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Sep072008

542: New Performance Metrics?; Chome; Hoof Wins!

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Sept 7, 2008.
#542 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,384 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 1,308 Colleagues Registered!
Save Money: Early Registration Still Available

1. New Performance Metrics for Workforce?
2. Chrome - Google’s Browser - Potential & Experiments
3. Yeah! Head Heart Hoof Wins First Race!

1. New Performance Metrics for Workforce? There is a fascinating article in Business Week about a new book: The Numerati, by Stephen Baker. I would urge you to read the excerpt of this book at:

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/aug2008/tc20080827_387069.htm

The book and article explores the growing use of new performance metrics and modeling of workplace behavior. As more of our work is done online, the ability to gather data on individual workers, workgroups and the entire workforce related to metrics includes:

* pattern of social networking use
* email handling (eg. speed of response or personal to work ratios)
* time spent on the phone
* daily time and pattern of surfing the web
* number of meetings per week
* most productive time

This will trigger an interesting discussion about the growing use of data mining of work actions to model and manage performance. We will be hosting a Book Club on The Numerati and the Implications for Learning & OD, at Learning 2008. I would be interested in hearing from TRENDS readers about reactions to these approaches. Send me an email to emasie@masie.com

2. Chrome - Google’s Browser - Potential & Experiments: Google has entered the Internet Browser field with a beta called Chrome. At first glance, this browser is fast and has more integration of browsing and search. It is worth a few minutes to download this and give it a try at home or work: http://www.google.com/chrome

I am pleased to see additional competition in the browser field and a shift to a more media-centric profile of how people are using the web. The front page of Chrome is a visual representation of most recent and frequent sites visited by the user. Watch for additional functionality that will make this (and other browsers) more customizable for knowledge and learning purposes.

3. Yeah! Head Heart Hoof Wins First Race! Congratulations to our 2 year old horse, Head Heart Hoof. This Saturday, he won his second race at Belmont - by over 6 lengths.  It was a rainy day and the hard work by him and his trainer, Seth Benzel, paid off as he won his “maiden” race. He will now head towards bigger and better races. If you would like to send Head Heart Hoof an email, he checks daily from his barn stall at hoof@masie.com

Learning 2008 Update: We now have over 1,308 learning professionals registered for Learning 2008. Save $100 with Early Registration. We are starting to fill up at our main hotel. Check it out at http://www.learning2008.com

Yours in learning,
Elliott
Contact: emasie@masie.com

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