SPOTLIGHT ON UPCOMING EVENTS: SLA 2008, SEATTLE, WA, JUNE 15-18  

As is our custom, we would like to alert you to upcoming events where Quantum² sessions will be offered. Our information professional team will deliver the following sessions at the SLA Annual Conference being held in Seattle, WA, June 15 -18, 2008.

Basic Strategic Planning for the Information Center
Saturday, June 14, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., $199 Member/$299 Non-Member

Strategic planning requires stepping back from the day-to-day and creating a vision of where the organization is going. This session offers basic techniques and a hands-on approach to evaluating the current strengths and weaknesses of your information services aligned against organizational goals. You will learn how to envision innovative strategic alternatives for the future, and create an action plan to apply the appropriate resources and tactics for achieving your vision.

A Leadership and Management Division session
Betty Jo Hibberd

Creating a Brand Identity to Market Information Services
Saturday, June 14, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., $199 Member/$299 Non-Member

We all recognize a strong brand identity when we see it, but how does that identity develop? This session covers the "what?" and "why?" of creating brand identity and offers tips for creating brand identity for an information center, with minimal budget. Additionally, the business competencies necessary for marketing yourself and the information center will be covered.

A Legal Division session
Liz Blankson-Hemans

In addition to these, you might want to consider the following sessions focused around leadership competencies:

Executive Renewal Think Tank
Saturday, June 14, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., $299

This full-day event enables senior managers to network with each other and top industry executives, exploring how their beliefs and approaches impact their leadership and managerial effectiveness. Focusing on problem solving and strategic issues, the Think Tank enables leaders to assess situations more efficiently, and provides clear directions for colleagues and subordinates. With themes including gaining real commitment, valuing the contributions of others, and approaching change as a positive influencer, it is designed for leaders who have been in senior management positions for 3 - 5 years, and are seeking a unique leadership development opportunity.

Transformational Roles: Breaking Rules
Wednesday, June 18, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Spotlight Session from Leadership & Management Division

Today there are many roles for information professionals. Join SLA president Stephen Abram and SLA president-elect Gloria Zamora, along with our panel of experienced information professionals as they talk about their roles, the core information skills they use, and how they break the rules associated with "traditional" information practices.

To register for these events, please visit the SLA Conference website and use the personal planner.

In addition, we would like to invite those of you attending the conference to stop by the booth and help us celebrate our award winners with a champagne reception.

Information Professional Awards Reception
Tuesday, June 17, 2:00 p.m.
Booth #601
Honoring Quantum² InfoStars, exceptional information professionals who have demonstrated significant leadership qualities with strategic and innovative thinking, and the Roger K. Summit Scholarship Recipient, a promising graduate student in library and information sciences.

We hope to see you there!

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

QUANTUM² E-BRIEF: THE ROI OF INFORMATION

We are pleased to announce the posting of our latest e-brief, The ROI of Information. If you need help getting decision makers to understand the value that information brings to an organization, the techniques in this e-brief will get you started.

Read "The ROI of Information" e-brief.

SCHEDULE OF QUANTUM² WEB SESSIONS

Here is the schedule of web sessions for the next few months. We look forward to welcoming you. To join the classes, please use the registration links.

Measuring Impact: Cost Justification for Information Services
Sep. 11, 2008
2:00 p.m. New York
7:00 p.m. London
Register

Strategic Planning for the Information Center
Oct. 16, 2008
2:00 p.m. New York
7:00 p.m. London
Register

Scenario Planning for Information Services
Dec. 11, 2008
2:00 p.m. New York
7:00 p.m. London
Register

QUANTUM² TOPIC OF THE MONTH - THE IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SCENARIO PLANNING

Planning is all about getting to where you want to go. Scenarios are about getting there...on the best available road. Making decisions based on what has happened before is dangerous and counterproductive to thriving and surviving in these uncertain times. Scenario planning answers "What if...?" questions that involve important issues and large external influences.  Unlike strategic planning, which postulates a single anticipated future, scenario planning looks at alternative versions of the future without trying to predict it. Instead, a few good plot lines, each of which should be internally plausible, are played out five, ten or twenty-five years into the future. The goal is to work laterally and consider the unexpected - those surprises that undo most extrapolations - in order to examine possible future developments that could impact on individuals, organizations or societies. This helps in finding direction for decisions that would be most beneficial no matter how the future unfolds.

Read full article.