How The Corporate Training Coach Becomes the MVP

Don Tapscott is a talented guy, and so we follow him.  His 1992 bestseller Paradigm Shift followed by The Digital Economy gave us all insights into the Internet to come.

Now with the release of a 20th Anniversary Edition of The Digital Economy, Don is again taking the measure of the digital landscape.  Of his insights, Eric Schmidt of Google has written,

“Don remains one of the most perceptive thinkers about the way technology is transforming business and society. Several of his predictions—from networked intelligence to the demands on leaders to embrace technology — have taken permanent hold.”

Don’s views on Professional Development, or Talent Management as it is called more often these days, are worth reviewing:

“The current approach to talent management—recruit, train, manage, retain, and evaluate—may have worked in the past, but as technology advances and workplaces continue to evolve, this model is quickly becoming outdated. New cultures are emerging, new patterns are being established, and the stuffy hierarchies of the past are being replaced with more nimble, collaborative management systems. In the future, smart companies will look more like jazz ensembles, where hierarchy has been replaced by creativity, collaboration, empowerment, and improvisation. One aspect in particular that has experienced this shift is training. Many companies are abandoning old training models in favor of more complete approaches. Rather than sending employees off to complete separate training or educational activities, companies are trying to establish more comprehensive work and learning environments. One way to do this is by adopting multimedia tools and developing a level of collaboration that encourages employees to interact with each other and learn from one another’s experiences. This collaborative approach also applies to shifting ideas in management styles. Instead of handing down directives, next generation management will strive to work with employees to solve problems horizontally, rather than vertically.”

Read more of Don’s words in his Huffington Post article.

The Scredible Team

This Time Is Different

Every savvy investor knows that these are the four most dangerous words.  That’s because every run-up in stock prices feels different than the last, but usually ends up in bubble-bursting territory.  Today tech investors are seeing the same overheated mergers as the late 1990s dot-com era, and wondering if this time is different?

As of November, there have been 19 high-profile deals of more than $1 billion and 923 deals inked in all — for $73.7 billion in aggregate value — and tying an all-time record.  But does this mean the party’s over… again?

The best insight on this may come from Jeff Liu, who studies global technology for Ernst & Young. See his analysis on Market Watch.

Lee at Scredible