What content should L&D leaders be consuming? I asked this question to 14 different learning leaders on my Learning and Development Stories podcast. It has been interesting to hear their different recommendations. I wanted to consolidate their responses in one place for others in the learning space. So here goes:Dan Pontefract, Founder of the Pontefract Group, formerly Chief Learning …
Using Strategic Marketing Communications to Cascade Learning into an Organization
Training is estimated to be a $350 billion industry worldwide. However it represents just 10% of the the 70-20-10 L&D model, which was informed based on a survey of executives. (70% of learning is from challenging assignments, 20% is from interacting with peers and 10% from training). How can the learning from the 10% be integrated into the 70% and 20%?You may be familiar with a training …
New Survey: The State of PR and Communications at Public Policy / Public Affairs Schools
Public policy and public affairs schools still have work to do in ensuring that their PR activities are aligned with institutional big-picture goals.This is among the findings from Experiential Communications’ inaugural public relations and communications survey of schools focused on public policy and public affairs. The 10-question survey was conducted in May and June 2015 with the goal of …
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT!! Announcing Arrival of Media Training for Academics online course
My wife and I welcomed two boys into the world in the last three years. Now, I want to introduce my newest "baby": the Media Training for Academics online course! See image above for key characteristics!The course covers how professors, researchers and PhD students can communicate their research and ideas through owned media (content they own, like a blog or website), earned media (traditional …
Podcast Episode #22: Professor Deborah Lupton on How Academics Can Leverage Social Media
How can academics overcome the barriers of social media? What is the key to getting more academics to leverage social media?Deborah Lupton, a Professor at the University of Canberra, addressed these questions and other related topics on episode 22 of FIR on Higher Education. Deborah brings a unique perspective as the author of the study Feeling Better Connected – Academics Use of Social …
Podcast Episode #19: Dorie Clark on Developing a Content Strategy and Lessons from the “Dean Scream”
How can academics build their individual brand? What are the new realities of book publishing? How can individuals develop a content strategy? Author and executive education instructor Dorie Clark shares insights to these questions on episode 19 of FIR on Higher Education.A former presidential campaign spokeswoman, Dorie also outlines what one should do when things don't come out as intended. …
Podcast 18: Adopting a PR 2.0 Mindset
Public relations has drastically changed in recent years. And these changes will only continue as we move forward.On episode 18 of the FIR on Higher Education podcast, communications thought leader Deirdre Breakenridge shared insights on how professors can prepare students and professionals for these new realities. Deirdre outlined the eight practices for the PR professional and discussed best …
Podcast 15: Interview with Professor Karen Freberg on Social Media Influencer Personality Traits
Are there common traits that personify social media influencers? Karen Freberg, a professor at the University of Louisville, has researched this very question. She and her colleagues did a study of Brian Solis, Deidre Breakenridge, Jeremiah Owyang and Charlene Li and identified common behaviors. Karen shares the findings and implications on the latest episode of FIR on Higher Education.We also …
Fear of new technologies and chalkboards
Are you today's equivalent of the Yale student body that protested the chalkboard in the 1830s?Seems like a ridiculous question and scenario. But believe it or not, this is a true story according to Professor Cathy Davidson. I am taking Davidson's fantastic MOOC course “The Future and History of Mostly Higher Education”. In the course, she tells the following story:“In the 1830s, a …
Podcast # 11 – The Impact of MOOCs on Teaching and Marketing
"They will change the way we all approach teaching."This is what Vincent Mangematin, a professor at France’s Grenoble Ecole de Management, told me on FIR on Higher Education episode 11.MOOCs are certainly causing disruption. Mangematin wrote in the Financial Times that MOOCs will leave behind a trail of failed global business schools. He elaborated on this piece in the podcast episode and …
Why Public Relations Practitioners Need to Be Organizational Educators
In the old days, it was simple for us communicators. Do some media training for just a few of the top spokespeople in the organization and ensure everyone is on message. Then work on coming up with a story, pitch it in the press and receive a positive clip. Finally, send it to a few people and pat yourself on the back.As we know, that’s all changed. The digital communications revolution has …
Podcast 10: Disrupting Executive Education – The World Economic Forum’s New Forum Academy
Every January, the World Economic Forum (WEF) is in the news headlines as leaders meet in Davos, Switzerland to address some of the pressing issues facing the world. The WEF is also know for its thought leadership and research. Now, the organization is expanding into executive education. The new Forum Academy is launching its inaugural course on Global Information Technology this June and then …
Re-thinking where you live and pursuing goals
Are you happy where you live at the moment? Are you able to pursue your goals – both personal and professional – in the current place you live?I am contemplating this question as I sit on a bench overlooking Lake Geneva and the mountains (pictured to the left) in a small village town outside of Lausanne, Switzerland. It is always great to write and then look up to see wonderful views of the …
Podcast # 8: Interview with Professor Amanda Sturgill on How to Teach Digital Communications
Odds are that if you studied communications more than five years ago in college / university, much of what you learned then is now completely outdated. There is a good chance that communications students today will say the same thing years from now. With digital communications changing so fast, what is the best way to teach it to students so that they have the necessary skills to enter the …
Integrating gamification in the classroom: Professor #FollowFriday 5, Steven Johnson
“Professor #FollowFriday” is an editorial series focused on academics’ best practice in digital communications. Every Friday, I highlight one academic who is strategically leveraging the power of digital communications. The goal of this feature is that if you are an academic or thought leader looking to establish an online presence, you will be able to draw on this archive and use it as a source …