Author Archives: Michael Noble PhD

 

Corporate Learners, the Renaissance, and Autodidacticism

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Last week I spent a few days in Orlando at Masie’s Learning 2011 Conference. There was a great line-up of speakers this year—Bill Clinton, John Lithgow, Dean Kamen, Betsy Myers, Sharon Begley, Betsy Sparrow, etc. I’ve learned to appreciate this … Continue reading →

 
Tuesday, November 15th, 2011 5 Comments
 

Happy 25th to Marty Newey!

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It’s Marty’s 25th anniversary at Allen, and we’re getting ready to celebrate (see below for details on the party). Over the years, Marty has kept us all entertained with his stories. Now, it’s our turn!  Please comment on this blog … Continue reading →

 
Tuesday, October 12th, 2010 40 Comments
 

Systematic Creativity?

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Can you take a systems approach to creativity? Many would argue you can’t. At Allen, we’ve created an environment that nurtures & promotes creativity. This environment relies on: Catalytic processes A culture of innovation Smart, talented people Here is our … Continue reading →

 
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 Comment
 

Kindred Spirits

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I spent last week with one of our manufacturing clients, and it struck me (yet again) that manufacturing and ISD are very well suited to each other. Both rely on a systematic approach to performance and production. I felt like … Continue reading →

 
Friday, August 6th, 2010 Comment
 

In Defense of Level 1

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Sometimes I think that we’re too quick to dismiss level-one feedback as we target the upper realms of Donald Kirkpatrick’s levels of evaluation or even Jack Phillips’s ROI. Although such lofty aspirations are noble (and necessary), we can overlook the easy, … Continue reading →

 
Thursday, June 24th, 2010 Comment
 

The Value of Online Discussion

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I teach a senior seminar once a year up at the U. A few weeks ago, the associate director for the department in which I teach attended the class with a few guests, just to observe. We talked for a … Continue reading →

 
Friday, June 18th, 2010 Comment
 

Ideas on Pharma Training

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One of the most interesting experiences of my career at Allen has been the chance I had a few years ago to tour a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. I got to see firsthand how pharmaceuticals are manufactured in bulk and what … Continue reading →

 
Monday, June 7th, 2010 Comment
 

On-Demand Ideas

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I’ve often asked myself why we (the Allen team) sometimes have some of our best, most creative ideas while we’re working on a pre-sales mockup or demo and why that creativity sometimes outshines the work the work that we do … Continue reading →

 
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 1 Comment
 

Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

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I just returned from San Jose, where I was in attendance at Brandon Hall’s Innovations in Learning Conference. I had a great time, connected with some of our clients, and also gave a presentation. I think that training folk are … Continue reading →

 
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 Comment
 

Do you have a road map?

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I’ve been working for the past several weeks with one of our clients in direct selling. We’ve collaborated with them to produce a robust curriculum for their U.S. representatives (in both English and Spanish) over the past four years. Now, … Continue reading →

 
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 Comment