658 - Classroom Temperatures, Random Leader Selection & More
April 1, 2011 Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 1, 2011.
#658 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
55,244 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
1. Depreciation Deductible for Knowledge Loss?
2. Classroom Temperature Research - The Big Chill.
3. Random Selection of Leaders - Wheel of Management.
4. Fertility Rates of Online Learners Drop?
1. Depreciation Deductible for Knowledge Loss? There are several cases making their way through tax court at the moment related to Knowledge Management and the tax implications of outdated skills and information. With the speed of business increasing, organizations are realizing that their investments in training and learning programs may actually have a shorter “half-life”. So, three Fortune 500 companies have taken the bold move of attempting to declare an accelerated depreciation deduction for loss of knowledge in their workforce. For example, one technology company has calculated that their system changes almost 34% each year. Therefore, their balance sheet of Workforce Knowledge should reflect a 34% depreciation or loss each year. Another company is attempting to claim that their older workers are showing signs of less long term corporate memory, which should also be reflected in a tax deduction. If this trend continues and is validated by higher courts, we may see the extreme of a company showing the bulk of their profits resulting from high speed knowledge loss by their workers. LMS companies take note: you might want to start building a “ROI of Memory Loss” module to sell to the accountants of your current learning clients.
2. Classroom Temperature Research - The Big Chill: I spend a lot of my time leading seminars in a classroom. One of the most vexing problems is to get the room temperature just right. You would think we could just set the thermostat to a comfortable temp and that would be it. But, NO! People have diverse needs and desires for temperature settings. We have developed a guideline for predicting temperature settings for a class, based on content, difficulty, time of day and controversy of the topic. Here are a few of The MASIE Center recommendations:
* Start of Class: 70 Degrees F.
* Presenting a New Pricing List (with 10% increases): Increase Temperature by 10%.
* People With Myers Briggs of ENTP: Place them right below the ceiling fan or blower.
* Teaching a New ERP or HR System: 64 Degrees F. If an Oracle System - 1 Degree Lower.
* When Teaching a Video Online Seminar from Hawaii: Instructor should wear a sweater or long sleeves.
I recently purchased an app for my iPhone, which allows me to upload the agenda for the class and easily shift temperatures as we move through modules. The classroom of the future may contain personalized thermostats for each learner, allowing them to select the right learning air temperature in the 3 feet surrounding them.
3. Random Selection of Leaders - Wheel of Management: We are always on the lookout for new models of Leadership Development. I was amused and fascinated by a technique used by a company in Finland - “Random Selection”. With a younger workforce, they were experiencing some team issues following the selection of one person to be promoted to leadership. Plus, they reported that their younger workers were less interested in careers that involved managing people. So, they adopted a Game Show model. Every six months, new leaders for each team are selected at random using a large “Wheel of Fortune”. The name of each employee is placed on the wheel and the newest employee gets to spin the wheel. When the wheel stops, that person is placed in a 3 week blended learning experience on management competencies and then they are declared “Leaders”. If the wheel lands right between two names, both are made “co-leaders” and the unit experiments with collaborative leadership.
First reports are that there are “no significant differences” between this random model and their more traditional selection criteria. One upside is how excited everyone is on the day of the wheel spin. People bring in covered dishes, music and it keeps high interest in leadership. They are preparing to experiment with using this technique for their CEO starting next year. Stay tuned for more updates.
4. Fertility Rates of Online Learners Drop? Media has been reporting a dramatic decrease in the fertility rates of couples, where the male was getting an online degree while working. It seems that laptops on the lap raise the temperature of the lap by 2 degrees, resulting in some changes. When I mentioned this to the Association for Online Universities, they tried to pay me $30,000 not to mention it. But, TRENDS will always be on the side of full disclosure. So, please look into taping a pot holder on the bottom of your laptop while taking online MBA courses from home. Your future children will thank you!
April Fools is my favorite day for writing TRENDS. If you want to read a few of our previous April Fools editions check out #617, #572 #513 and #439.
And one favor: if I did “fool” you, send me a quick note to emasie@masie.com
Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie
email: emasie@masie.com
MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* LeadershipDev 2011 - June 14 & 15 - Las Vegas, NV.
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Learning Essentials LAB - May in Saratoga Springs.
* Video for Learning LAB - May in Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com