Recently, I was telling my friend a story of how I "cheated" on a crossword puzzle by using the internet to answer a few clues. The consummate kindergarten teacher told me, "That wasn't cheating. You were making good use of your resources."  I've had more than a few opportunities over the past couple of weeks to "use my resources" for things that are a bit more challenging than the crossword in the Washington Post Magazine. These were indeed opportunities for me to cross into the realm of technology -- an area that is more and more pushing into my comfort zone. And now that I have successfully moved music from my mp3 player to a new computer, and synced my new phone with the calendar-not-the-contacts, I'm a bit more confident about "getting under the hood" of some of these devices.

Some of our very best resources are our friends and colleagues. While we might be hesitant to expose a weakness, when we do, everyone learns from the experience. Certainly, we all have knowledge gaps, and learning flows both ways from the teacher to the student and from the student to the teacher.

As the professional organization for workplace learning and performance professionals, the ASTD members should know this well. Your ASTD colleages are ready for any challenge you can give them. Tell us about a time a colleague helped you reach the road to success!

Summer is one of the most memory inducing seasons. The scents and sounds blend together and seem to be the same every year. A passing breeze carries the smell of suntan (now sunscreen) lotion and immediately pulls you back to truly endless summer days spent pool, beach, lakeside, or summer camp. While endless summer has been replaced with responsibility, we do find that things cool down as the temperature heats up. How do you take advantage of your "break?" Are you preparing for the CPLP? Leading a Second Life? Taking an online course? Catching up on filing, or taking a breather? Tell us how you make the most of the precious downtime that summer brings.

Search the blogs for "ASTD" this week, and the ASTD International Conference in San Diego rises to the top. Keynote speakers, links to handouts, session discussions, and general disussions make for some great reading.

• E-learning Technology
• Time2MarketBlog.com
• Cromely's World
• Jobing.com
• Adventures in Corporate Education
• Lead 2020
• Coaching Businesses and Life, a view from Long Beach
• enter/TRAINING
• Cup of Good Intentions

 

In just a little over a week (June 1-4) ASTD will host our International Conference & Exposition in San Diego, California. With over 279 concurrent sessions, exciting general session speakers (Malcom Gladwell, Patrick Lencioni, and Kay Koplovitz to drop a few names), author signings, and networking galore, ASTD members and guests are guaranteed to have a wonderful time and great learning experience.

If you are coming to the conference (you can sign up on site if you haven't yet registered) be sure to stop by and see us at the ASTD Connection Center in the EXPO Hall. Take a few minutes to give us your story, and get your picture taken so you can be featured on the cover of T+D magazine.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Several years ago, an ASTD member came up to the ASTD booth at an industry conference.  "I have to tell you," she said, "ASTD saved my job." The staff member working the booth was pleased to hear the comment and even more curious to hear her story.

 "Well," she continued, "Just last month, I had been putting together a proposal for a program that we just knew would make a huge impact in our organization. I had promised my boss that I would have a recommended training program in the proposal -- but I hadn't been able to come up with a workable solution on my own. The day before the presention was due, my monthly issue of INFOLINE was in my mail."

Turns out that issue of INFOLINE was a step-by-step program for the solution she was developing.

The member turned and melted into the Expo crowd before the ASTD staff person could get her name.

We'd like to believe that ASTD members probably have a lot of these "Wow" moments -- and if you have had one, we'd love to tell you about it.

To add your "Wow" story, click on "comments" below.

ASTD members are extraordinary people, doing extraordinary work shaping the workforce of today with the workforce of the future in mind. We invite you to take part in ASTD's "reMember" campaign. We've created this space especially for you to share your stories of accomplishment, passion for your career, and vision for the future with your colleagues around the world.

You've come to the right place...have a seat, and take a few minutes to tell us what you want to reMember...

Click on "Comments" underneath any of the posts to participate and share your story.

ASTD has helped members forge lifelong career enhancing relationships. ASTD conferences, including ASTD TechKnowledge and the ASTD International Conference & Exposition and ASTD’s Educational Programs,  bring thousands of people together to talk about the latest development in learning and performance and to learn from professional experts.  Listen to Dave.

“ASTD provides many great professional resources and networking opportunities. I’ve met numerous professional contacts through the association. Membership has been a great asset for my personal career development. ASTD also keeps me updated on the latest industry tools and trends. At the technology conference we were able to test the newest training and development software.”

Dave DeGrandpre
Resource Manager, Learning and Development
Vistaprint

ASTD is always looking for the next big topic in the field of learning and performance. We are constantly working to prove the value of learning, to get ahead of challenges related to talent management and the skills gap, and to define competencies for learning professionals to use as guides in their careers. Having the right skill set is imperative to your overall effectiveness in the learning field. ASTD wants you to have all of the information, data, research, tools, and resources you need to possess a strong knowledge of training design and delivery, business essentials for learning professionals, and management skills for running the learning function sin your business. Listen to Jennifer and John.

“Reasons I recommend ASTD:

·         ASTD Website—www.astd.org—features a lot of great information, such as interactive blogs that enable users to learn best practices and advice from other users.

·         CLPL Program –The CPLP Program has a great reputation and is extremely credible within the industry. As a trainer, it is very important to earn certification as well as keep certification current.

·         Networking Opportunities – ASTD provides fantastic opportunities for members to interact with others in their field. Additionally, ASTD helps members stay current and connected regarding industry trends and best practices, locally as well as globally.”

Jennifer Streeter
HR Director
SRP-MIC 

“ASTD provides information that you can relate directly to your job. With the help of information provided by ASTD, I am able to provide planning information and feedback to stakeholders participating in our training programs. ASTD concepts have enabled us to really involve stakeholders in their own learning process.”

John Hoffer
GCSS Global Learning and Development Operations
Dell, Inc

ASTD has helped thousands of learning professionals advance in their careers. Through networking, we bring professional contacts to you virtually and face-to-face. Our content is leading edge and provides trainers, learning managers, instructional designers, and performance professionals with what they need to know to integrating learning and performance initiatives in the workplace.  ASTD membership brings the whole package to the learning professional. Listen to Pat.

“I discontinued my ASTD membership several years ago. Although I left, ASTD maintained its strong presence in the industry, and I recently rejoined. ASTD is the best all-in-one trainer resource providing training and development information, training, research, and ideas. Additionally, ASTD events are “the place” to network with my peers in different states and countries. The conferences are the bomb. I strongly recommend becoming an ASTD member.”

Patricia Parrish
Training & Development Program Manager
Louisiana Dept. of Revenue