The Art and Importance of the Project Manager’s Presence in Business
Published by Rami Matar | May 2025
In today’s competitive business environment, the presence of a dedicated and capable project manager is not just valuable, it is essential. A recent experience with a client in the U.S. shipping industry clearly demonstrates why strong project management can be the key to turning challenges into success stories.
Project Background: A B2C Vision Meets B2B Reality
In August 2024, a U.S.-based shipping company partnered with an independent freelancer to develop a B2C website targeting international customers who needed shipping services from the United States to global destinations. The initial agreement was informal and based on mutual trust.
However, as the project progressed, the company began receiving interest from local B2B clients, which led to an expanded project scope. The freelancer was able to create a basic B2B invoicing portal, but the core B2C website remained incomplete.
Delays, Missed Deadlines, and a Lack of Accountability
Although the freelancer was being paid regularly, their response time was slow and deadlines were repeatedly missed. Promised launch dates in December 2024 and then February 2025 passed without delivery. This caused frustration and lost opportunities for the business owner.
Project Recovery: The Value of Professional Oversight
At this point, the business owner contacted me to step in. I acted as a project liaison, retrieved all backend credentials, and assessed the situation. I then sourced several reputable service providers locally and internationally.
Within a short timeframe, I negotiated and signed a formal contract with a reliable agency. Together, we successfully delivered the full project within six weeks—something that hadn’t been achieved in over six months of previous efforts.
Key Takeaways for Business Owners
-
Structure matters: Trust is important, but must be supported by defined milestones and clear agreements.
-
Adaptability is essential: When project scopes change, proper leadership is critical to avoid confusion and misalignment.
-
Delays come at a cost: Time lost means missed revenue and damaged business credibility.
-
A project manager brings alignment: By coordinating vendors, managing timelines, and ensuring accountability, the project manager turns vision into reality.
As the business owner told me later, “I don’t mind paying more, as long as I can trust the team, communicate clearly, and see results.”
That insight captures the essence of why the project manager's role is so critical in today's business landscape.
Need help managing your next project?
Contact me to learn how professional project management can protect your investment and deliver your goals on time and with confidence.
