One of the major goals of this blog is to keep you abreast of the latest learning technologies, and to create awareness of what is coming in the future. On September 22, 2016, SEWI-ATD will hold its 2016 Annual Event, and this year it will be:

The Future...How Will You and Your Organization Remain Relevant?

Classroom Augmented Reality, Emerging Educational Technologies, Wearables and Beyond!

The event will be held at the majestic Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee, so block off your calendar now so you can attend this incredible event.

At the Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter of ATD, our combined vision and mission is to "Partner with individuals and organizations we serve to develop highly skilled and talented professionals" in the SEWI workforce. That especially applies to great Learning and Development Professionals like you. As the current VP of Communications for our chapter, I can think of no better way to do this than to develop a "must read" resource for you to stay current, and sift through all the noise.

Meet the SEWI-ATD Blog. We will work to bring you the best in talent and development research and enrichment, so that you can consider this blog a one-stop-repository to keep you abreast of what's current and what's next.

In the past, we've posted great information here casually to keep you informed, but going forward, we are committing to you to make this blog the go-to resource for you in the talent development field. Please take a moment to look back at the excellent content that we've already posted in the past, but make sure to check-in frequently to see the awesome content this blog will now provide on an ongoing and continual basis. Please tell us how we're doing as a blog, a website, and most importantly a chapter to help make you the best at what you do. 

Thanks for reading!

Andy Marris

P.S. If you're interested in blogging compelling information here, please don't hesitate to contact me at communications@sewi-atd.com.

Change is hard. Especially when one feels that one's credibility or competence will be challenged by the change. Yet every organization is looking for innovation. "Encouraged change." This article by Dorothy Leonard offers some unique perspectives on how fresh eyes, not just new ones and she explains the difference, can lead to innovations in the workplace (such as the space exploration team at NASA).

Doing more with less has been a mantra of organizations for better than a decade now. In fact, on April 22, SEWI-ATD will be offering an event on lean learning. Getting the right competencies in place to ensure your people are as effective as they can be in this environment is critical. This piece by Jim Graber is a great place to start.

If you are a Talent Development professional with five years or more in the industry, you have a wealth of experience. Are you recognized for what you know and do to improve workplace performance and drive productivity?

The CPLP® (Certified Professional in Learning and Performance®) credential tells the world you are the best in the field. You know how to analyze an organization’s needs and design learning programs that have a positive impact on the bottom line. You not only know it; you have demonstrated it in your organization.

The CPLP® credential gives you a competitive advantage in the marketplace, increases your earning potential, and differentiates you from your peers. Global organizations across a wide spectrum of industries seek CPLP® professionals. This includes Hilton Hotels, Allstate, Coca-Cola, Ralph Lauren, Walmart, and Whole Foods to name a few.

Are you interested in learning more? Would you like to join a study group to prepare for the exam or Skills Assessment? SEWI-ATD offers free informational webinars and hosts study groups. Our chapter CPLP® professionals are here to support you on your journey.

To earn the CPLP® credential, you must have five years of talent development experience. Next, you take an exam that covers talent development’s 10 Areas of Expertise. After passing the exam, you complete a Skills Assessment Exam, where you apply what you know to business cases in your specific area of expertise (e.g., Instructional Design, Change Management, Learning Technologies, etc.).

**This blog post was authored by Marilyn Zwissler, 2016 Past-President of SEWI-ATD, and a credentialized CPLP.

How often have you heard or maybe said yourself that talent development deserves a seat at the senior team table? CLO Magazine is named after the concept of a Chief Learning Officer, yet they are often few and far between. As learning professionals, we need to not only know our business, but the business that we serve. In essence, get out of training and into the business you're training for, making them better at what they are in business to do. This article from Sara Fister Gale brings this concept home.

With organizations spending so much money on training their people (and let's face it, that money is going to many of us), how can we ensure that knowledge  gained isn't knowledge lost? How do we get the participants to actually apply what they've learned? This Art Kohn article is an excellent read, as it speaks to boosting both retention and application.

When soldiers in the Vietnam War started frequently assassinating their superior officers, the US Army quickly learned it had to change its preferred style of leadership, command and control. The disturbing practice had become so common, it even earned a nickname, "fragging."  From this dark time in the Army's history to today, where emotional intelligence and informed decision making is valued, the army has really evolved in how it leads its people. This article is an interesting read on leadership, including the Army's focus on training, education, and experience.

Today marks the start of Employee Learning Week (December 7-11, 2015).  You can help promote it in the following ways:

• Encourage employees to attend a course or program that will enhance their skills
• Hold an education fair or “lunch and learn” during the week to remind employees about training opportunities
• Send an email to employees each day of the week with a new learning tip
• Involve the CEO and senior executives in recognizing the value learning brings to the organization
• Submit a proclamation request to government officials within your community, city, or region to highlight your Employee Learning Week events and activities

We'd love to hear what you are doing to promote Employee Learning Week.  Send us your ideas for a chance to win an Amazon Fire, ATD books, among other great prizes.

A Blast from the Discovery Past

We've Gotta Stop Meeting Like This!