527 - Instant Messaging for Learning Professionals

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - July 1, 2008.
#527 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,265 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Orlando.

1. Instant Messaging for Learning Professionals.
2. Learning Leaders at Learning 2008.

1. Instant Messaging for Learning Professionals: Every hour, dozens of learning professionals are having “instant” conversations with each other in LearningTown. Our free community for Learning Professionals has just added an IM functionality.  This is a great way to have a discussion with a new colleague from a nearby location or someone from across the globe.  Just this morning, I chatted with a few new colleagues from China, India, Denver and Chile.  Go to LearningTown at http://www.learningtown.com.  If you are new, just set up a profile. You can click on the front page to IM any member who is online at the time.  Enjoy!

2. Learning Leaders at Learning 2008: We are honored to announce the first wave of Chief Learning Officers and key Learning Leaders at Learning 2008.  These senior executives will be facilitating “Big Question” conversations, participating in CLO Lunch Panels and providing in-depth coaching on key learning issues.  They include Learning Leaders from Kellogg’s, JetBlue, JCPenny, Veteran’s Administration, Wal-Mart, Xerox, CIA and many more.  Check out the Learning 2008 Learning Leaders and Keynoters at http://www.learning2008.com.  There are over 713 colleagues registered already for Learning 2008.

* On a Personal Note: I will be having dinner and a small group conversation with Senator Obama next week in New York City. I would love to share ideas from colleagues about key issues that are impacting the world of learning, education and industry. Please send me a personal note to emasie@masie.com 

Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs  (4 Seats Left)
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,045 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

526 - Goodbye to a Master Interviewer and Mentor Supreme

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 15, 2008.
#526 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,254 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Orlando.

Tim Russert - Master Interviewer and Mentor Supreme

Today was incredibly sad for me, as my Sunday mornings were always shared with Tim Russert as he moderated the U.S. television show, Meet the Press. 

There are two lessons that we can take from the life and craft of Tim Russert: Interviewing and Mentoring.

Tim was the ultimate interviewer!  Over the years, I have watched, studied and replayed Tim’s interviews. He raised the artform of interviewing to a new level. Tim spent a week preparing for a one-hour show. He saw the role of the interview as a vehicle for creating a coherent storyline. Tim was brave with his questions and yet avoided the “gotcha”. He was a low-ego advocate for the learning needs of the viewers. He asked questions that would stretch the political figure beyond the predictable.

We should spend a lot more time using the interview as a tool as learning professionals. I have migrated my events from set keynoters to on-stage interviews with senior leaders. Tim’s style and approach to interviewing is a great role model for learning professionals.

The other side of Tim Russert I just learned about in the last 72 hours following his death: he was the ultimate mentor! To hear dozens of journalists from every network talk about the deep commitment Tim made to mentoring and advancing new talent was amazing. He reached out to find young people, at the start of their profession, and to take a long-term interest in their development. He would celebrate their successes and keep in touch with them about both professional and personal milestones. He made mentoring a core part of his role as a manager, a journalist and a friend/colleague.

We should all think of how we can dramatically expand our roles as mentors. As I listened to seasoned journalists share Tim’s role in their careers, it made me think about how each of us can dedicate a few minutes every day to mentor the next generation of learning leaders.

I will miss Tim. When the news came into my email box on Friday, I cried. The nation lost an incredible journalist, a super interviewer, a vibrant mentor, a loving father and son, and a curious learner!

Tim, we’ll miss you deeply. Perhaps your spirit will help the Buffalo Bills win that Super Bowl after all.

With gratitude and affection from the other side of the television screen,

Elliott

Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 4,870 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

525 - SmallWorlds, Collaboration Skills, Wellness and Learning

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 13, 2008.
#525 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,243 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Orlando.
Register Early & Save $$ By June 15th

1. New, Thinner Virtual World in Beta - SmallWorlds
2. Skills to Collaborate: Your Ideas
3. Wellness & Learning Focus at Learning 2008

1. New, Thinner Virtual World in Beta - SmallWorlds: I’ve been experimenting with a new, cool and very “thin” virtual world that is totally browser-based and quick to load. SmallWorlds is in free Beta - developed in New Zealand - with a very Web 2.0 style. I am intrigued by this more intuitive and easier to navigate place. Go to http://www.smallworlds.com and create a free account. Poke around and visit our chatting space called LearningWorld.  It is interesting to consider how these tools could be leveraged for learning and work groups.

2. Skills to Collaborate - Your Ideas Please! Several TRENDS readers have asked about “Skills for Collaboration”.  In other words, what are the skills that a worker should ideally possess to effectively and authentically collaborate? We’d love to hear from you about these skills (eg. ability to maintain relationships with colleagues in remote locations).  Could you take a moment to send me an email with a 1 (or 10) skills that workers would ideally have to maximize the effectiveness of collaboration? Add your thoughts about how we might increase these skills in the workforce. Send your short email to emasie@masie.com  We’ll post a summary next week.

3. Wellness & Learning Focus at Learning 2008: We are pleased to announce a new segment at Learning 2008 focused on Wellness & Learning. Paul Arciero, Ph.D., will lead these sessions looking at the role of Wellness, Lifestyle Balance, Nutrition and more in workforce issues and learning. Paul is a specialist in exercise physiology at Skidmore College and is doing breakthrough research on these issues. He will also be leading early morning sessions, including Yoga and Exercise, for our participants. I am excited about a project that Paul is conducting with senior citizens using exercise bikes while they are connected online to other seniors on exercise bikes - leveraging real-time collaboration and competition for performance. The Wellness conversation has been absent from many of the conversations about learning technologies and changes. 

Note: Register by June 15th to receive the Early Registration Discount for Learning 2008.  Go to http://www.learning2008.com/

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* 0ver 4,870 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

524 - Obama Staff Meeting; Students with Laptops in Class - Hot Debate

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 10, 2008.
#524 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,238 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Orlando.

1. Political Management Perspectives: Obama Talks to Staff
2. Online in the Classroom - Hot Debate in LearningTown
3. Learning 2008 Update: Green Learning

1. Political Management Perspectives - Obama Talks to Staff: TRENDS will highlight content from both U.S. Political campaigns that is interesting from a management or staff development perspective. Here is a video clip of Obama talking to his staff at their Chicago headquarters this week about their team process and culture:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bnhmByYxEIo

Apart from political content, it is interesting to watch how the campaigns deal with internal staff. Since I have been working with the Obama campaign, I have reached out to the McCain campaign for a TRENDS reporter to provide similar content. Our goal is not to endorse or influence our readers, but rather to use the campaigns as “real time case studies” to talk about management and learning.

2. Online in the Classroom - Hot Debate in LearningTown: When a student in a classroom turns on his/her laptop, is this a PLUS or MINUS for the learner, other learners or the instructor? We have a very hot debate going on at LearningTown. Some are saying it is “Rude” and Distracting”. Some are saying “Great for Multi-Tasking & Collaboration”. What do you think? Stop by and add your comments at LearningTown (our free Village for Learning Professionals):

http://www.learningtown.com

3. Learning 2008 Update - Green Learning: We are adding a major segment to Learning 2008: Green Learning. We will look at these Energy Issues:

* The impact of increasing gas prices on the learning and training world.

* Role of the learning department in a Corporate Green/Energy Responsibility Policy.

* Strategies for preparing the workplace, workforce and learning framework for a changing world.

You will hear from Chief Learning Officers playing leadership roles on Green, Energy and Corporate Social Responsibility. Learning 2008 will take place in Orlando from Oct 26 to 29. Early Registration Discounts are available until June 15th: http://www.learning2008.com

Feel free to send me questions or emails to emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:

* 0ver 4,750 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com

* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs

* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs

* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando

Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

523 - Training Expenses Per Worker? - Linda Kennedy Passes

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - June 2, 2008.

#523 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.

54,229 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.

Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Orlando.

1. When the CEO Asks for Training Expenses Per Worker?

2. Linda Kennedy - Learning Colleague Passes.

3. Performance Support LAB - 7 Seats Available.

1. When the CEO Asks for Training Expenses Per Worker? What if your CEO sent you a memo asking for this information: “What is our cost per employee for training/learning?” How would you respond to this request? Please add your comments to a robust conversation about this request, now underway at our LearningTown Village. We have over 28 wonderful perspectives from learning colleagues around the world. Go to http://www.learningtown.com (If you are not a member of LearningTown, just add your profile to join this free social network for learning professionals.)

2. Linda Kennedy - Learning Colleague Passes: Linda Kennedy was an early pioneer in the computer training and learning field. I met Linda when she was working as a Manager for Lotus Education. She helped create models for computer training, certification and channel development. I recruited Linda to join me at Ziff Communications for a few years, where she helped organize some of our early conferences. She then returned to Lotus/IBM where she was a manager in their education area. Linda was respected throughout our field and was always up for a new challenge or perspective. Linda had a long battle with her illness and passed last week in France. We will miss you, Linda!

3. Performance Support LAB - 7 Seats Available: Our Performance Support LAB & Seminar has just 7 seats available. If you are interested in an in-depth, hands-on experience with Performance Support, focusing on “Learning at the Moment of Need”, consider joining Bob Mosher and Conrad Gottfredson in Saratoga Springs July 9-11th. Information and registration at http://www.masie.com

Update on Learning 2008: Save hundreds of dollars with Early Registration for Learning 2008. Register before June 15th to use the Early Registration Discount. http://www.learning2008.com

Feel free to send me questions or emails to emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:

* 0ver 4,400 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com

* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs

* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs

* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando

Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com

Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

522 - First Masie Learning Fellowship Announced; Technical Competencies Results

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 30, 2008.
#522 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,224 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Orlando.

* First MASIE Learning Fellowship Awarded.
* Technology Competencies for Learning Leaders Results.

* First MASIE Learning Fellowship Awarded: We are honored to announce our first MASIE Learning Fellowship, supporting the research projects of learning professionals pursuing advanced degrees.  Starting in July, Carey Bradshaw (no, not the TV character) will join our team in Saratoga Springs, NY for two months.  Her research will focus on developing and managing multi-generational groups in an organizational setting.  Her fellowship will include working with the Learning CONSORTIUM to develop a template for dealing with this challenge in the workplace.  An additional assignment includes exploring the impact of kiosk use on adult learning. 

Carey Bradshaw is currently pursuing her MA in Adult Learning and Organizational Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University.  She has worked for the HR and Learning areas, including projects with Goldman Sachs, for the past 2 years. We are very excited to welcome Carey and we will have additional Learning Fellowship residencies each semester. For information, please contact ria@masie.com

* Technology Competencies for Learning Leaders Results: Last week, we conducted a “flash survey” on the Technology Competencies for Learning Leaders (eg. CLOs).  This was part of my work as academic director at the Wharton/UPenn CLO Program. Over 930 colleagues from organizations around the world responded.  Here are results, including the percentage of respondents that selected them as their top 8 competencies:

1. Integrates learning, talent and IT strategies with business strategy (87%)
2. Leads key decisions about learning and technology for the enterprise (85%)
3. Assesses organizational readiness and need for talent/learning software (73%)
4. Collaborates with the Chief Information Officer (CIO) effectively (68%)
5. Effectively scouts for new and emerging technology trends and discerns hype from business value (61%)
6. Leverages collaborative technology to increase organizational capability (59%)
7. Displays fluency in techniques/models of technical process and change (46%)
8. Applies understanding of quality improvement and business process (41%)

* Learning 2008 Keynoters Listed:
The first wave of Thought Leaders in our General Sessions: http://www.learning2008.com

Feel free to send questions or emails to me at emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* 0ver 4,400 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Learning 2008 Speakers and Early Registration

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, Host, Learning 2008

We are pleased to announce the first wave of Keynote Speakers & Thought Leaders for Learning 2008.  Here are just a few of the exciting and provocative colleagues that I have invited to join you in Orlando (Oct 26 - 29):

* Kevin Kelly, Founding Editor - Wired Magazine.  Kevin will take us on a tour of upcoming changes and trends in how technology and collaboration are used for work, community, business and life balance.
* Amy Sutherland - “What Shamu Teaches Us About Training, Learning & People”. You will enjoy this unique perspective about learning from an animal trainer’s point of view.
* Steven M.R. Covey - “Trust in a Tough Economy”. Trust is a competency and also a factor in how organizations and leaders are perceived in tough times.
* Rita Colwell - Director, National Science Foundation (1998 - 2004). “Learning For and About Science & Technology”
* Nigel Paine & Global CLOs - “Global Learning Perspectives”. Learning is NOT the same around the world. What are the differences and implications?
* Allison Anderson - Learning 2008 Improvisational Players. A troupe of your learning colleagues will get you laughing and thinking about our field.
* Elliott Masie - 2008 Learning TRENDS Report: Social Learning, UserContent, Changing Models and Changing Learning Assumptions.

And, this are just the first wave of Thought Leaders.  Additional speakers are already posted on our website and more will be announced every few weeks.

Also, check out the new coloring on our Learning 2008 logo. We have added a “poptimistic” font to reflect the content diversity and optimism of the changing role of learning, content and collaboration.

Take advantage of our Early Registration Fees. Best discounts are available before June 15th.

Here are the details:

Learning 2008
October 26 to 29, 2008
Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida, USA
Theme: “All About Learning”
Info and Early Registration: http://www.learning2008.com

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie

Technology Competencies for Learning Leaders (CLO) - Your Input Needed!

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, The Learning CONSORTIUM

RE: Technology Competencies for Learning Leaders (CLOs) - Your Input Needed!

As a Learning/Training professional, we need your perspectives on a very key topic:

Technology Competencies for Learning Leaders (eg. Chief Learning Officers) Quick Survey - 3 Minutes:  http://www.masieweb.com/techcomp

Help us define the key TECHNOLOGY competencies required of an organization’s Learning Leader (eg. Chief Learning Officer). This survey was designed by the students in The Executive Program in Work-Based Learning Leadership (Wharton/University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education).

Your input is extremely valuable. As a learning and training colleague, would you please take 3 minutes to complete this anonymous survey?

http://www.masieweb.com/techcomp

We will publish a summary of the results of the survey and the discussion.

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie

The MASIE Center, Learning CONSORTIUM
PO Box 397, Saratoga Springs, NY
emasie@masie.com www.masie.com

521 - Myths of Innovation; Slide Rules and The B in PowerPoint

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 19, 2008.
#521 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,219 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Orlando.

1. Cool Digital Slide Rule.
2. The Myths of Innovation: Book Suggestion.
3. Tips for Trainers: Darkness & the “B” in PowerPoint.

1. Cool Digital Slide Rule: I am at Wharton/UPenn today, serving as the Academic Director for their PhD program for Chief Learning Officers. One of our speakers, Mark McDonald from Gartner, is delivering a presentation about Strategy and Technology. He brought up the old slide rule, which many of us used in the days before calculators. Then, I found an on-line, java-based Slide Rule. I went to the site and some of my old slide rule skills came back. Check it out:

http://www.taswegian.com/SRTP/JavaSlide/javaslide.html

2. The Myths of Innovation: Here is a new book that I would strongly recommend: “The Myths of Innovation” by Scott Berkun. He has made some great points regarding common myths about how innovation occurs. This is a quick and actionable read.

3. Tips for Trainers - Darkness & the “B” in PowerPoint: I am amazed at how often trainers leave their overhead projected PowerPoint slides on all day in the class. The screen starts to numb the minds and attention of the learners. If you just press the “B” key on your keyboard, it will “blank” the screen. Give your learners a break and hit the B key often.

Feel free to send me questions or emails to emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* 0ver 4,300 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

520 - RealTime Blogging Experiment

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 12, 2008.
#520 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,211 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Orlando.

Experiment: RealTime Blogging - Elliott Masie at Presidential Leadership Conversation

Here is a chance to take part in a RealTime Blogging Experiment.  Today, I am doing small-burst blogging from the Harvard Kennedy School event on Presidential Leadership Competencies (sponsored by The Blanchard Companies).

If you would like to get a taste of RealTime blogging, I am using Twitter to send all-day-long “blog” objects: quick notes about comments from Joe Klein, David Gergen, Ken Blanchard, Rosabeth Moss Kanter and more.

Go to: http://www.twitter.com/masie

You can follow it from this site, get an RSS feed or set up a “Twitter Follow”.

It will give you a taste of this model.

Yours in Learning,
Elliott Masie

Feel free to send me questions or emails to emasie@masie.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* 0ver 4,100 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

519 - PodCast: NBC News Launches New Learning Platform

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 8, 2008.
#519 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,211 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Orlando.

PodCast: NBC News Launches Learning/Networking/Engagement Platform

Special Note! I just finished interviewing Adam Jones, NBC News - Senior Vice President of Network Development and CFO for a special Learning TRENDS PodCast.

We talked about a revolutionary platform that NBC News has just released: iCUE. They have even opened up a new group called NBC Learn.  There is a combination of journalists, media specialists and learning professionals working in this group.  And, NBC has partnered with MIT on developing the design of this next generational learning model.

iCue takes “e-Learning” a huge step forward, with the introduction of small video chunks (from the NBC News archives), social networking and gaming. They blend these learning and engagement components in new ways, which will form the basis of new pedagogical approaches.

iCue is a free service and is starting with content/courses aimed at Advanced Placement classes for high school students. But, the platform is ideal for learning design for a wide range of content.

Go to http://www.masieweb.com/nbcicue for the PodCast and links to the service.

I’d love to get your thoughts and questions via email to emasie@masie.com

Thanks to NBC News for the PodCast and their work in learning.

Elliott Masie

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* 0ver 3,800 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

Presidential Leadership Competencies - Input Needed

TO: Learning & Training Colleagues
FROM: Elliott Masie, The Learning CONSORTIUM

RE: Leadership Competencies for the Next President - Your Input Needed!

As a Learning/Training professional, we need your perspectives on a very key topic:

Leadership Competencies for the Next President of the United States:  http://www.masieweb.com/presidential

Next Monday, I will be attending a forum at the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, with support from the Ken Blanchard Companies. A small group of business, political, educational and civic leaders will be having a focused discussion on the Leadership Competencies that will be essential for the next President of the United States.

Your input is extremely valuable. As a learning and training colleague, would you please take 3 minutes to complete this anonymous survey?

http://www.masieweb.com/presidential

We will publish a summary of the results of the survey and the discussion.

Yours in learning,

Elliott Masie

The MASIE Center, Learning CONSORTIUM
PO Box 397, Saratoga Springs, NY
emasie@masie.com
www.masie.com

Training Across Canada and the Rockies

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - May 2, 2008.
#518 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,204 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-28 - Orlando.

Special: Elliott Training Across Canada & The Rockies

TRENDS readers know that I have a fondness for long train trips. It must be the trainer in me. So, today I am writing TRENDS on a trip across Canada and through the Rockies. 

I’ve always wanted to see Canada from the train, especially the Western Rockies. So, on an impulse, I booked a 3-day trip this afternoon. I have some meetings in California, including a visit to Google on Wednesday, so I thought, “Why not take a slower and more scenic path?”  I’ll be video blogging and writing from a small bedroom or observation car on the “Canadian”.

I’ll be training between Toronto and Vancouver, crossing the scenic lakelands of northern Ontario, touring the western plains of the Prairies and the splendid Canadian Rockies, and finishing my journey on the Pacific coast of British Columbia. Other stops include Sudbury Junction, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper and Kamloops. It will be 3 nights from Toronto to Vancouver.

And, I’ll have wireless for a portion of the trip.  So, if you would like to message me or even meet me at one of the stops along the way in Canada, send a note to emasie@masie.com  A map of the journey is at http://www.viarail.ca/trains/en_trai_roch.html

All Aboard!

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* 0ver 3,800 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

517 - Corporate Cuts, Political Learnings, Elliott Goes Mac

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 30, 2008.
#517 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,197 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-28 - Orlando.

1. 88% of Companies Planning Cuts - Trying to Hold Line on Jobs.
2. Conversations about Political Campaign.
3. Elliott Goes Mac Today!

1. 88% of Companies Planning Cuts - Trying to Hold Line on Jobs: Here is a powerful piece of research from i4CP on the impact of the economy on corporate “cuts” and jobs:

“The cuts are coming suggests a recent study by the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp). According to the study, 88% of companies surveyed plan to implement cost-cutting measures within a year. When asked about how companies are planning to reduce costs, a full 87% of respondents said they are considering improving efficiency to a moderate, high or very high degree. Seventy-one percent said they are considering cutting discretionary spending to the same degree, and 65% are considering seeking lower costs from vendors. By contrast, just 33% said their organizations are planning to reduce head count to the same degree.”

“The most likely cutback targets are operations, with 49% of companies reporting they are looking at reducing costs in this area. That’s closely followed by administration, at 48%, and the use of external vendors/outsourced partners, at 43%. More than a third (35%) said they’d look to HR as a place for reducing costs. The least likely areas for cost-cutting measures are research and development, with just 19% of respondents saying their firms are – to a moderate, high or very high extent – planning to reduce costs in this area.”
 
“In this uncertain economic environment, it’s clear companies are intent on not being caught flat-footed,” notes Kevin Oakes, CEO of i4cp, “but so far it’s looking more like careful surgery than a bloodbath. Layoffs don’t seem to be the first choice for a lot of companies.”  More info at http://www.i4cp.com

2. Conversations about Political Campaign: We have a fascinating discussion underway about learnings from the current U.S. Presidential Campaign.  We have dozens of comments about learnings, ranging from the impact of YouTube to targeted education to the role of the Educator in Chief.  Please join in on the front page of LearningTown at http://www.learningtown.com

3. Elliott Goes Mac Today: Today, this is my first Learning TRENDS sent from my new Apple Mac, which just became my primary computer. After a year of experimenting with Macs, including using the thin MacBook Air as my laptop, I decided it was time to make the big shift! This is interesting given my background as the host of Microsoft Television during the release of Windows ‘95.

I moved to Macs as I saw my workstyle and format evolve. All of The MASIE Center systems are now web-based and hosted externally, so most of the day, the browser is my primary environment. In addition, I am producing audio and video segments throughout the day.  Using Microsoft Office for the Mac has allowed me to make the shift easily. (I still have a Vista machine near my desk for an occasional Windows-only application.)

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* 0ver 3,800 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com

516 - System Conversation Shifts; Co-opetition Learning Design

Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - April 11, 2008.
#516 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,183 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Orlando.

1. From Learning Systems to Learning!
2. Heading to Atlanta - FIRST Robotics Co-opetition.

1. From Learning Systems to Learning! I spent last week with 370 learning leaders at the Learning Systems event in Las Vegas. Here are a few of my learnings and impressions from the rich discussions:

* Conversation Shifts - From Learning Systems to Learning: While there are a few groups that are shopping for their first LMS/LCMS and quite a few are preparing for their next one, the conversation is not about features, functions or even price anymore. The key dialogues are about Richer Learning, Hybrid Learning, Content, Integration and Learner Experience. In some ways, we are entering the Post-LMS Obsession era. They are essential systems, but not sufficient systems. It takes key methodology to leverage even the best LMS.
* Content Dramatically Changing - From UserContent to more Media-Rich Content, there was universal agreement about a fundamental shift in the style of content being created and consumed by organizations and learners.
* Search is Key and Ignored - Learners are demanding, with some frustration, search capabilities at work, including within their Learning Systems that would allow them to “Google” their way to content, modules and learning resources.
* Broken RFPs: The suppliers of Learning Systems continue to be stymied by a broken RFP process used by many organizations, where companies request 300 features they will probably rarely use. Consider shifting to a Use Case model and demand a Sandbox approach to use and evaluate actual solutions.
* Performance Support Growing: More and more organizations are creating Performance Support as a companion or substitute for e-Learning. (Check out the Performance Support LAB at http://www.masie.com )
* Software as a Service: There was much interest and learning in Software as a Service model for provisioning the Learning Systems needs of organizations. Folks were predicting a rise in component-level learning functionality that could be purchased as a service and plugged into back office systems.

Later this week, we will post 3 hours of video interviews with 26 CEOs and CTOs of the major Learning Systems providers.

2. Heading to Atlanta - FIRST Robotics Co-opetition: I will be reporting and live-blogging from Atlanta starting on Thursday. I have the honor of attending the FIRST Robotics finals - a unique educational competition for high school students. This incredible “co-opetition”, created by Dean Kamen, combines learning, entertainment and a unique design to engage tens of thousands of students and adults. It involves intentional use of a game challenge, atmosphere, coaching, “gracious professionalism”, short/intense action spurts and a design/build experience. Creative use of “failure” is also leveraged in a way that could be deeply emulated within corporate learning designs.

FIRST is best reflected by this quote: “To create a world where science and technology are celebrated … where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes.”

My good friend and learning colleague John Abele is the Chair of FIRST. I will feed daily video interviews to give you a birds-eye view of this intense learning event in action.  If you are in Atlanta and would like to meet up at the FIRST event at the Georgia Dome, send me a note to emasie@masie.com 
FIRST website: http://www.usfirst.org

- 0ver 3,000 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com

Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning Design Seminar & LAB: June 23-25 - Saratoga Springs
* Performance Support Seminar & LAB: July 9-11 - Saratoga Springs
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com