Darwin’s theory is relevant now, more than ever

When Darwin first proposed his evolutionary theory, where he described the "natural selection" a.k.a "survival of the fittest" mechanism little would he have guessed that he would one day revolutionize scientific thinking and usher in an age of enlightenment. 

Most of us could recall the basics of the theory from what has been drilled into our heads back in our school days, i.e. the fittest organisms survive and pass on their genes to the next generation. There is, of course, a lot more to it than what this watered-down version conveys, but this should do for our analogy.

On the surface, our current global crisis appears to be a brand-new entity. But that is not the case. Our world has witnessed many similar pandemics in the past, plenty of which were significantly larger in scope and gravity. A case in point is the Bubonic Plague, which was so terrifying that it even received the moniker, "The Black Death". Over 200 million people were killed, and anywhere from 30% to 60% of Europe's population lost their lives. 

This reference is not intended to downplay the devastation that COVID-19 has wreaked upon us, but to try and ascertain the fact on how a comparatively smaller pandemic gained such notoriety? The answer, I believe, lies in technology and social media. We are interconnected to such a great extent that we are fully aware of everything that is going on across the farthest reaches of the globe. This context was simply unfathomable to our ancestors. Now, due to extensive media coverage, we are made fully aware of the human cost of this pandemic on a more personal level. 

Businesses are experiencing huge difficulties, and their workspaces have been pushed to online. Economies have been severely hit, and governments and the healthcare industry are racing to develop a vaccine. Witnessing this, we can realize just how unprepared were we to face this crisis. Yet, adversity has always had a way of bringing out the best in us, as a species. There are plenty of historical examples to prove it. For instance, in my previous article, I had illustrated how Sir Isaac Newton's quarantine years were the highlight of his career. Now, I would like to take a different approach and discuss the aptness of Darwin's theory in today's world.

The fittest organisms survive because they are special. In today's world, especially being average will not cut it. One needs to rise above the rest to be heard among the sea of voices. The most productive way to spend one's lockdown would be to take up learning challenges and acquire new skills. By being proactive, every professional could make use of this lean period and arm themselves with specialized certifications. This move might grant them an edge over the competition in the job market later. In this regard, Darwin's theory is more relevant now than it has ever been.

With countless professionals facing unemployment and shrinking job prospects, the job market has gotten substantially more competitive. So, to survive, one needs to be the fittest for the task at hand. And, the certifications are a surefire way to project one's capabilities. For senior professionals in the project management community, I believe there are no greater options than the PgMP? / PfMP? certifications to carve a niche for themselves in this space. Let us now look at the recent stats on the two certifications to find out who among us have raised the standards for others to emulate.

PgMP? Stats:

We at vCare Project Management have been working tirelessly to provide value to our students. Keeping in line with the current trend, we have moved our training programs online, and our students could not be any happier. This move has reflected in our stats which indicate that we have supported 13% of this year's global PgMP?s. As on 3rd July 2020, the global PgMP? count is a total of 3225 individuals, of whom we have aided 275 individuals (9% of the total).

Despite the ravages of COVID-19, 49 professionals have taken up their PgMP? certification between 1st March and 3rd July 2020, of whom two are our students. Kudos to all 49 of them for remaining perseverant in the face of adversity. 

Special thanks to Amarnath Reddy, Ahmad Hassan and Arif Suri (Application Support Service) for entrusting me with their PgMP? certification journey.

Below, you can view my webinar with Ahmad Hassan, wherein he discusses his PgMP? success story, along with important questions surrounding program management being addressed through a Q&A format. I am also planning for a similar free webinar session with Amarnath Reddy in the coming weeks. Will keep you all posted on it.

PgMP? Fact File:

• The USA still reigns champion at the top of this list, with 1265 PgMP?s, which accounts for 39% of the global total. Eight new PgMP?s were added between 1st March and 3rd July. 
• India has added seven new PgMP?s, while Canada and UAE have increased their tally by six and two, respectively.

PfMP? Stats:

In the period between 16th March and 1st July 2020, 17 new professionals have successfully achieved their PfMP? certification. Kudos to all of them. I am delighted to announce that one among them is my student. Global PfMP? count is now at 881, with 37 of them (4%) being aided by our services.

Special thanks to Adrian P. Bottomley, for trusting my guidance. He has agreed to appear for a free live webinar with me in the coming weeks. Will keep you all posted on it.

PfMP? Fact File:

• The USA has managed to hold onto its spot at the top of the list, with 326 PfMP?s.
• India has finally caught up with Canada and is now tied at 72 PfMP?s, which places both at second place.

• Saudi Arabia has added four new PfMP?s, putting its total at 63, thus landing it in the third spot.

For those of you in the project management space, who wish to stay ahead of the curve, consider signing up for our online programs. We will guide you through all the facets of the PgMP? / PfMP? certification journey. Taking into consideration the hardships that companies and professionals are going through currently, we are offering multiple discounts and flexible payment options to these programs. These programs are conducted over customized timings across different time zones to cater to the requests of the students.  

Given below are the various online programs' links. Kindly share this information with anyone who you believe might benefit from it.

PgMP?: https://bit.ly/2oBKQXQ

PfMP?: https://bit.ly/39jOZSf

PMP?: https://bit.ly/2BU0mFp

E-Learning: https://bit.ly/3b2HOid

For any questions related to Project Management career, training and certifications, you can book an obligation free 15 minutes session with me by visiting https://bit.ly/2SbhTOK.

PgMP4U is an online mobile application that helps one prepare for the PgMP? exam on the go. Our app gives the essential support required for cracking the PgMP? exam.

 iOS | Apple: https://apple.co/2QUngkx; Android | Google Play: https://bit.ly/2QVM5gg

PgMP4U LinkedIn Group: https://bit.ly/2SBPwIp  

PfMP4U LinkedIn Group: https://bit.ly/31P7GKR

Subscribe and follow my Podcasts and interviews with Project Management Experts on YouTube at https://bit.ly/2NDY8wd

Subscribe to vCare Project Management YouTube Channel to view our PgMP? and PfMP? Success Stories: https://bit.ly/2YF0wJl

"Working together for success."