Part XI of this series of articles that share useful insights and practical guidance to troubleshoot underperforming self-help and learning systems This article offers insights from the author’s experience helping organizations overcome avoidable mistakes when acquiring and integrating externally produced content, e.g training, professional development, self-help. There may come a…

When the training ends…the fighting begins — On 8 April, 1944, thirty-five B-24 Liberator bombers of the 453rd Bombing Group joined the 2nd Air Division of the 8th Air Force to raid Brunswick, Germany. Five of the group’s bombers would return early having to abort due to various malfunctions. Eight hours after take-off, only twenty-three B-24's returned…

Over 12,000 B-24 Liberator bombers saw action with the US Army Air Corps in WWII. Typically flown by a crew of ten men, the majority of Liberators were lost or damaged beyond repair in combat during massive daylight bombing raids over Europe. …

A combat-bound crew encounters a fatal flaw for which there is no obvious solution. — Despite the propensity and value of nearly boundless technology and information at our fingertips, solving life’s most pressing problems sometimes requires decisively bold action right now. Our story begins about midnight at Old Buckenham Airfield, England, in the spring of 1944. The author is retired USAF test pilot, Colonel Bill…

I’ve yet to hear a combat tale that compares in terms of goose bumps per word. Stories based in combat are mesmerizing, but — over the years of retelling— some wind up becoming more colorful over time. What follows achieves its powerful impact from its utter lack of embellishment. The…

Premature focus on efficiency blocks innovation — For those of us delving into the feasibility of new concepts while bedeviled by MBAs focused on return on investment, this article offers empathy and some insights on the type of company deserving of your talent. The extent to which our bosses encourage or inhibit discovery determines our organization’s ability to innovate Here’s a quick test: We've got an intriguing concept and it’s promising. Feasibility is uncertain…

Co-opting our frustrated users makes Sen$e — This is Part XIII of a series of articles about invoking an enterprise content strategy to develop, publish and manage content for all of our audiences, begun with the — Hey! Where’s Our Content? — article Ask a board member to define success for our business websites (marketing, extranet, intranet…

The key to managing expectations up the chain of command is to be alert to the risks of not doing so — Updated 24 January, 2016 Part VIII of this series of articles that share useful insights and practical guidance to troubleshoot underperforming self-help and learning systems Ever been in a long-anticipated meeting to green-light an initiative only to hear your boss (or colleague) sell a bold concept you support by making…

Design & Troubleshooting Guide — Our training, intranet, extranet and support knowledgebases exist to deliver game-changing ROI as customers, partners and staff discover timely solutions to vexing problems. When we’re successful, users swarm the site(s) expecting to find answers and are gobsmacked when they don’t. Conversely, flat demand signals failure. Whether it is a lack…