More on Computerized Learning

A good follow-up to my review of Disrupting Class by Clayton Christensen, Curtis W. Johnson and Michael B. Horn. This book was about our education system but, I think, holds lessons for business as well.

Jay Cross’ thoughtful examination here is based on his many years of experience with e-learning in corporations. He defines the critical difference being push vs. pull learning. Pull learning involves and active learner on a journey of conversation and discovery. Great guidelines for those looking to use computers to improve learning (not just automate it).

Richard Florida on Homeownership and Our Economy

I have been reading the group blog (which I recommend)  led by Richard Florida, author of The Rise of the Creative Class and Who’s Your City?  That’s where I heard about his latest article in The Atlantic entitled “How the Crash Will Reshape America.” Lots to think about in terms of our national human capital.

A few points of note (I quote):

• Substantial incentives for homeownership (from tax breaks to artificially low mortgage-interest rates) distort demand, Read more

Intangible Definitions

One of the most frustrating parts of working in the “intangibles” management business is the lack of accepted definitions and (more importantly) shared understanding of what we mean.

Just the name is challenging. Here are a few of the most common: Read more

The Current Crisis and Our Schools

It’s no coincidence that in the middle of the current financial crisis, there are also people talking about the crisis in education. David Brooks framed the challenge last summer in New York Times.  This week, Roger Frank Bass of the Milwuakee Journal Sentinel made his case and The Quaker Agitator blog also chimed in here.

There is still something of a gap in our understanding of the link between education, human capital and the development of our economy. It is absolutely clear Read more

Two Thumbs Up for Roger Ebert

My first two entries in the category “A Smart Company” were behemoths JP Morgan Chase and IBM…Now for something completely different, I’ll highlight the power of a couple thumbs from Chicago.

One of the reasons my husband and I originally bought a DVR was to record Ebert and Roeper, which was the successor to our long-time favorite Read more

The New Kapital

I’ve seen a number of interesting discussions recently on the role of human capital in business. It is interesting to contrast these varied views of the role of experts versus mainstream employees–and the implications for leadership, compensation and profits:

The first is Roger Martin’s article entitled “Capital vs. Talent: The Battle Rages On” in the latest magazine from the Rotman School of Management Read more

Training (and spending on intangibles in general) as an Investment?

Clive Shepherd asks whether spending on training is an investment in this thought-provoking post. He makes the comparison to spending on other kinds of business operations to highlight the challenges of going the investment route. Then he takes Read more

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