Quantum² Highlights
A newsletter of the Dialog leadership development program for information professionals

Dear Quantum² Member...

What a roller coaster 2004 has been. It seemed to just have whizzed by and as we start 2005, the Quantum² team is enhancing and developing new content for the leadership development program to help you meet even more challenges. Areas we are considering include:

• measurement and performance techniques for valuing the contribution of information services
  
• virtual team management and development
  
• social networking, relationship building and managing up
  
• effective information handling policies.

As you consider the challenges you face in meeting your organizational goals, we would appreciate your feedback on aspects of these topics on which you would like particular focus. We also seek your tips and success stories to share with others. Please send us comments a to: dialog.quantum@thomson.com.

Quantum² Review of 2004

During 2004, the Quantum² program was expanded globally to reach even more members. With the use of Web conferencing technology, as well as the help of our growing band of Quantum² coaches, workshops sessions were delivered across the United States, continental Europe and as far as South Africa either as stand-alone events or as part of the Dialog Update program. We also leveraged our presence at industry conferences such as the annual Special Libraries Association (SLA) conference, the Nordic Online Information conference, London Online conference and many more, as well as partnering with information professional groups such as the SLA Library Management Division and the Swedish Association for Information Specialists (TLS) to broaden our reach.

As the Web seminars have been so successful, we expanded the number of sessions delivered in 2004, and in 2005 are planning to offer some sessions twice a month to accommodate the global reach of our members.

Another development in 2004 was the expansion of the Quantum² Discussion Forum into a partnership with SLA to offer the Quantum² Community of Practice. Quantum² members are able to share ideas and best practices with the wider group of all SLA members on topics such as defining the value of information services and gaining visibility with management. For more details, see the Quantum² Community of Practice Web page.

Finally, 2004 was an exceptional year for our InfoStars program. A total of eleven information professionals were nominated as InfoStars from around the globe.

Deciphering Annual Reports

Ever wondered what other internal ?intelligence? you could gather to help make your information service delivery more proactive? Your company's annual report can be a great resource for gaining insights into your business environment. Our Quantum² workshop on ?Deciphering Your Customer's Annual Report? will help you understand the components of annual reports, understand the story behind the numbers and mine them for hidden nuggets about the organization.

For those without a financial background, the session provides a good introduction to learning to interpret and speak the language of finance. The Quantum² Web site provides a white paper that aids in the understanding of annual reports and how they impact the organization's business environment.

Download the complete white paper, "Deciphering Your Customer's Annual Report" [PDF 24pp] from the Quantum2 website.

As always, your suggestions for workshop topics are always welcome and encouraged. If you know a friend or colleague who would benefit from Quantum², please encourage them to sign up today.

Regards,
Liz Blankson-Hemans
Director
IPMD, International
Dialog