1. “Learning-Mix”: Learning Theme & Challenge!
2. Video 4 Learning - User Demand Grows.
3. Kinect for Windows - Gesture Based Design?

1. “Learning-Mix”: Learning Theme & Challenge! One of my favorite activities at the start of a new year is to scan and select a few Learning Themes and Challenges to focus the work of The MASIE Center and as a core thrust at Learning 2012. Our first theme for 2012 is:

“Learning-Mix”

Organizations around the world are reporting an ever increasing “Mix” of how learners are accessing content, getting knowledge, blending personal and corporate technology, designing learning experiences, accessing formal and external expertise - and more! The “Learning-Mix” can be seen in the blend of resources that a worker accesses, ranging from structured classes and e-learning to on-demand user content, to personal social networks, to reformatting the flow of courses and to ever increasing uses of socially connected expertise and performance support. Increasingly, the learner is designing a small to large part of his/her own learning.

At Learning 2012, we will dive deep into the “Learning-Mix”: how it is challenging design assumptions, staffing models and working with (or without) Learning Management Systems. The MASIE Center will be exploring how we mix instructional design with learner choices and external resources. I would love to get a few notes from TRENDS readers on how the “Learning-Mix” in your organization is shifting and how our learners are blending some of their own learning experiences. Send a note to emasie@masie.com

2. Video 4 Learning - User Demand Grows. One of the most dramatic shifts in user demand can be seen in the area of short, video-based content and support. Learning leaders from around the world are reporting dramatic increases in You-Tube-like video segments for workers. We are also seeing a marked increase in the role of video on webinars and the rise of video chat/telepresence delivering learning and coaching resources to the workplace. Our most popular course at The MASIE Center has been the Video 4 Learning LAB & Seminar and we have just redesigned it to adjust to rapidly changing technologies (smart phone video capture), shifting prices (plasma screens for $400) and evolving expectations of both employees and even customers for video access. I will be leading the Video 4 Learning LAB from April 2 to 4 in Saratoga Springs. Each participant will receive a high def video camera and work on targeted learning projects during this hands-on event. Space is limited and online registration is now open at http://www.masie.com

3. Kinect for Windows - Gesture Based Design? Today, Microsoft is extending the Kinect system, a gesture based control element from the XBox gaming box to be accessible from Windows 7. Our Learning CONSORTIUM is starting an investigation this week to explore how learners’ gestures (hand motion to move a page or even request access to a nano-coach), facial recognition in webinars and embedded performance support might work. We are very excited to explore how gestures, expressions and context recognition can be added to design. You can check out this technology at kinectforwindows.org Our Learning CONSORTIUM will be reporting the investigation’s efforts and beta examples in the months ahead.

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2012 - Oct 21 - 24, 2012 - Orlando, Florida.
* New: Video for Learning LAB – April 2-4 in Saratoga Springs
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

1. CES Gadget Show - Impacts for Learning?
2. Gesture Based/Reaction Based Content Response.
3. So Many Thanks for Your Kind and Warm Personal Notes!

1. CES Gadget Show - Impacts for Learning?: I have 8 colleagues who are attending the CES/Gadget Technology Show in Las Vegas this week, reporting on the implications of the announcements for our world of learning. In a nutshell, there really were very few major announcements at CES that would shock or rock your budgets for the coming year. But, there are some trends that we should be tracking that may have implications for our field. Here are a few of the comments from our “reporters” in Las Vegas:

A- Monitors, Screens and Interactions: “The city is packed with hundreds of new larger and more interactive screens. The size, brightness, thinness and the affordability of screens are rapidly increasing.  In fact, soon it will be difficult to choose a projector if we can get a 70+ inch screen with more interactivity that can be seen in most classrooms. 3D, while interesting to watch, still is ahead of a real ability to leverage it in a face- to-face setting. Keep an eye on upcoming announcements from Apple, Google and others extending the Screen/TV/Internet connections.”
B- Skype/Video for the Room: “There are several new and highly affordable camera/microphone connections being displayed. From $80 to $300, you can turn a plasma/LCD screen into an interactive video conference. Watch for more integration with Skype, Microsoft Lync and other video/communication platforms.”
C- Ultrabook Confusion: “While there was a lot of hype about the role of the Ultrabook, as an alternative to the tablet, no one was seeing these hitting the jackpot.  Perhaps most missing, was the lack of Apps, that would give the Ultrabook more a tablet + PC capability.”
D- Gaming Moving to Next: “Some of the most interesting announcements were done off the main stage, as Gaming companies were showing simpler App-like functions that organizations could leverage as part of their content. Stay tuned!”

We will do a more comprehensive review this weekend, after all of the reports are in. Thanks to our Vegas spotters.

2. Gesture-Based/Reaction-Based Content Response: One other “aha” from CES was the announcement that Microsoft is shifting the Kinect, which was a gesture-based extension of XBOX, to a Windows environment on Feb 1st. This weekend, Microsoft made the Kinect system available to each of the high schools in the FIRST Robotics competition as another way in which devices could be controlled by human interaction. The MASIE Center will be doing some lab experiments in in the next month to look at how gestures and even reactions of learners could shift how content is displayed. The Kinect will be one system, but we will also experiment with laptop and tablet-based systems. Stay tuned.

3. So Many Thanks for Your Kind and Warm Personal Notes! I was flooded with over 900 notes from TRENDS readers after sharing the news of my head injury and fall in Bali during our Asian trip in December. Your comments and prayers have been so warmly received. I started to answer each one, but I’ll rely on a TRENDS note to say thanks. I am feeling much better. My brain is functioning at almost full level (95%) and I am getting my back into better shape. It was a scary moment and I feel very blessed to be fully recovering. But, most importantly, the trust and thanks from learning colleagues around the world has been inspiring. Thanks again!

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2012 - Oct 21 - 24, 2012 - Orlando, Florida.
* Video for Learning LAB - January in Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support LAB - January in Saratoga Springs
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

1. Starting 2012 With Learning Labs for Learning Professionals!
2. Asia Trip was Awesome - And, Elliott Heals After Bali Fall.

1. Starting 2012 With Learning Labs for Learning Professionals: After a month in Asia, I am pleased to be back in Saratoga Springs, NY! We have two in-depth labs for learning professionals in the coming weeks.  There are a few seats left in each of these programs. Consider joining us:

* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar!
Led by Elliott Masie
January 23-25, 2012 - Saratoga Springs, NY
Info & Registration: http://www.masie.com

* Performance Support & Workplace GPS!
Led by Bob Mosher, Conrad Gottfredson
January 18 to 20, 2012 - Saratoga Springs
Info & Registration: http://www.masie.com

2. Asia Trip was Awesome - And, Elliott Heals After Bali Fall: Our 26 day learning trip to Asia was awesome. We visited learning colleagues in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore and other countries where we learned about the rapid growth of Starbucks, the plans for Disney English, the work at Shanghai General Motors and many other organizations. Our Chinese, American and global learning colleagues were so gracious to us. Everywhere we went, the learning conversation rapidly evolved to Learning Globally. In the coming weeks, watch for new programs from The MASIE Center on this key topic!

Elliott Falls and Heals: Well, sometimes accidents happen. One morning in Bali, on the path to an outdoor massage, something happened and I ended up falling 9 feet, gashing my head and ending up pretty rattled. The good news is that I got great care. When I returned to Saratoga, a CT scan showed that I had 2 small brain bleeds, but my brain is alive, active and will be deeply involved in learning issues in the coming weeks. A bit of rest and loads of great support are helping me to heal. I will be fine and really appreciate the notes from colleagues around the world.

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2012 - Oct 21 - 24, 2012 - Orlando, Florida.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar - Jan 23-25 - Saratoga Springs.
* Performance Support/Workplace GPS - Jan 18-20 - Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM.
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

Start 2012 with a hands-on, deep dive Lab & Seminar designed for Learning Professionals. The MASIE Center invites you and your colleagues to participate in one of our unique programs:

* Performance Support & Workplace GPS!
Led by Bob Mosher & Conrad Gottredson. Host: Bob Baker, MASIE Center CLO.
January 18-20, 2012 - Saratoga Springs, NY Info & Registration: http://www.masie.com

* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar!
Led by Elliott Masie.
January 23-25, 2012 - Saratoga Springs, NY Info & Registration: http://www.masie.com

Each of these programs is a roll-up-your-sleeves experience in our 10,000 square foot MASIE Center Learning LAB in Saratoga Springs, NY. Space is limited - register early!

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2012 - Oct 21 - 24, 2012 - Orlando, Florida.
* Video for Learning LAB & Seminar - Jan 23-25 - Saratoga Springs.
* Performance Support/Workplace GPS - Jan 18-20 - Saratoga Springs.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

1. Learning Video Clips & Interviews Galore.
2. Cool CLO Position Posted.
3. Happy Thanksgiving to TRENDS Readers.

1. Learning Video Clips & Interviews Galore: We are pleased to announce the posting of over 12 hours of video from keynotes and interviews at Learning 2011. Watch interviews with Inventor Dean Kamen, learning leaders from Walmart and Starbucks, and much more. Our producer Lauren has broken these interviews into segments focused on key questions; you can use them or pass them along. Stay tuned for some segments from my interviews with President Clinton and John Lithgow, to be posted in a few weeks. Go to http://www.learningtalks.com for the videos from Learning 2011. Great job, Lauren!

2. Cool CLO Position Posted: There is a very interesting and important job opening as the new Chief Learning Officer of the Veterans Health Administration, a part of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs.  This is a critical role in one of the most important government agencies in the United States. If you are interested in this opportunity or know of an appropriate candidate, please point them to this URL: http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/302349300

3. Happy Thanksgiving to TRENDS Readers: May our Learning TRENDS readers have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving holiday.  Friends, family, good food and thoughts about all that we have to be thankful for are so key, especially at a time of change and uncertainty.  Here is a Mohawk Native American Prayer of Thanksgiving - from four hundred years ago:

Oh Great Spirit, Creator of all things;
Human Beings, trees, grass, berries.
Help us, be kind to us.
Let us be happy on earth.
Let us lead our children
To a good life and old age.
These our people; give them good minds.
To love one another.
Oh Great Spirit,
Be kind to us.
Give these people the favor.
To see green trees,
Green grass, flowers, and berries.
This next spring;
So we all meet again.
Oh Great Spirit,
We ask of you.

Thanksgiving greetings to our Learning Trends colleagues around the world.

Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2012 - Oct 21 - 14, 2012 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

1. Learning 2011 Learnings.
2. Masie Trip to Asia Set for December.

1. Learning 2011 Learnings: We are in the debrief and “recovery” stage after Learning 2011, which took place last week in Orlando with 2,046 colleagues participating. From 90 minutes with President Clinton to a storytelling extravaganza with John Lithgow, from keynote presentations about “Transactive Memory” to Undercover Boss Experiences and the over 240 seminars, there is much to process, publish and reflect upon. Over the next 2 weeks, we will release dozens of hours of video and other content.  But, here are some resources for your learning pleasure:

* Learning Wiki: We have placed content, video and participant perspectives on the seminars and keynotes at http://www.learningwiki.com  Visit the CONTENT section and you will see this grow in the days ahead.
* Learning 2012 Dates: October 21 to 24, 2012 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Early Registration will open next week for those who want to use 2011 funds for next year’s event.
* Video Segments Posted: Starting later this week, we will publish most of the keynote presentations in full and small segment lengths. These will be linked from our sites and we will make an announcement in Learning TRENDS.

Thanks to Team MASIE for their energetic work on this incredible conference and I am deeply honored by the participation of such a diverse set of global learning colleagues.

2. Masie Trip to Asia Set for December: We will be going to parts of Asia for one month, in December, focusing on Learning Changes in that region. I would love to meet any of our Learning TRENDS readers and colleagues - or colleagues of colleagues - in these regions:

- Shanghai, China: December 3 to 6th
- Beijing, China: December 8 to 11th
- Hong Kong, China: December 12 to 14
- Bangkok, Thailand: December 15 to 19

If you are located in this region, would you send me a note to emasie@masie.com and let me know.

We will also be blogging about Learning in Asia during this trip and these will be linked from Learning TRENDS.
Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

1. eBook Released: Learning Perspectives 2011.
2. CNN Video for Learning Experience - More Segments.
3. Design Model - Welcoming & “Anticipatory Set”.
4. Last Minute Registrations Coming In.

1. eBook Released: Learning Perspectives 2011: We are pleased to announce this year’s Learning Perspectives 2011 e-Book was just released in open source for your download and reading. We have articles from several dozen “30 Under 30” learning professionals, with their views on the changing nature of our field. In addition, Bob Baker, CLO of the MASIE Center, has a detailed perspective on the role of “Checklists” for the learning world. And, Nigel Paine and I have added articles about challenges in the field.  Download it at http://learning2011.com/ebook

2. CNN Video for Learning Experience - More Segments: CNN is leading a fascinating activity at our upcoming event. It’s called the CNN Video for Learning Experience and  2,000 people will practice gathering and editing stories using their mobile devices. To prepare for this, CNN has made several short video clips about producing simple story segments on a phone: http://www.learning2011.com/cnnvideo

3. Design Model - Welcoming & “Anticipatory Set”: How learners come to a learning experience has an enormous impact on the outcomes. I learned that from the work of Madeline Hunter, who called it “Anticipatory Set”. In our design model, we have been working intentionally on getting people ready for our Learning 2011 event. Here is another example: we produced a quick video yesterday from the lobby of our hotel, setting “anticipation” and framing the upcoming experience: http://www.learning2011.com/welcomevid

4. Last Minute Registrations Coming In: Believe it or not, we are getting a slew of last minute registrations for Learning 2011, which starts on Sunday, and we are ready and able to accommodate you. Disney has rooms on property and we have added a few extra bags, guides and meals. Just go to http://www.learning2011.com and register, or even join us on site and we will handle it when you get here.  

Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

Taking the Train to Learning :)

Yes, Learning TRENDS readers, I am about to get on the Amtrak overnight train on Tuesday morning in New York City for the trip to Learning 2011 in Orlando.

This is a yearly ritual. First, it is sort of funny to take the train to Learning, but, it really does work for me. I get a chance to look out the window, reflect on the field, prepare for 2,000 colleagues at Learning 2011 and enjoy a change of scenery. By time I arrive on Wednesday morning at 10:00 am, I feel as though I’m refreshed and in a new mode.

Design, teaching and facilitating is in large part mental: we have to get our heads in the right place and nurture a sense of readiness. The train does that for me.

I get a small bedroom, facing the backyard of America as I rock and roll down to Florida. There is a diverse mixture of folks on board and I can even stay connected on bandwidth from either Amtrak or my iPad.

To check out our latest Design Blog, including last minute design decisions and plans for the train trip, please visit: http://www.learning2011.com/512-Content-Train-to-Orlando.htm  If you want to try Skyping to the “Training Elliott”, send me a note to emasie@masie.com

There are still spaces and we have just gone over the 2,000 mark of participants.  Last minute registrations available at: http://www.learning2011.com

Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

Quick Poll on Your Learning Preferences:

Please take 3 minutes to RANK ORDER your preferences for learning a major new Process or Product at work (eg. classroom, eLearning, webinar, OJT).

http://www.learning2011.com/511-Learning-Preferences-Poll.htm

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

Update:

We got exciting news today. President Bill Clinton, our keynoter at Learning 2011, will be releasing his new book “Back to Work” on the morning after his appearance at Learning 2011.

His book details a perspective of how to re-charge the economy with an emphasis on job creation and expansion. In addition to his speech, I will be interviewing President Clinton for 30 minutes on this and other topics.

Read the blog entry at: http://www.learning2011.com/510-President-Clinton-Book-Nov-8-Release.htm

And, if you can still make last minute plans, we would love to have you join 2,000 global learning colleagues at Learning 2011: http://www.learning2011.com

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

1. Buttons and Skins: Small Design Details.
2. Dean Kamen on Education Changes – Business Week.
3. Betsy Myers on Leadership - ABCNews.
4. Peter Capelli on Skills - Wall Street Journal.

1. Buttons and Skins - Small Design Details: As TRENDS readers know, we are now 10 days away from Learning 2011 and I am obsessing over final design details. Here are two fun design decisions that we made:

* Buttons: We just received 21,280 Buttons for the 2,000 participants - a form of wearable Social Networking. From “Mentor Wanted” to “Aging LMS” to “Dexter Fan”, these buttons are just one way for our colleagues to have fun and connect with each other. Check out the photo at http://learning2011.com/506-21-280-Buttons-Made.htm
* iPad Skin? Yup, got to dress up your iPad if it is going high definition on huge screens. So, one of the design decisions was to create a “skin” for my tablet. Picture at http://learning2011.com/508-Tablet-Skin-10-Days.htm

Our Learning 2011 Keynoters have been in the news a lot this week.  Here is a sample:

2. Dean Kamen on Education Changes - Business Week: Dean, who is the inventor of the Segway, founder of FIRST® Robotics and a colleague of mine, is interviewed in Business Week on what we should do with education: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/how-to-fix-the-education-crisis-10132011.html

3. Betsy Myers on Leadership - ABCNews: Betsy, another close friend and the author of “Take The Lead”, was interviewed by ABC News on how to think differently about leadership development - http://abcnews.go.com/Business/video/lead-leadership-advice-14528705

4. Peter Cappelli on Skills - Wall Street Journal: Peter, one of the leading experts on workforce demographics and skills, wrote a provocative article in the Wall Street Journal on Why Companies Can’t Find the Employees They Need: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204422404576596630897409182.html

We are about to take our 2,000th registration and there are still rooms for last minute sign-ups.  Go to http://www.learning2011.com

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

1. Questions Please for President Clinton & John Lithgow!
2. K-12 Learning, Higher Ed Learning, Corporate Learning - Connect!
3. Godspell and Chinglish Rock on Broadway

1. Questions Please for President Clinton & John Lithgow! I need some interesting questions for President Clinton, John Lithgow and Dean Kamen - all keynoters at Learning 2011, which starts in just 13 days.  Please take a few minutes and send me ideas for questions about Learning, Employment, Globalization, Storytelling, Innovation and Science/Technology for these fascinating speakers.

Just go to: http://www.learning2011.com/questions

I won’t be able to use all of your questions, but I will give credit and will pass along responses we get at Learning 2011. There is still time to be a last minute registrant - hotel rooms, discount airfares and space still available!

2. K-12 Learning, Higher Ed Learning, Corporate Learning - Connect! I wrote an article that appeared in CLO Magazine today about our need to build bridges between learning professionals in the K-12, Higher Education and Corporate Learning spaces.  We are not that different! Here is link: http://learning2011.com/500-We-Are-Not-That-Different.htm

3. Godspell and Chinglish Rock on Broadway:  As many of your know, MASIE Productions is now involved in the revival on Broadway of Godspell and a new play about Chinese/American “communication” called Chinglish. Both are in previews and really rock. If you are heading to New York City in the next few months and would like to see these plays, send me a note to emasie@masie.com   The message of Godspell is one of love, faith, community and acceptance - and as a Jewish producer of a play about Jesus, it is remarkable.  Details at http://www.godspell.com

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

1. CNN Video for Learning Lesson for 2,000!
2. Google and Pearson Release Free LMS for Higher Ed.

1. CNN Video for Learning Lesson for 2,000! We are so honored that CNN will be teaching 2,000 people, at one time, how to use their mobile phones to shoot and edit short and functional learning videos.  Imagine 2,000 colleagues, each with a mobile device, experimenting with how to frame, sequence and even edit a video - all on a mobile device.  Lisa Pedrego, Ben Coyte and their team of CNN colleagues will be leading this mass teaching experiment at Learning 2011 - and it all starts with a short video on how to make videos using your phone.  Check out the 2 minute 12 second example and first step in this learning process at: http://www.learning2011.com/cnnvideo

Once again, we are deeply grateful to CNN for bringing their skills and perspectives about the changing role of mobile created video as a component in learning! 

2. Google and Pearson Release Free LMS for Higher Ed: Quite a bit of buzz has been generated by the announcement of a deal between Pearson Publishing and Google, rolling out a free LMS for higher education institutions that are using Google Apps.  This is targeted at both face-to-face as well as online learning and it will be interesting to track how it impacts the marketplace.  OpenClass, which is being tested at nine institutions currently, offers a spate of features targeted at social media and integration. Obviously, Pearson’s hope is that the platform will be a marketplace advantage for their other content and educational resources. More info at: http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/pearson-and-google-jump-into-learning-management-systems/33636

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

1. Archive of 7 Learning Challenges & Trends for 2011 Now Live.
2. Infographics Minutes, Ireland and Design Blog.

1. Archive of 7 Learning Challenges & Trends for 2011 Now Live: We have just posted the archived presentation - audio and graphics - from the webinar that I presented on Tuesday. We had over 1,000 people on the webinar and many who could not make it, so here is the 60 minute presentation:

http://www.learning2011.com/challenges

2. Infographics Minutes, Ireland and Design Blog: I am in New York City today, for meetings on the design of Learning 2011. Check out my blog about Infographics Minutes, Ireland and Godspell. 3 meetings and 3 design elements added.  http://www.learning2011.com/designblog

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com

1. Great by Choice - Jim Collins’ Latest Book.
2. America the Vulnerable - New Book on Cyber Security Threat.
3. How Planning a Wedding and a Conference Are Similar - Seats & Uncle Mort!

1. “Great by Choice” - Jim Collins’ Latest Book: Today, we start with 2 books that I would like to recommend to TRENDS readers. The first is “Great by Choice” by Jim Collins, author of “Good to Great”.  He and Morten Hansen take a look at the type of unstable environments faced by leaders today. Some of their findings were surprising and intriguing:

“The best leaders were not more risk taking, more visionary, and more creative than the comparisons; they were more disciplined, more empirical and more paranoid.”

They also look at the challenge and opportunity to “scale” innovation and to blend creativity with discipline. Check it out - a good read!

2. “America the Vulnerable” - New Book on Cyber Security Threat: The next book may get you depressed or scared, but it is key for learning professionals to have a sense of the growing cyber security threats, particularly as we leverage more technology to create, share and access knowledge in our organizations.  “America the Vulnerable: Inside the New Threat Matrix of Digital Espionage, Crime, and Warfare” is by Joel Brenner, who was the Inspector General of NSA and national counterintelligence executive in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Once again, this is a sobering perspective that is needed in our corporate executive suites.

3. How Planning a Wedding and a Conference Are Similar - Seats & Uncle Mort! On a much lighter note, read my recent blog entry about how planning a wedding is quite similar to producing a conference. I detail very specific numbers that are part of the complex handicapping for how many people will be at Learning 2011. How do we plan for last minute registrations, walk-ins, cancellations and other realities of any event? And, how to deal with ordering food, bags and furniture for 2,000 people, give or take a few hundred?  http://www.learning2011.com/489-Like-a-Wedding-28-Days.htm

Complete 104 page Program Guide downloadable at http://www.learning2011.com/guide

Yours in Learning,

Elliott Masie.
email: emasie@masie.com

MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2011 - Nov 6 to 9, 2011 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com