| Joint LEG/ELF Meeting - Topic: "The Business Case for Learning - Tips, Hints, What Works, What Does Not Work" Agenda: There were presentations by learning professionals from Shell, Bechtel, Reuters and Altus to share with us recent presentations to management making their case for elearning/learning initiatives, projects or programs. In addition, they discussed what worked about their approach and what did not - which offered insights into issues for framing future research, and forums on learning valuation and learning economics. Prior to these presentations, Eilif Trondsen and Tom Hill framed the discussion and made observations on trends on learning alignment to business objectives from the point of view of the SRI Learning on Demand Program and Learning Economics Group. |
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| Prof. Nile Hatch, Professor of Organizational Leadership and Strategy, Marriott School of Management, Brigham Young University, presented frameworks on innovation, learning, and measurement in creating a sustainable competitive advantage for corporations. Prof Hatch has completed extensive research on innovation, the learning curve and business process linkage in high technology industries. |
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| Mark Daly, Learning Valuation Assurance Advisor, Shell, Oil and Exploration Group discussed his perspective and experience in developing learning valuation programs, business processes and programs. Issues of effectiveness, efficiency, provisioning and gaining the involvement and input of key stakeholders were reviewed. |
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Summary - "Considerations in Intangible Value", David Perry Greene - July 8, 2004
David Perry Greene, IBM Applied Theorist, IBM Extreme Blue Operation, Austin, TX, focused discussion on definitions of intangibles, how they influence value and what can be done with this information. Organizational perspectives on intangibles were presented: residual view, accounting view and conceptual view. were discussed Classifying Human Capital offered challenges in terms of lifecycle, compensation and work structures. He outlined how intangibles create value, and issues related to measuring and managing intangibles in Information Technology. David noted that our understanding of intangibles can enable IT to create real returns. Finally, he identified a value framework, and valuation as an option. |
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Summary - "Drivers of Learning & Intangible/Tangible Capital Effects" - Jeff Kelley, June 10, 2004
Jeff Kelley, Managing Principal of CapitalWorks, LLC and co-founder of Transform Partners, spoke regarding approaches he and his colleagues apply in identifying and representing the dimensions, dynamics and drivers of learning in the context of intangible and tangible capital effects. They focus their work on Transformative Operating Performance™ and Total Capital Management™. Jeff reviewed key findings of a multi-client research program conducted by CapitalWorks to develop methods for Learning Value Analysis™ and a dimensional Learning Effectiveness Index™. He described the principles and methods they apply currently in assessing, representing and modeling relative contributions of learning by understanding patterns of interactions, stocks and flows of knowledge, and value drivers. CapitalWorks and Transform Partners principals work globally with leading enterprises, both public and private. Representative client relationships and collaborations include IBM, Cisco, Dow Chemical, ACS, Delta Electronics, Ketchum, Fuji Xerox, Johnson & Johnson, Genentech, Veterans Health Administration, GlaxoSmithKline, British Telecom, Reuters, The Work Foundation, Siemens ICN, GE Capital and Nortel Networks. |
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Dr. Daniel Blair - EdD, SPHR, CPT, Senior Performance Consultant - Hewlett-Packard, ASTD Fellow
Title: “Review of ASTD WLP Scoreboard Project”
Daniel reviewed the need for a communication framework, goals of the work, challenges and frameworks including a research agenda. Here are a few key points of his talk (PPT slides are on the LEG site, with talk announcement):
* Value = is the sum of the merit (qualitative) and the worth (quantitative) of something. Dr. Michael Scriven
* Need to communicate the value of workplace learning and performance (WLP) and connect them to business strategy and outcomes
* Goals - develop standard set of metrics, reporting frameworks, monitor, evaluate, link to learning investments, analysis of relationships and relative importance of variables in learning and performance chain
* 85 % of business assets are intangible
(Review of the present research, case work pro/con on Learning & Performance links)
* Model of Learning & Performance, Business Processes (see attachment) - valuable insight into organizing our discussion
* Balanced Scorecard - a possible framework
* Metrics Questions - key performance indicators, standards of value creation, links between learning and performance, ROI, current thinking of CFOs
Group Discussion:
Several points were made about the need to contribute content, using a template to make the content more valuable including ratings, I will be sending a separate message with a template to invite you to send us information about your most valuable learning/economics tool, book, report, website.
LEG Website: Look into Quicktopics as a way to develop, discuss our ideas, offer a content threading on Learning Economics
Books referenced:
"The eLearning FieldBook", Van Dam, N - valuable case studies, models, charts by the author from Deliotte consulting work
"Evaluation Thesaurus", Scriven, M. - insights into the evaluation process
"New Organizational Wealth: Managing and Measuring Knowledge Based Assets", Sveiby E.K., groups intangible assets into three classes: employee competence, internal structure, external structure, discusses key valuation issues, metrics and linkages
Reports:
"AICPA - Jenkins Report" - insights into the issues of accounting, audiences for reporting on valuation of assets, helpful to consider in developing a GAAP for learning framework, http://www.aicpa.org/members/div/acctstd/ibr/index.htm |
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On April 7, 2004 our Kickoff Meeting primarily focused on sharing ideas, and getting to know the interests and expectations for Learning Economics. We had participants from corporations, academia, research institutes and consulting to form the Learning Economics Group (LEG). Several members voiced the urgent need for this effort. Suggestions were made for several activities, or actions to follow up on:
1. Research - need for fundamental research on the strategic value of learning, both informal and formal and its economic impact in the enterprise. Several options were mentioned for funding or collaboration: NSF, BYU- Marriott Business School, ASTD Research, and the European Union. At this time we are coordinating follow up in each of these areas with thosse of you who volunteered assistance. The ASTD Research process is just starting so we have an excellent opportunity to provide input there and coordinate our efforts. We are meeting to discuss how to write up proposal for an NSF planning grant.
2. Discussion Topics - it was suggested that we nominated or pick discussion groups from the topics listed in the research area - there will be a Survey block for on the front page here to vote for a topic, let us know in your email with your profile if you would like to be a chair or moderator.
3. Recruitment - many of you want to invite others to the group, and requested an invitation email. In particular, in research groups, the European Union and other companies. The invitation email is attached to an email following up our Kickoff meeting and will also appear on this page.
4. Content Management - we received support from BYU to assist our site development activity with grad student support.
5. Network - an attachment with names, affiliations and email addresses is being sent with the follow-up email. Please send us your profile information: tphill@learningeconomics.org and we can add your profile for others to contact you.
6. Tools - can we find or develop simple tools to help us qualify and quantify the value of learning in an organization.
7. Economics - observations made: how is learning accounted for, why are people who create value viewed as a cost, is it possible to create a value by aggregating the 'investment' value made into an individual.
8. Peer Production - here is a paper, Coase's Penguin, that helps us understand the dynamics and characteristics of a peer production community like ours:
http://www.benkler.org/CoasesPenguin.PDF
9. Media - several suggestions were made to add blogs, wikis and use interactive media for our next meeting. Please mention on your profile email how you would like to proceed with these suggestions (for those of you who volunteered).
Our next meeting will be in approximately one month to follow up, watch the Events Calendar for details, likely to be scheduled early in the day to accommodate our East Coast and European participants.
Tom |
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