Quantum2 Highlights - November 2003
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You are receiving Quantum2 Highlights, a newsletter of the Dialog leadership development program for information professionals. Unsubscribe information can be found at the bottom of this message.
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Dear Quantum2 Member,
2003 is coming to a close and, as is our custom, next month's highlights will offer a brief overview of this year, our presence at Online in London and our new European InfoStars. Therefore, for this month, we want to encourage you to join our forum to give you a network for interaction until 2004 brings new sessions to attend.
To stimulate discussion, we are beginning a new topic on November 17, 2003, about how to create ROI for your information center. There is a great deal we can learn from one another on this subject; so, please join in and share your experiences.
In this issue of Quantum2 Highlights
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Quantum2 Web Sessions
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Our popular Web sessions continue in November with the following offerings. The World Clock at http://www.worldtimeserver.com/ will help you to determine your local time.
Marketing Information Services
2 - 3:30 p.m. GMT, November 18, 2003
Achieving Results Through Relationships: The Power of Influence
2 - 3:30 p.m. EST, November 20, 2003
For more information and to register, please visit http://scientific.thomson.com/quantum/training/workshops/.
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Upcoming Quantum2 Sessions
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Quantum2 sessions will be presented at the following Dialog events:
Bern, Tuesday, November 11, 2003
(To register, e-mail customer.switzerland@dialog.com or call 0041 43 344 60 60.)
Copenhagen, Wednesday, November 12, 2003
(To register, e-mail benno.jensen@dialog.com or call 0045 70 23 00 01.)
Amsterdam, Wednesday, November 19, 2003
(To register, e-mail gabrielle.derriks@dialog.com or call 0032 26 48 09 02.)
Brussels, Thursday, November 20, 2003
(To register, e-mail gabrielle.derriks@dialog.com or call 0032 26 48 09 02.)
In addition, Quantum2 will be conducted at the following Special Libraries Association events in the United States:
Michigan Chapter, Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Fairfield County Chapter, Thursday, November 13, 2003
(To register for these events, please contact your local chapter program chair.)
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Quantum2 Forum Discussion Thread
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The next Quantum2 Discussion Forum officially kicks off on November 17. The topic, Return on Investment (ROI) for the Information Center, will be active through January 30, 2004, and will be moderated by Marilyn Bromley, a Dialog Quantum2 InfoStar.
Marilyn is the Library Director at The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (BNA), an employee-owned legal publisher in Washington D.C., USA , and is dedicated to ensuring that the Library is appreciated as a valuable part of BNA. Therefore, she was enthusiastic when the Library staff was asked to complete a return on investment (ROI) study for BNA, even though she knew that it would be challenging.
"When BNA's Editor-in-Chief (EiC) asked me in May 2001 to do a return on investment study of the Library's services, I answered, 'I'd love to,' but my heart sank," explains Marilyn. "I knew that calculating the value of our corporate library would be a challenging project, not only because we deal in 'intangibles,' but also because most of our budget is classified as overhead and not charged back to business units. But I also knew that we make a real difference in the work of our company, and that an ROI study would be the perfect way to prove it."
Marilyn also believes that improving technology will simultaneously make things more challenging and easier for information professionals.
"We're a traditional occupation, but we're also service-oriented, and the thing that drives us is meeting the needs of our customers, whoever they are, and that's number one," says Marilyn.
Marilyn's description of the topic of discussion for our forum follows:
As information professionals and special librarians, we have struggled for years to communicate the value of our work and our libraries to the senior management of our organizations. We don't manufacture widgets, which are then sold for a fixed price; we identify, locate, evaluate, organize and provide access to information, and there is a wide range of perceived value to an intangible like information. On the other hand, we spend real money finding and making that information available to our customers and have to justify those budgets.
The goal of this Quantum forum on ROI will be to help participants brainstorm ways to demonstrate value by using return-on-investment techniques and measurements.
Please join us and offer your insights.
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Getting to Know Your Quantum2 Coach
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This month's featured coach is Tesse Santoro.
How long have you worked for Dialog?
I have worked for Dialog for three years.
How did you come to join Dialog?
I have been a Dialog searcher since 1977 (egad!)-I was at Stanford University during the beta testing of Dialog. I had always had great Dialog reps when I managed corporate info centers and often thought I would like to be one. I did become Director of Field Marketing (five years) for a Dialog Database Information Provider, RDS, before joining Dialog.
What are your key responsibilities?
My key responsibilities are managing large media, advertising, PR and financial services accounts for all Dialog products, including many large NewsEdge accounts in New York City.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Working with passionate customers who provide state of the art information solutions to their companies.
What is the most challenging aspect of your work?
Keeping up with all the changes.
How do you balance work and personal life?
I have always worked even when my two girls were small. I enjoy my work, but I also enjoyed motherhood. I also have a fantastic husband who shared responsibility with me for our kids and home. One is now married, and the other is a freshman at college; so, my husband and I are enjoying an empty nest! I am the queen of juggling three things at any time.
What did you want to be, growing up?
A hullabaloo dancer! No, just kidding, My father was a classical musician and for a long time I thought of becoming a singer. But I have always been an avid reader and thought I would end up being a college professor. (I did do that for a while.)
What three words would you use to describe yourself today?
Passionate. Energetic. Loud. (I am a born and bred NYC girl.)
What are your plans for the future?
Getting involved in digital archiving projects. I love local history and feel it is important to preserve.
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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 him or her to sign up today at http://scientific.thomson.com/quantum/.
Regards,
Betty Jo Hibberd
Manager, Information Professional Development
Dialog
Thomson Scientific
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