Quantum² Highlights - January 2004
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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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Quantum² Highlights - January 2004
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Dear Quantum² Member,

Happy 2004 to all of you.  We hope you're as excited about the possibilities for the New Year as we are here at Dialog.  We are still offering our forum topic on ROI: 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. (See <http://www.dialog.com/communities/forums/> to register for the Discussion Forum.)

In this issue of Quantum² Highlights

• Quantum² Web Sessions
• Upcoming Quantum² Sessions
• Quantum² Info Mapping Article 
• Getting to Know Your Quantum² Coach

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Quantum² Web Sessions
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We've scheduled a series of our popular Web sessions through June. The World Clock at <http://www.worldtimeserver.com/> will help you to determine your local time.

The following WebEx sessions are being conducted for the Quantum² program in the coming months.

Linking Information Services to Compelling Financial Events
February 12, 2004
2:00 PM GMT

Defining the Value of Information: Beyond ROI
March 11, 2004
2:00 PM EST

Creating Value-Added Research & Analysis
April 8, 2004
2:00 PM GMT

Linking Information Services to Compelling Financial Events
May 13, 2004
2:00 PM EST

Assessing Clients' Needs: Map the Information Flow
June 17, 2004
2:00 PM GMT

The following WebEx sessions are being conducted for the SLA Leadership Management Division
 
Achieving Results through Relationships: The Power of Influence
January 28, 2004
5:00 PM PST

Creating Value-added Research and Analysis
February 19, 2004
2:00 PM EST

Achieving Results through Relationships: The Power of Influence
March 11, 2004
2:00 PM GMT

Assessing Clients' Needs: Map the Information Flow
May 6, 2004
2:00 PM EST

Defining the Value of Information Services: Beyond ROI
July 22, 2004
2:00 PM EST

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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Dialog will be holding a Quantum² day at the following locations:

Milan, Tuesday, March 2, 2004
(To register, e-mail customer.italy@dialog.com or call 0039 02 569 40 47)

Barcelona, Tuesday, March 23, 2004
(To register, e-mail EMEAAP_comms@dialog.com or fax 0044 20 7940 68 23)

Madrid, Wednesday, March 24, 2004
(To register, e-mail EMEAAP_comms@dialog.com or fax 0044 20 7940 68 23)

The presentations each day will be:

• Assessing Clients' Needs: Map Information Flows
• Marketing Information Services
• Defining the Value of Information Services: Beyond ROI

In addition, Quantum² will be conducted at the following Special Libraries Association events in the United States:

• Southern Appalachian Chapter, Thursday, March 18, 2004, Marketing Information Services
• Western Canada Chapter, Monday, March 22, 2004, Achieving Results through Relationships: The Power of Influence

(To register for these events, please contact your local chapter program chair.)

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Quantum² Info Mapping Article
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The Quantum² team believes in contributing to the information industry in as many ways as possible, including writing articles for industry literature. In the January/February issue of the Information Management Journal, there is an article titled "Mapping Information Flows: A Practical Guide" by Betty Jo Hibberd and Allison Evatt. (Vol. 38, No.1, pp 58-64).  Here is a brief synopsis.

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 Information Resource Center (IRC) services, create a picture of the competitive landscape, and help define the necessary actions for short-term and long-term budget definition.

Simply put, there are three main reasons why you should map information flows within your organization:

1.   Mapping information flows is important to enable understanding of how, and by whom information is used, to pinpoint the ultimate client of the information center, and to focus on the highest potential opportunities for service.

2.   Information mapping based on goals and objectives of the organization can help shift the information professional's natural bottom-up point of view to a top-down, strategic perspective.

3.  Information mapping can help increase visibility and perceived value of the information center.

In addition, the article offers five steps as a simple, practical guide to the process of information mapping.

Want to know more? Download the entire article at http://scientific.thomson.com/quantum/media/pdfs/mapping_info_flows.pdf.

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Getting to Know Your Quantum² Coach
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This month's featured coach is Vicki Sullivan.
 
How long have you worked for Dialog?
I joined Dialog in July 2001.

How did you come to join Dialog?
Hoover's Online closed their local office and I didn't want to move to Texas, so I joined Dialog as an Information Consultant.  I'd been a customer off-and-on since 1979 so I knew what a good product we had here.

What are your key responsibilities?
I'm a training consultant, so most of my time is spent making people competent and comfortable while searching our products.  Since I'm based in DC, a lot of my clients are law firms or government agencies.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
I love getting into places and seeing what's important to them, what their major projects are, how they project themselves to the organization through their website.  My customers are great and I learn something from them every day.

What is the most challenging aspect of your work?
Trying to keep up with so many product lines is tough.

How do you balance work and personal life?
I'm pretty organized and work hard and effectively when I am here.  When I'm not here -- I have lots of things that I'm involved with and they get my full attention.

What did you want to be, growing up?
Initially, a surgeon -- after all, I was in love with Dr Kildare.  Then I figured out it was best not to grow up, so I'm fighting it all the way.

What three words would you use to describe yourself today?
Irreverent, free-thinker, and interested. 

What are your plans for the future?
I'm a big believer in the power of serendipity -- I've done a lot of good and interesting things, not a one of which would have been on any five-year plan.  Opportunities happen to people who are open to change.

 
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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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