TechnicalTrainer.org

There are many voices on the web, most like mine … not very loud or influential. But, there are some voices you should be hearing. Here are my selections for the important voices on the web.

Tom Peters - WOW Bill! You went out on a limb here! Why don’t you pick someone really obscure, like Peter Drucker? Well, you probably know Tom Peter, but are you reading Tom Peters? Not just his books, but his blog? Here are some really important things he has to say.

• Yes! You are in Sales! (Video) (PDF Transcript)
• Passion! (Video) (PDF Transcript)
• Definition of Leadership (Video) (PDF Transcript)
• Tom Peters designates what he considers the Best Link Ever.

Will Thalheimer - OK, I know he doesn’t have this designation yet, but I assure you that Will Thalheimer will someday be ranked with the likes of Malcolm Knowles, Robert Gagne, Thiagi, and Donald Kirkpatrick/Jack Phillips (take your measurement pick). He is that good. Seriously! Here are some really important things he has to say.

• The Learning Landscape Model
• Will’s Suggestion of a must-see Instruction Design video … just say Thiagi! (the video itself)
• A FREE research report on Feedback
• Will’s Work-Learning Audit Results
• Absolutely Essential Reading! - Will Thalheimer on Myths and Bogus Research

Garr Reynolds - If you haven’t yet read Garr Reynolds’ book, Presentation Zen. Go immediately to Amazon.com, and order the book now. (Just click this link to make it easy.) He is the master of presentations, and if you read his material you will create better presentations! Here are some really important things he has to say.

• Brain Rules for Presentations (based on Dr. John Medina’s book - Brain Rules)
• Refrain from Using Powerpoint (Toyota CEO urging employees to stop Powerpoint’ing).
• Garr Reynold’s website with his presentations.

All of these people are 5-Socrates teachers. In all honesty, Will and Garr are very close to a 6-Socrates score.

Note: I think Socrates was a tremendous teacher. I don’t agree with a lot of his opinions, but I always learned by reading about him and his methods. So, he is the golden measure by which all teachers should be measured.

• 0 Socrates = Bring on the hemlock!
• 1 Socrates = A trial is in your future!
• 2 Socrates = Does the word gadfly mean anything to you?
• 3 Socrates = Nearly virtuous. At least good enough to talk yourself out of some debts!
• 4 Socrates = Virtuous.
• 5 Socrates = You stand side-by-side with the likes of Plato and Aristotle. Considered exile lately?
• 6 Socrates = You are the ideal of Socrates himself. Bring on the hemlock!