Welcome to my blog!
It’s called the Learning Evangelist because that’s what I am...a lifelong learner who passionately believes in the power of learning. Supporting effective learning is how I make my living; learning itself is my life.
Join me as I explore ideas and ideals about learning, especially how learning opportunities can be more effective for those who matter most: the learners. There are exciting opportunities for engaging learners today, and it’s an exciting time to be engaged in the learning profession!
I welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions.
I really admire Elliott and the work of The Masie Center, his “think tank” in Saratoga Springs, NY. He’s one of those “bleeding edge” kinda guys who is always out there trying new things and freely sharing what he learns. He’s probably the first person I ever saw speak remotely…via live video as a keynote speaker at a local ASTD chapter’s one-day conference. That was years ago, before most people even started thinking about doing anything like it. And he continues to stretch the proverbial envelope when it comes to learning effectiveness.
If you aren’t familiar with Elliott’s work, he and his team regularly seek out trends, conduct research, and share practical information for learning professionals around the world. Well, they’ve done it again…The Masie Center has just released a free, open-source e-book focusing on learning strategies. Titled simply, Learning Strategies, it’s a 104-page compilation of contributions from companies as diverse as the CIA, CNN, Farmers Insurance Group, Waste Management, Inc., and others. While its authors are from the for-profit world, what they have to say about learning strategy and how you create and use it is applicable – maybe even required reading – for anyone who manages learning functions in their organizations.
From the opening chapter by editor Nigel Paine about what makes a successful learning strategy to the closing interview with Elliott about his perspectives on developing and implementing learning strategy, this book is a keeper.
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This year has really flown by, hasn’t it?
For me, a contributing factor is likely the travel I’ve enjoyed the past few months. In conjunction with client work, I’ve been to Minneapolis; Alexandria, VA; Seattle; Allentown, PA; Atlanta; Washington, DC; and Wilmington, DE…some of these cities more than once. Tucked in the middle was a trip to San Antonio for a family celebration of life and a too-short visit with some friends.
The highlight of the year (so far!) – and my first international client engagement – was a week-long trip to Singapore at the end of May. I had the pleasure of facilitating a three-day workshop for 24 of this new client’s in-house trainers, who came from eight different Asia Pacific countries. I always enjoy leading SME workshops; it is great fun to see the “light bulbs” come on as these folks discover how to increase the effectiveness of the training they lead. I always learn something from participants in workshops I facilitate, and Singapore was no exception! I discovered a lot about learning in other cultures even as I led the group – who spoke English far better than I spoke most of their languages – in exploring how they could make their training more effective. Continue reading →
…even as it remains the same.
Every business (and association!) evolves over time…adapting to customer needs, new conditions, new environments, or through rethinking its operations and focus. Sometimes, evolution is simply about aligning perspective with reality.
Since well before I started my business, I have considered myself a “learning evangelist.” My passion for learning is part of my father’s legacy; in my own life learning is akin to breathing – I can’t imagine not doing it. In the earliest stages of creating my business, I needed an email address and wanted one with a unique domain. I thought long and hard about using “learning evangelist;” I even had some people tell me not to use it. Yet the more I thought about it the more it made sense to me.
An “evangelist,” after all, is “one who passionately shares beliefs.” While the connotation is often religious in nature, the definition is not confined to religion. One might choose to be an evangelist about anything – and since the conscious act of choosing my domain name back in 2003, I’ve positioned myself as an evangelist for learning.
Announcing…
In an exciting (for me) step in my business evolution, I’ve recently aligned my business name and the identity I created when I “hung out my shingle” as a learning consultant eight years ago. My consulting firm, formally known as CompassPoints, is now the Learning Evangelist, LLC…bringing together my perception and positioning of myself with the reality of my business entity.
My philosophy, values, and mission remain the same.
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