"I would definitely recommend the Institute. The learning and opportunity for exchange of ideas and experience between participants are invaluable." That was just one of the many positive comments from attendees of the Knowledge Executive Institute pilot program held in Seattle last June in conjunction with SLA's annual conference.

The Professional Development Department is proud to unveil its new and improved Knowledge Executive Institute scheduled for June 4-6, 1998, in Indianapolis. This unique program, sponsored by the Dialog Corporation and Teltech Technical Knowledge Service, is designed to teach information professionals the executive skills they need to assume senior-level knowledge roles within their company.

This year's program will feature an extensive exploration of knowledge management and information technology. Tom Davenport, director of the information management program at the University of Texas, Austin, and academic and industry leader in information technology and knowledge management, will lead an in-depth discussion on knowledge-based programs, including programs underway, measures used, impacts experienced, lessons learned, critical competencies, and the organizational infrastructure required. Davenport's hands-on approach to knowledge management will have you working in case teams to draft organizational strategies for knowledge initiatives that pertain to your situation, and have these critiqued by Davenport.

By attending the Institute, you will also gain an understanding of the tools for different applications of knowledge-based initiatives and learn the decision-making criteria for selecting and evaluating the most appropriate information technologies. Amir Hartman, professor, Fisher Center for Information Technology & Management, Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, will discuss these issues as well as explore ways of communicating with and influencing information technology vendors so you can fully understand, manipulate, and initiate the latest knowledge-based technologies within your organization.

Having a solid understanding of knowledge-based initiatives is not the only component to executive-level success. The Institute will also bring in leading faculty to help you develop the leadership and communication skills you need so your initiatives are clearly understood by top executives and achieve the organization-wide buy-in they need. To ensure you develop these skills, the Institute features a personal and professional visioning process and the opportunity to receive input from your peers, superiors, and subordinates on how you are perceived in order to better understand your leadership style.

As the participant evaluations from last year's pilot program demonstrate, the interaction and networking that senior-level information specialists had with others in similar circumstances was one of the most important and valuable aspects of the Knowledge Executive Institute. The Institute has been developed for only those information professionals who manage a staff of 10-plus employees, manage a large budget, and/or exercise high-level organization-wide decision-making authority for information management or policies. Together with the limited class size and all-star faculty, these prerequisites foster an environment suitable for senior-level information professionals to broaden their executive-level competencies.

To view a detailed curriculum outline and to register for the Knowledge Executive Institute, go to the "Educational/Career Opportunities" section of the SLA Web site at: www.sla.org. Early registration is recommended since space is limited. If you have any questions about the Institute, please contact Director, Professional Development Valerie Taylor at 1-202-234-4700, ext. 617.

For more information on "Professional Development Outlook," or to contribute to the column, please contact Director, Professional development Valerie Taylor at: 1-202-234-4700 ext 6127; fax" 1-202-265-9317; e-mail: valerie@sla.org.