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Knowledge Infusion works with the top organizations in the world on developing talent management strategies and create plans to use technology to support those strategies.

As part of that work is always the discussion about the workforce of the future.  Bill Gates, CEO of Microsoft, has publicly stated that he is scared to death about the future of the US workforce. 

Fast Company in September does a BRILLIANT job of discussing the future of the workforce and ties back to corporate America. 

Do we want Microsoft training our kids for the future?  Maybe we do, but what is that impact - DRONES?

Take a read and let us know your thoughts

Another infusion of knowledge...

Microsoft's Class Action - Philadelphia - High School of the Future - Partners in Learning -

Blackberry's are part of everyday life at Knowledge Infusion insuring the highest possible level of collaboration between and within our organization and our customers.  Today, I had the opportunity to visit a company where EVERYONE was using their Blackberry the entire day, even while their CEO was speaking. 

Great article below and quick excerpt:

While the Blackberry may facilitate workplace efficiency and autonomy, it ���shifts expectations of availability.��� When everyone in a firm keeps a Blackberry as constant companion, the temptation to send messages during evening and other downtime hours grows. There is ���escalating commitment and dependence on the Blackberry, a spiral of expectations and feeling constantly on call.��� The work day simply has no end

Another quick infusion of knowledge...

MIT World �� : CrackBerrys: Exploring the Social Implications of Wireless Email Devices

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You may ask, why is this something Knowledge Infusion is writing about.  Simple answer, our customers are thinking and talking about it.

Today...

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) agreed to acquire Parlano, which provides technology to allow companies to create group chat sessions for employees, and add the application to its portfolio of communication offerings.

And at the same time, we had the opportunity to meet with a leading hospitality provider who is looking to build online communities through messaging for training, collaboration, knowledge sharing and even some basic labor scheduling.

As collaborative technologies gain traction in the enterprise, more and more HR leaders (technology, HR, talent management and the business) are asking, "How can we use these technologies to do our job better and connect employees to the organization?"

This move by Microsoft is another example of how technologies that in the past have been for only consumers will soon takeover as one of the key initiatives for HR organizations globally.

Another infusion of knowledge...

Microsoft to buy corporate group-chat provider

As part of the Knowledge Infusion Quick Infusion series, the Fast Company blog has a good piece on effective 360 reviews and performance management.

4 things to take away from article?

What is truly a 360?

How should 360's be used?

Not all 360's are the same

Don't forget to review results

Read and learn..

Another quick infusion of knowledge...

Careers: 4 Keys to Effective 360s

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Contributed by David Barron - mailto:david.barron@knowledge-infusion.com, Principal Consultant, Knowledge Infusion

Knowledge Infusion is conducting more and more software selection advisory services each day.  The following installments will help chronicle some of what we are seeing.

Before I get to the obvious in the next installment, a quick observation on something that may not be so obvious ��� the name.

By the title, one would immediately conclude that we are looking at software feature/functions to evaluate the best fit for an organization. Well, while that is certainly an important piece of the puzzle, it isn���t everything.

An organization should be assessing other factors like viability, vision, product roadmap, cultural fit, technology path, hosting, and of course cost. With the newer SAAS (Software as a Service) model, the non-software items become even more important because of what the vendor is providing.

Maybe it should be OBVIOUS that we change the name from Software Evaluations to Provider Assessments.

Your thoughts?

Another infusion of knowledge...

Knowledge Infusion is continually looking to partner with leaders in the HR and talent management space.  Jon Ingham is one of those gentlemen that truly does some amazing work to help change this game forever.

A quick call out to Jon and take a read of his blog!  Great work Jon...

Another infusion of knowledge...

Jon Ingham's Strategic Human Capital Management (HCM) Blog: My HCM blogroll

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At Knowledge Infusion, our customers continue to ask us "What is that called?", "What kind of consulting do you do, it is different than what we have seen in the past?".  The answer is simple, we are building together with our Center of Excellence and Enterprise Clients a community that will redefine the HR and Talent space forever.

Today is a great example of that.  On our sister blog, The Human Capitalist, Jason Corsello has launched an ad-hoc poll to get your opinion on what an emerging category should be called around workforce information, analytics, scorecards and metrics.

Click below and take 5 seconds to complete the 1 question poll.  You are helping build the future of this space around HR technology.

Have a great day and your being part of our community grows in importance each day.  Stay tuned leading up to the HR Technology Conference in Chicago in October, as we will continue to change this space.

Another infusion of knowledge and chance for building a community together...

Click here to take survey!!

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Great article from Investors Business Daily on Friday surrounding talent and what leading organizations are thinking about.  Are you there?

Organizations are beginning to ask Knowledge Infusion more and more about our Deployment Excellence offerings and how we can help them market their efforts around talent.  This is a perfect example.  Take a read..

A few excerpts:

• Higher education has not kept pace with the needs of Big Pharma or biotech, says Stephen Fussell, senior vice president of human resources at Abbott Laboratories * "We want to get our unfair share of the best people," said Fussell. * Because we're preparing for it, we won't face the situation in which other companies might find themselves -- trying to fill half to two-thirds of senior leadership positions five to seven years from now with people from outside the company. You can imagine the challenges associated with that. * Last year we spent over $90 million on learning and development. This year it will be over $105 million. That's the cost of training programs, not salaries and housing. It includes internships, entry level and management programs. We keep increasing that money as the company grows. It's a good investment.

Your overall HR, talent management and workforce optimization and planning processes and technologies are critical to competing for talent into the future.

Another infusion of knowledge..

Talent Shortage Puts Abbott Exec In Proactive Mode

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On a daily basis, Knowledge Infusion works with organizations assisting them with their overall e-HR strategy. 

What should be included in a e-HR strategy?:

• Intranet/Portal * Collaboration * Instant Messenger * Direct Access (HRMS) * Talent Management Technologies * Reporting and Workforce Intelligence * Communication and Deployment * Backup Plans

Today, Skype went down.  What are people saying?

"What I am a little bit upset about is the way this is being handled," he said, adding that despite Skype's communications to users, he's not entirely sure what had happened. "I just hope that they will learn themselves to handle situations like this better in the future."

It is very important to insure that when technology fails, we have a communication plan and backup plan.  Without this, the HR and IT organization quickly loses credibility and cause months of rebuilding of trust.

Another infusion of knowledge...

Link to Forbes Article

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Contributed by mailto:neil.jensen@knowledge-infusion.com; Principal Consultant, Knowledge Infusion

I wanted to take a minute to highlight an experience with state government and particularly the Department of Motor Vehicles. DMV you say? I know what you are thinking, I'm about to tell a tale of long lines and bad service. Fortunately my friend, I have a story to the contrary.

I have to tip my cap to the great state of Arizona. Not only do we boast 330 days of sunshine a year, the red rocks of Sedona, the NL West leading Arizona Diamondbacks, but also the best Direct Access DMV system in the world.

(You did read that right. I did just say the best Direct Access DMV system in the world.)

You see, I was recently faced with the daunting task of changing the address on my drivers license. Now, in most instances this would send shivers down my spine at the thought of driving down to the local office, taking a number and waiting for several hours before I had the opportunity to state my case and get an updated license. Not in the great state of Arizona!

Instead, I simply jumped online, typed in www.servicearizona.com and selected the link to change my address. After a few short steps I was done. Even better, after a few short days my new drivers license arrived via US Postal Service and found its natural place in my wallet.

No waiting.

No lines.

No frustration.

Just an excellent example of Direct Access done right. I owned and managed the information that was pertinent to me and didn't need to rely on anyone else to intervene.

When thinking about your Direct Access deployments; never forget:

• Who is the audience? * What is their expectation? * How have you communicated and marketed? * How can you exceed their expectations?

AZ, you have my many thanks and appreciation for a job well done.

Another Infusion of knowledge...

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Knowledge Infusion is working with many enterprise clients as well as HR and Talent Management technology vendors as together, we redefine the future of HR.

The Wall Street Journal had an interesting piece on Mashups that we thought would be educational for all.

This is the future folks.  Take a read.

Another infusion of knowledge...

Link to WSJ Story

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Contributed by mailto:david.link@knowledge-infusion.com , Managing Consultant, Knowledge Infusion

At Knowledge Infusion, everything starts with a strategy.  From a process change, to a software selection, to a change management/communication plan, the strategy is the key.  David has contributed a great piece around HR strategy and business results.

The attention to HR Strategy and its relationship to successfully driving business results continues to grow. Talk to any executive today about the role of HR in influencing and supporting business goals and you���ll get a healthy appreciation for the high expectations that are building for HR to deliver. Foremost in the discussions are how HR Strategy will drive results defined by the overall business strategy (the strategy that counts the most). An important theme is beginning to form in these executive expectations ��� how do we develop leaders? As organizations scramble to shape their talent management plans to accommodate changing workforce demographics and shrinking talent pools, the issue that is gaining higher priority is leadership development.

The current edition of Harvard Business Review (Jul/Aug 2007) includes a great article by HR strategy gurus Dave Ulrich and Norm Smallwood that previews their soon to be released book: Leadership Brand: Developing Customer-Focused Leaders to Drive Performance and Build Lasting Value. Through case examples, Ulrich and Smallwood expand the topic of leadership development to a new level supporting overall brand of the organization. The cases illustrate this Brand Leadership as a ���reputation for developing exceptional managers with a distinct set of talents that are uniquely geared to fulfill customers��� and in