576 - Pistachio Keynote at Learning 2009, Masie to India
April 23, 2009 Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 23, 2009.
#576 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,710 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
1. Masie to India: Meet Me in Mumbai or Delhi in May
2. “Pistachio” Keynote at Learning 2009 - Topic: Micro-Sharing
3. Advice to Laid Off Learning Professionals
1. Masie to India: Meet Me in Mumbai or Delhi in May: We will be traveling to India in mid-May for the wedding of a colleague, conversations with learning leaders and some exploring. I would like to meet Learning TRENDS readers and other colleagues for informal gatherings in Mumbai and Delhi. If you are based in India or have associates in either of those cities, please send me a note to emasie@masie.com I’ll tag back with a time and location for an informal gathering and drink together.
2. Laura Fitton Keynote at Learning 2009 - Topic: Micro-Sharing: We are pleased to announce that Laura Fitton will be a keynoter at Learning 2009. She is a leading expert on the use of “Micro-Sharing” in organizations, including tools like Twitter for collaboration. Known as “Pistachio” in the Twitter world, she is the author of the upcoming book, “Twitter for Dummies”.
Laura has a clear analysis of how collaboration is transforming and the benefits and challenges of microsharing/microblogging in organizations. Information and registration at http://www.learning2009.com/Updates.htm
3. Advice to Laid Off Learning Professionals: Unfortunately, my phone rings on a regular basis with the news that one of our learning colleagues has been laid off. I wanted to share a synopsis of my advice to folks that find themselves in this tough situation:
* Broaden Your Skills View: While your resume may be all about Learning and Development, you have a serious level of underlying and transferable skills outside of the learning area. For example, your management of developers can translate to management of supply chain providers. Many learning professionals think way too narrowly about their zone of competence.
* Ditch the Learning Language from Resumes and Interviews: Redact the learning jargon from your resume. If you have managed a Learning Management System, don’t use the phrase LMS without explaining it. Leave out phrases like modules, level 2 evaluation and more. You want to frame your accomplishments in terms and language that are understandable and valued by HR and others, outside of our field.
* Don’t Count on Consulting Revenue: A number of my colleagues have said that they were planning to do consulting in the months ahead until they got new jobs. It MAY happen, but there has been a significant cutback in consulting contracts and outsourcing projects. Starting as an independent learning consultant at this moment may not be the wisest approach. Often, promises to use you for contract work if you are free do not turn into real work or cash.
* Consider New Sectors: Look at higher education (especially Community Colleges) and local organizations that may be receiving Stimulus grants and would value your corporate learning and business contacts/perspectives. Also, investigate the Insurance, Health Care and Public Works Construction sectors for jobs.
* Apprenticeships: If you have significant severance or savings, consider doing an Apprenticeship for an organization in a new role or sector. Sometimes, these apprentice programs can be arranged or even subsidized through local employment/training agencies. If you can work for a short stint to obtain experience and a more diverse resume, consider it.
* Don’t Panic: While there are a lot of lay-offs in our area, there are also many new openings. Check out the Monster and ASTD job boards and make sure that you are letting people know that you are available AND flexible! Switching locations (even for a year) may be part of the solution.
* Time to ReSkill: I have 5 colleagues who are now starting new masters or doctorate programs as part of their personal ReSkilling processes.
* Build a Porfolio: Create a portfolio of the type of projects and work that you have accomplished. Key in on learning as a “performance change” factor to make your case for a new role. For example, a learning project designer has recently been hired as a Store Manager at a major retail organization, based on how they have moved the “cheese” in performance - once they showed that they also had project management and financial work in their portfolio.
Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie
Contact: emasie@masie.com
Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning & Government Briefing: April 28 - Washington, DC
* Social Learning LAB & Seminar: June 17 - 19, Saratoga Springs, NY
* Performance Support LAB & Seminar: June 24 - 26, Saratoga Springs, NY
* Learning 2009: Nov 8 to 11 - Orlando, FL
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com