ASTD Conference and School Update

All I can say about the ASTD (American Society for Training and Development) conference is WOW! Sure was a worthwhile experience. First, the presenters were a cut above. Most not only possessed expertise, but were excellent presenters. I came away with was a sense that things, they are a-changin.'

The shift from a manufacturing to a knowledge-based economy has huge implications for both the way we conduct "business" (not just in the private sector, but the public sector too) and the way we train people to do it. Probably the most recurrent theme was the need of organizations to facilitate collaboration to take advantage of human capital and knowledge. The "stove piped" structures of the manufacturing age just aren't cutting it. Even the military is beginning to abandon the "command and control" paradigm--at least in some areas.

Adult education has always focused on adult's needs for practical solutions and the ability to learn from each other. Those needs have now come to the forefront of the training mindset.

Another recurrent theme was the increasing pace of life--personal and work--and the need to use people's time and attention in training effectively and efficiently. That translates to eliminating boring instruction and ensuring that skills and knowledge acquired during training are applied back on the job. One of the most informative and lively sessions was conducted by Dr. Michael Allen entitled "No More Boring E-Learning." (Perusal of his company's website will make the message crystal clear!)

In addition to the fascinating information, it was wonderful to have a chance to get to know many of my colleagues within my company, as well as new people--many from other countries. A woman I spoke with from Kenya was facing the same issues of how to train better and faster with fewer resources. A zoolegist, she came to the conference to learn new skills related to motivating and training people who work in her agency. Same thing w/ trainers from a bank in Turkey.

Also bought my books and downloaded required articles for my new doctoral classes starting Monday. Found many of the same themes echoed in what I read. Of particular interest is the concept of "participatory action research." And here I thought I had the basics of academic research down in my master's program. Boy how thinking has changed in 25 years! It's a complete paradigm shift and related to the same themes I heard throughout the ASTD Conference. Got to love synchronicity!

As far as what this all means for my quest from rags to riches, am concluding I'll likely end up abandoning the riches part in favor of "comfortable and financially secure." Sure never want to go through what I have for the last three years again but riches? Takes a committment I don't think I'm willing to make at this time in my life. Just don't see the value of pursuing riches at the expense of personal satisfaction (consistent with the kind of "transitions" that come with middle age--according to the book I'm reading, Transitions).

How many PhDs in education do you know who are rich? Bill Cosby, maybe, but that's because his riches accured from being an entertainer, not an educational PhD. I want to provide a secure enough base to develop my natural talents and capabilities in order to make a contribution. If I can do that, I'll feel my life has been worthwhile. But I sure wouldn't turn down riches that just happen along, either!

Comments

[roofing guy]

Great to see someone succeed- looing into it.

[Toby]

Hey Fon,

I found your blog searching on Google for more information about Thomas and Penelope Pauley -- the authors of "I'm Rich Beyond My Wildest Dreams, I am, I am, I am". I read a few entries of yours -- you have a very nice success journal!

I haven't bought the book yet, but I probably am based on recommendations such as yours. One of the reviews on Amazon mentioned the authors have their own website, where they sell ebooks as well.

If you enjoyed I'm Rich Beyond My Wildest Dreams and you're looking to become a positive, generous individual who makes a good mark on the world, then I HIGHLY recommend The Blessed Life by Robert Morris.

Wow... you just need to, is all I can say. It talks about the joy of giving and recieving (not simply tithing). I'm young, as you can tell by Xanga, but I believe with all my heart that giving and receiving works... when I was 17, I decided to stand on it and sowed $400 to a few charities I had a heart for. I wasn't making any money online, though I'd been trying to for at least 3 years. Within three weeks, I was logging into an affiliate account that should've only had $11.35 of my own money in it and noticed it had $235 in it!! I had to literally start investigating where money was coming from. And they pay every two weeks, and they already had a $200 check in the mail with my name on it by then! So my income went from $0 to $435/mo automatically. That's about how much people my age were making at minimum wage jobs. So I increased my giving. Soon, I was making around $700 a month doing pretty much nothing but giving. This was no chump change for a 17 year old, let me tell you. So I increased my giving... and my income just keep increasing. Last December, for example, I made $1700 in one month doing nothing except GIVING and praising God. haha My income starting going down slowly after that because I wasn't diligent in certain areas, so there is a natural side as well... but there is no stopping me. I AM RAKING IT IN. :-)

I can't stop myself from telling people about it, because I want everyone to be blessed... one day, a 17 year old friend expressed frustration about his situation. He was working at a fast food joint and his paycheck was completely eaten by expenses. I told him my story, gave him the Scriptural references, and told him to start writing $50 checks. Well he did, to my surprise. Then within three weeks he was telling me how now he has $300-$400 in pocket money.

Anyway, didn't mean to start rambling on here... my point was, I was following the principles in the book The Blessed Life by Robert Morris (which wasn't even published then). God is an awesome God. Look into it and be blessed! :-)