Quantum2 Highlights February 2004  
In this issue...
Quantum2 Web Sessions

Shaping the Quantum2 Program

Topic of the Month: Mapping Information Flow

Quantum2 Coach Profile
Quantum2 Web Sessions

This year, as a new enhancement to our Quantum2 program, we are offering some of our sessions as a series that pull together various related sessions to create a larger picture. The first of these, a three part series entitled Justifying Value, is being offered twice in one day to accommodate various time zones. The World Clock will convert the hours to match your local time.

Justifying Value I
Measuring Impact: Cost Justification for Information Services
February 24, 2005
9:00 a.m. ET; 2:00 p.m. GMT

February 24, 2005
2:00 p.m. ET; 7:00 p.m. GMT

Leading the Way: Trends and Best Practices in the Information Professional Role
March 17, 2005
2:00 p.m. ET; 7:00 p.m. GMT

Justifying Value II
Understanding the Information Budget Process: Time/Cost/Quality Tradeoffs
April 21, 2005
9:00 a.m. ET; 2:00 p.m. GMT

April 21, 2005
2:00 p.m. ET; 7:00 p.m. GMT

Assessing Clients' Needs: Map the Information Flow
May 19, 2005
2:00 p.m. ET; 7:00 p.m. GMT

Justifying Value III
Defining the Value of Information Services: Beyond ROI
June 23, 2005
9:00 a.m. ET; 2:00 p.m. GMT

June 23, 2005
2:00 p.m. ET; 7:00 p.m. GMT

REGISTER TODAY for these WebEx sessions.
Quantum2 Highlights Archives

Quantum2Quantum2 Highlights
A newsletter of the Dialog leadership development program for information professionals

Dear Quantum2 Member...
In the past few months, we've received feedback from many of you about the Quantum2 program sessions that help you meet your daily challenges. We appreciate your continued confirmation that our efforts are worthwhile. This month, we highlight the importance of understanding how information flows within your organization in order to help define the value of the information center.

Shaping the Quantum2 Program

In 2005, we're interested in enhancing and developing our content for the Quantum2 program and hope that you might have some suggestions. Areas we are considering include measurement and performance evaluation techniques for benchmarking the contribution of information services, management of virtual teams, social networking, management buy-in, as well as effective information handling policies.

As you consider your challenges in aligning services to meet organizational goals and objectives, we would appreciate your input as to the focus you would like us to take in this proposed content. Additionally, we would welcome any contributions you might like to make to the development of these topics. Please send comments to us at dialog.quantum@thomson.com.

Quantum2 Topic of the Month:
Mapping Information Flows: A Practical Guide

Mapping information flows is defined as a process for analyzing how information is transferred from one point to another within the organization. While the concept is simple, it is important to understand that mapping information flows can also support a ranking system to identify the most valuable potential clients for IRC services, create a picture of the competitive landscape, and help define the necessary actions for short and long-term budget definition.

The benefits of mapping information flows are threefold. First, it enables understanding of how information is used and by whom. Secondly, it pinpoints the ultimate client or key stakeholder for various types of information services. And, finally, it helps to focus information services on the highest potential opportunities. This last benefit makes the value of the information center even more obvious.

Mapping information flows is a five-step process:

Step 1 Describe existing clients
Step 2 Identify who should be a client and why
Step 3 Describe potential solutions that are listed and mapped, including new costs
Step 4 Rank solutions based on decision risk level
Step 5 Create an information map

Information mapping based on an organization's goals and objectives can help shift information professionals' natural bottom-up point of view to a top-down, strategic perspective and increase their perceived value.
(Excerpted from a Quantum2 white paper.)

downloadDownload the complete white paper, Mapping Information Flows: A Practical Guide from the Quantum2 website.

Getting to Know Your Quantum2 Coach:
Peggy Decker

Our newest Quantum2 coach is Peggy Decker. Peggy re-joined Dialog as a senior account manager in 2004 after being away from the information industry for nine years. She currently handles New York area strategic accounts in the Legal, Corporate and Professional Services markets.

Prior to re-joining Dialog, Peggy worked with three consulting firms, including Maritz Performance Improvement, Omega Performance and Siebel Systems, where she sold productivity and organizational effectiveness services. At Siebel, she specialized in change management initiatives as companies brought in CRM systems.

Peggy's specialty is business development, marketing and management training as part of Quantum. She has been a Dialog searcher since 1990.

As always, your suggestions for workshop topics are always welcome and encouraged. If you know a friend or colleague who would benefit from Quantum2, please encourage them to sign up today.

Betty Jo HibberdRegards,
Betty Jo Hibberd
Senior Manager
IPMD, NA
Dialog