Welcome to SLA Connections, your source for news and information from the information profession and industry.
Leadership and Learning
So much of what I think, say and write as a part of the global community of info pros is about leadership – about taking charge of our individual and collective destinies but doing so in a way that connects well with the goals of our respective organizations, of our profession, and of SLA. What I’d like to share with you in 2006 is the dramatic need for learning in the context of leadership.
So many people in the working world think leadership is about knowing strategy, about knowing your audience/customer/user, about having the ability to communicate to employees and peers (among others) so that they understand your vision and goals. These things are very important, indeed. But the trap that so many leaders – and would-be leaders – encounter is a belief that thinking, visioning, communicating, creating, and developing processes are static. In other words, many of us end up using the same old stuff over and over again, expecting to get the same result. Someone smarter than me determined that this is the definition of insanity!
It is highly unlikely that anyone in the modern age will run the course of their career with the same leadership philosophy or style. Rather, those of us who are leaders (and especially those of us who would like to be leaders) have to embrace an evolutionary leadership style. We must begin with our own beliefs and ideals about the way things ought to be in our organizations, but we also have to find a way to synchronize our own philosophy with the perspectives, needs, and goals of others who work for and with us. This seems obvious, but I point it out as a prime example of evolutionary leadership.
The challenge occurs when we experience satisfaction in our success as leaders, are asked to replicate that success through new career opportunities or simply expanded responsibilities in our current jobs. The mind immediately begins to recall what worked well in our successful roles as leaders, and molds our practices based on the “good stuff.” I would argue that, with each and every new opportunity, we should resist the notion to simply lead on autopilot.
This is where information professionals have a strategic advantage over many other employees in our organizations. Our skills and proficiencies are focused on things that can help us to be evolutionary leaders: environmental scanning, information analysis and assurance, and a desire to share information are basic elements for fighting the tendency to lead on autopilot. As practitioners in your organization, you wouldn’t provide the same set of data, information and knowledge to your superiors over and over again! As you grow as a leader, remember that you want to retain the abilities and knowledge that has made you successful to this point. But you also have to examine the environment, reassure yourself of the appropriate information for use in the next effort, and share information with others so they can help you determine the best course of action.
Sounds easy, right? It’s counter-intuitive for most people, I think. But you’re an info pro! You’ve got the skills. Make it happen in your work, in your community, and in SLA.
Janice’s List
The Essential Drucker, by Peter Drucker. The greatest management thinker of the 20th Century passed away in late 2005, but this collection of his best writings on leadership in the modern organization, still gets me through some nebulous situations as a leader and manager.
Burning Question
Have you made a resolution to do (or not do) something in 2006? I’d like to know! Email me at janice@sla.org.
Consider This
“Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.” Unknown
Gadget Geeks in Heaven at CES
The focus of this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas was on gadgets, from Skype WiFi mobile phones to the new Sony Reader for e-books. And the Blackberry now has some competition, with the release of the new Palm Treo 700, powered by Microsoft Mobile 5.0 OS. Reviews on it are mixed, though. Read more from Wired.com.
Is Benchmarking Dead?
Not likely, but Harvard Business School professor Robert S. Kaplan suggests that commoditized processes or services, like pricing for similar products, or payroll systems at similar organizations are suited for benchmarking. But when comparing similar processes or services have differing value propositions (like suits from Armani versus suits at Wal-Mart), a different approach is required. Read more from Harvard’s Working Knowledge.
A Tribute to Peter Drucker
No, we won’t extol his virtues here, though you can read a tribute to the late management theorist in the December issue of Information Outlook. But the Leader to Leader Institute and the Microsoft Leadership Forum are hosting a free Web seminar focusing on Drucker’s influence in the world of management. The event features a distinguished panel of presenters, including Marshall Goldsmith, Tom Peters, David Maister, and Frances Hesselbein. To learn more, or to join the seminar, click here.
Creativity Has Its Rewards
Dan Pink, our friend and President’s Showcase speaker at SLA 2005, is now writing for Yahoo! Finance. His most recent column suggests that right brain thinkers are leading a new economic revolution around the world – and may have some advantages you wouldn’t expect. Read more from Yahoo! Finance.
Google Innovation Update: Video on Demand
They’re at it again! Google just announced the release of Google Video
at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It’s a part of the well-known Google Beta collection for now, but you can purchase, download, and view shows, sporting events, even television commercials. What’s makes Google’s service different from others like Apple’s iTunes is that Google allows content suppliers to name their price, which means you likely end up paying less for a video.
Cool Site: Moving Here: 200 Years of Migration to England
Explore the migration experience! This huge database of photographs, personal papers, government documents, maps, art objects, sound recordings, and video clips tells the stories of people who migrated to England in the last two hundred years.
New Dues Rates in Effect
The new membership dues structure approved last year went into effect 1 January. Full members’ dues are now US$160 a year for those earning US$35,000 a year or more and US$99 for those earning less than US$35,000. Organizational memberships now are US$650 a year. Retired, student, and virtual membership rates remain unchanged. The fee to join an extra chapter or division is now US$18; the fee to join a caucus is US$12.
Dues Discount
SLA members paying the US$160 a year dues rate now are eligible for a discount on their membership fees. Members who pay for three full years’ membership qualify to receive a 10% discount—US$48. As usual, your dues payment will include selection of one chapter and one division with which you may affiliate. Additional unit affiliations will not be discounted.
Leadership Summit
SLA leaders gather in Houston, Texas, 17-21 January for Leadership Summit. Doug Lipp, author and international expert on leadership will be the keynote speaker. The SLA Board of Directors meet on 18 and 21 January.
Summit Sponsors
SLA thanks its Leadership Summit sponsors! Without these corporate sponsors, we would not be able to provide this thoughtful and meaningful learning opportunity.
Gold Sponsor – Factiva
Factiva’s generous sponsorship is funding the Keynote Address from Doug Lipp, the Leadership Reception, and the Leadership Luncheon.
Silver Sponsor – LexisNexis
LexisNexis’ generous sponsorship is funding Registration and the Board of Directors Coffee Breaks.
Bronze Sponsor – Dialog
Dialog’s generous sponsorship is funding the Leadership Breakfasts.
SLA Board of Directors Election
Prepare to cast your ballot. Polls open 23 January to select officers and other members of the SLA Board of Directors.
The eVoting Web site (www.sla.org/evote2006) goes live on 23 January. The polls will be open until 3 March.
Eligible voting members who have not provided SLA with an email address will be mailed a paper ballot, to be completed and return postmarked by 3 March. Members may vote online or on paper, but each is entitled to only one vote. (SLA will cross-check paper and online ballots.)
Candidate's biographies are in this month’s issue of Information Outlook. You can read about your candidates online at www.sla.org/BODcandidates.
SLA 2006 Registration Opens
Registration for SLA 2006 in Baltimore is now up and running. The Annual Conference will be held 11-14 June in Baltimore, Maryland. The conference theme is “Baltimore—Where Tradition and Transformation Converge.”
By registering early, you save US$100. If you are a non-member, join now and save $250 on your registration costs. Register online at www.sla.org/baltimore2006.
Here’s a quick SLA 2006 overview:
• Saturday, 10 June – Sunday, 11 June – Pre-Conference Learning Sessions
• Sunday, 11 June – Tuesday, 13 June – SLA INFO-EXPO
• Sunday, 11 June – Keynote Speaker Gwen Ifill of public television’s “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer”
• Monday, 12 June – Wednesday 14 June – Conference Programs
• Tuesday, 13 June – SLA Annual Business Meeting
• Tuesday, 13 June – 2006 SLA Awards & Honors Reception
• Wednesday, 14 June – Keynote Speaker Walt Mossberg of The Wall Street Journal
• Thursday, 15 June – Post-Conference Events
The Incredible, Expanding INFO-EXPO
The SLA 2006 INFO-EXPO is already close to meeting goal. It’s only January, but already more than 200 exhibitors have signed up for more than 400 booths. We normally don’t reach that mark until April or May.
More than 20 new exhibitors have registered to exhibit at the SLA show. SLA members and conference attendees: please keep making INFO-EXPO “The” show for information management companies to exhibit—make time to visit the hall and tour the exhibits. Your time is valuable to our exhibitors. Visit the Virtual INFO-EXPO Center.
Celebrate SLA’s Shining Stars
The 2006 SLA Awards & Honors presentations, unlike previous years, will take place as part of the Annual Conference general sessions. This makes it possible for all attendees to participate and celebrate the Association’s award winners and honorees—our “shining stars.”
The 2006 SLA Awards & Honors Reception will be held Tuesday, 13 June, 8:00 p.m. to midnight EST aboard the U.S.S. Constellation, anchored in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The soiree will feature a boatload of fresh local seafood, landlubber fare, and ample libations.
Update your Information
Did your home or work contact information change recently? If you moved across the globe or simply have a new e-mail address or telephone extension, please keep your professional home up-to-date! Kindly take a few minutes to review or Update Your Information to ensure SLA has all of your current and correct contact information.
Value for Membership—Neglected Service
Did you know that you, as an SLA member, have exclusive access to a powerful news service, tailored specifically to your needs?
"News Connections" is available exclusively to SLA members through our Web site. Throughout the week, Carolyn Sosnowski, MLIS, of our SLA Information Center utilizes our contracted access to Factiva and Nexcerpt to continually collect and update industry news. Content focuses on copyright issues, competitive intelligence, Web design, vendor news, and blogging.
Click on the link above and bookmark it. It’s one of the many tools and services available under the “Resources” tab on our Web site.
We know some of you may prefer a summary emailed to you, but SLA’s licensing prohibits that. Members are, however, entitled to a 10% discount on Nexcerpt subscriptions.
Bookmark “News Connections” today.
Beginning this year, all SLA learning opportunities—Virtual Learning Series (VLS) courses, Continuing Education (CE) courses at Annual Conference—are coming under the umbrella of Click University. These learning experiences, which feature a live component, now will be branded “Click U. Live.”
Learning comes first in SLA’s mission—Learning, Advocacy, and Networking. Enhancing and expanding the professional development and continuing education opportunities available exclusively to SLA members through Click University is SLA’s major goal for 2006.
Lesley Ellen Harris' Winter/Spring 2006 Schedule of Courses
Lesley Ellen Harris is a Copyright, Licensing, and E-commerce Lawyer/Consultant who works on legal, business, and strategic issues in the publishing, content, entertainment, Internet, and information industries. Lesley's clients range from individuals to governments, associations, unions, and corporations. She also works with libraries, archives, museums and educational institutions.
Her topics include:
Canadian Copyright Law Online Winter/Spring 2006
January 23 – February 24, 2006 [5 Week Course]
March 6 – April 28, 2006 [8 Week Course]
US Copyright Law Online Winter/Spring 2006
January 23 – February 24, 2006 [5 Week Course]
March 6 – April 28, 2006 [8 Week Course]
Digital Licensing Online Spring 2006
May 1- June 30, 2006 [9 Week Course]
Digital Content Management Spring 200
March 6 – April 28, 2006 [5 Week Course]
May 1- June 23, 2006 [8 Week Course]
Primer on International Copyright Law Spring 2006
May 1 – May 19, 2006 [3 Week Course]
Managing Copyright Online Spring 2006
March 6 – April 28, 2008 [8 Week Course]
May 1 – June 23, 2006 [8 Week Course]
Elsevier’s Scirus Expands Free Online STM Offerings
Factiva Earns U.S. Patent for Intelligent Indexing Taxonomy
Infotrieve Converts ArticleFinder to Free Access Model
Thomson Partners with Chinese Government to Promote Innovation
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