MikeAbrams

Updates for Learning Innovation Campus Open House 11/02

We are running two grand opening celebrations to enable the most amount of business people across the world to attend. We hope you join us and bring your team for free presentations, prizes, tours, live music and lots of questions being answered. All times listed are US Pacific Time.

Lunchtime Celebration – REGISTER ONLINE NOW

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM  (LOCATION: Plaza Stage)

• Welcome and introductions
• Raffle Entry (Prizes include: books, free campus office space rental certificate, training, SL gift certificates)

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM  (LOCATION: Welcome Area, “Tour Guide Kiosk”)

• Guided Tours of the Campus (11:30, 11:45, 12:00, 12:15)

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM  (LOCATION: Plaza Stage)

• Joaquin Gustav (http://www.purevolume.com/joaquingustav) rocks that stage. Gustav is known for his guitar interpretations of smooth jazz, rock, and South American music such as tango, milonga, and candombe.

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM  (Location: Conference Center – Main Room)

• Jennette Forager – Director of the Epoch Institute and Community Manager for the Metanomics program will be speaking on using Virtual World tools for teaching and presentation purposes.

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM  (Location: TBD Consulting Training Room)

• Karen Trog – TBD Consulting, Director of Learning Services speaking on designing high impact learning assessments for training. (http://www.tbdconsulting.com)

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM  (Location: Rental Office)

• Open House – Mike Abrams (Milford Revnik) / Jonena Relth (Jonenal Revnik) host and answer questions.

12:45 PM  – 1:00 PM  (LOCATION: Plaza Stage)

• Raffle Drawing (Prizes!!!!!)
• Close out the event

Evening Celebration – REGISTER ONLINE NOW

5:00 PM – 5:30 PM  (LOCATION: Plaza Stage)

• Welcome and introductions
• Raffle Entry (Prizes include: books, free campus office space rental certificate, training, SL gift certificates)

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM  (LOCATION: Welcome Area, “Tour Guide Kiosk”)

• Guided Tours of the Campus (5:30, 5:45, 6:00, 6:15)

5:30 PM – 6:30 PM  (LOCATION: Plaza Stage)

• Von Johin (http://www.vonjohin.com) rocks the stage. Blues musician, guitarist and vocalist, he will be playing the blues of BB King, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixion, Blind Lemon Jefferson and many more.

5:45 PM – 6:30 PM  (Location: SalesTeam East – Training Room)

• Ernie Young – SalesTeam East, presents “Best Practices in Selling.” (http://www.SalesTeamEast.com).

5:45 PM – 6:30 PM  (Location: Creativity Park)

• Mike Mulvihill – PossibiliTeams (http://www.possibiliteams.com) presents Virtual Teambuilding.  This unique activitiy is a virtual version of the classic “Whale Watch” activity done on many ropes courses and team building sessions.  Come experience this activity in virtual space. View this activity on YouTube .

5:45 PM – 6:45 PM  (Location: Rental Office)

• Open House – Mike Abrams (Milford Revnik) / Jonena Relth (Jonenal Revnik) host and answer questions.

6:45 PM  – 7:00 PM  (LOCATION: Plaza Stage)

• Raffle Drawing (Prizes!!!!!)
• Close out the event

For more information, contact TBD Consulting at 602-263-1961.

Come Join us! Grand Opening Party in Second Life November 2nd

We are running two grand opening celebrations to enable the most amount of business people across the world to attend. We hope you join us and bring your team for prizes, tours, live music and lots of questions being answered. All times listed are US Pacific Time.

Bookmark our newest Blog: Learning Innovation Campus to stay in the know: http://sllic.wordpress.com

Lunchtime Celebration Agenda

11:00 AM   REGISTER ONLINE NOW

• Welcome and introductions
• Raffle Entry (Prizes include: books, free island rental certificate, training, SL gift certificates)
• Scheduled Tours of the Campus (every 15 minutes)

11:30 AM

• Live Entertainment - guitarist Joaquin Gustav entertains 11:30pm-12:30pm
• 2 Training Presentations - Topics to be announced closer to event.
• Teambuilding Activity Demonstration
• Open house at Property Mgt Office

12:45 PM

• Raffle Drawing (Prizes!!!!!)
• Close out the event

Evening Celebration Agenda

5:00 PM  REGISTER ONLINE NOW

• Welcome and introductions
• Raffle Entry (Prizes include: books, free island rental certificate, training, SL gift certificates)
• Scheduled Tours of the Campus (every 15 minutes)

5:30 PM

• Live Entertainment - Musician Von Johin plays the blues 5:30pm-7:30
• 2 Training Presentations - Topics to be announced closer to event.
• Teambuilding Activity Demonstration
• Open house at Property Mgt Office

6:45 PM

• Raffle Drawing (Prizes!!!!!)
• Close out the event

If you are interested in presenting at or donating an item for the raffle, contact TBD Consulting at 602-263-1961.

Bookmark our newest Blog: Learning Innovation Campus to stay in the know: http://sllic.wordpress.com

Learning Innovation Campus - Grand Opening Nov. 2

Posted by: Mike Abrams (http://www.twitter.com/mikeabrams)

 

As part of the Learning Innovation Campus (LIC) Second Life® mission, we have made available a limited number of parcels (land) for private office or “create your own space” leasing.  These parcels are available for individual, non-profit or corporate use for groups that are focused on education, people development, coaching or exploration of learning effectiveness.

 

The mission of the campus is to foster and support the activities of like-minded individuals and companies who are interested in being part of a campus dedicated to people development and learning.  This is a great way for those new to Second Life® to take their first steps in establishing your virtual world footprint, or for those who want to belong to the LIC community.

 

The LIC offers three Virtual World Incubator packages sized and priced right for your in-world needs:

1. Medium Parcel - These are offering 549 prim. This space is great for groups needing more space and offering a variety of activities in their in-world offices.
2. Small Parcel - These are offering 150 prim. This space is great for groups with less variety in their offerings or who are piloting projects for launch into Second Life.
3. Storefront - These are offering 150 prim. These spaces are great for vendors who want to showcase their in-world or real-world activities, provide a means for people to purchase products, but not hold live training.

Included with the Medium and Small Parcel are the following:

• Choice of several office buildings
• Includes choice of office furniture (couches, desks, chairs, art work)
• Teaching tools (interactive whiteboard, slide viewer, process mapping tools, survey/polling tools, visitor tracking, and more)
• Voice privacy - Any voice conversations will not leave your office space
• Priority access to reserve conference center, expo center and breakout training rooms
• Use of public spaces

Feel free to Contact us to learn more or visit Learning Innovation Campus online now:

Second Life®: Milford Revnik
Real Life: Mike Abrams 602-263-1961

Live Second Life Simulcast @ ASTD Cascadia Regional Conference

Posted by Michael Abrams (http://www.twitter.com/mikeabrams)

I'm excited to share with you that I'll be speaking at the ASTD Cascadia chapter regional conference, being held September 23-24. The conference titled "The Evolution of Learning" features general session speakers and breakout sessions presenting ideas on the classroom of the future. The conference explores trends, technologies and application of innovative learning methods.

I'll be presenting during Wednesday’s general session as well as at an afternoon break-out session on the topic of learning in virtual worlds. The general session will focus on demonstrating what can be done and the breakout session will focus on the how to do it.

I am seeking a team of Second Lifers to join me at Learning Innovation island as part of a simulcast I'll be presenting live during the general session presentation. To participate in the simulcast via Second Life you must be voice enabled, have a headset and wear *ahem* appropriate clothing.  Just no naked avatars...cyborgs, furries, tinies, humans, nekos and whatever else you can think of are welcomed and encouraged to show diversity!  Contact Mike Abrams via twitter (http://www.twitter.com/mikeabrams  or email mike.abrams@tbdconsulting.com to signup for the live Second Life event. There is no fee for being involved in this.

So far the following people signed up:

• Milford Revnik
• Pathfinder Linden
• Pooky Amsterdam
• Paolo Rousselot
• Riven Homewood
• Kwame Oh
• Jonenal Revnik
• Joelle Yalin

To register for the full, in-person conference, visit http://www.astdcascadia.org/conference/2009/index.html for more information.

Learning Innovation Meetup - Aug 19, 2009 8:15am PT

Posted by: Mike Abrams (http://twitter.com/mikeabrams) 

Attention people managers, training, OD and human resource management...come join us in Second Life for a timely presentation, lively discussion and networking. 

MEETING DATE: Aug 19, 2009
MEETING TIME: 8:15 AM PST - 9:30 AM PST
LOCATION: Learning Innovation Island in Second Life.
REGISTER ONLINE: http://learninginnovationmeetup.eventbrite.com
COST: Free

TOPIC: Teambuilding Games in Second Life
PRESENTER: Mike Mulvihill, Possibiliteams

ABOUT OUR SESSION:

Come explore the potential of teambuilding with your staff in second life.  Second Life provides a great opportunity to supplement your existing programs without the travel expense or opportunity cost of lost time off work.  Once you teams have the navigation aspects of Second Life behind them they are freed up to walk, talk, chat and teambuild! We’ll be introducing you to new teambuilding games in virtual space that provide you with real world results. Come join us for this great virtual adventure. Come prepared to be active!

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER:

Mike Mulvihill is the founder and president of PossibiliTEAMS, LLC, a corporate team building and training company based in Phoenix, AZ.  Mike has over fifteen years experience creating, facilitating and managing team building events for large and small groups throughout the US, Europe and Latin America.  Mike has worked with teams ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses, nonprofit groups and government agencies.  He has facilitated team building programs for organizations from a wide variety of industries including law firms, pharmaceuticals / biotech, banking & finance, retail, consumer products, healthcare, technology, human services, media and entertainment.

Mike's expertise is developing teams through fun experiential learning workshops that focus on communicating and sharing information more effectively, sharpening creative problem solving skills, improving group decision-making skills, developing leadership skills and building a sense of trust and mutual interdependence among team members.

Prior to forming PossibiliTEAMS, Mike was Lead Program Manager with Venture Up Inc., a company specializing in team building and wilderness-based adventures.  Some of Mike's clients at Venture Up included Intel, American Express, M&M Mars, Paramount Pictures, Caterpillar, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company and GlaxoSmithKline.

Mike earned his degree in Organizational Communication from Arizona State University.

This is an interactive session in the virtual world of Second Life. Headphones, Second Life avatar and familiarity of attending virtual world meetings are required.

Please contact: Mike.Abrams@tbdconsulting.com for questions prior to the session. 

Reflecting back on 2000...Tweets that is.

Posted by Mike Abrams (http://www.twitter.com)

This is NOT a listing of the 5 top Twitter tools. This is NOT a review of the 10 top Twitter tips and tricks. This is NOT some scheme promising to show you how to use Twitter to become rich overnight if you would only click this link (...but if someone could forward that link to me, I'd appreciate it as I've lost mine.) Rather this is a brief look back at 2000 tweets and why there will be a 2001 tweet coming.

Coming up on one year ago, I setup my first Twitter account. I knew several people were using it and still just exploring the real function and purpose behind Twitter.  I was seeking web applications that would assist our clients in developing their people or communicating with clients. In hopes of finding a new means to communicate or train, I signed up.   

The first 4 months were spent twittering bits and pieces of things without much of a plan on what I was sharing and why.  This was mainly due to Twitter just not being very high on the priority list.  It wasn't until Christmas break 2008 when I really had time to dive into other people's streams and engage more with the ongoing stream of conversation.  The biggest change was finally finding the right tools to connect with people who shared my same interests and backgrounds but different enough that I could learn from or share with.

Since Jan 2009 through right at this moment, I have to report I've discovered the most amazing people who were all roaming the Twitterverse without my knowledge of their existence or vice-versa.  We could have had completely fulfilling careers never having made a connection.  But we did..and it has changed me for the better!

My application of Twitter stretches across marketing, sales, people development, product development, project management, networking, business strategic planning, learning reinforcement and general communications with others.  One of my favorite applications of Twitter has been connecting with people that I've had the pleasure of meeting up with afterward and sharing a drink, stories and friendship.  In the end, isn't that what web 2.0 is all about anyway..connecting.

I'm pleased to say it's been a great learning lesson that I've shared with many people, companies and associations. Sometimes I still get blank stares when asking "do you use twitter", but they are far fewer than in the past.

That's it...just a few thoughts...nothing to sell here and no tips. Just a simple reflection on 2000 tweets.

Tweet ya later.

Meeting Summary - Learning Innovation Meetup - Aug 5, 2009 8:15am PT

Posted by: Mike Abrams (http://twitter.com/mikeabrams) 

Thanks to all who came out to join us for our presentation this week on "Introduction to Process Mapping (Business Process Flowcharting)" at Learning Innovation Island in Second Life.  

(Click on the images below for a larger version)

 

We started class with some networking to see who was in the audience. USing the whiteboard we captured everyones real-life roles and companies. Great diversity of backgrounds from corporate trainers, non-profits, university instructors and independent consultants. 

Next we discussed what "best practice" means and the value of capturing best practices during process mapping.  Again using the whiteboard, we brainstormed the group's ideas of value.

 

We also used the Pollster 3D survey tool to capture the Second Life, training and facilitation experience of the attendees so we could assign facilitators for the small group activity later in class.

Then we moved on to teaching the steps of process mapping and giving keys to a successful map.  After the lesson, I demo'ed process mapping using the 3D Wiki Cube which works great for mapping.  This is where we broke into smaller groups and each group process mapped an area and completed their own 3D maps.  All participants received a copy of the notes as well as some free Second Life tools for the own use. Many thanks to my small group facilitators Anne McMinnar, Oronoque Westland, and gh Zhaoying for taking on this task. 

I've attached some additional photos below from the event. Enjoy!

Our next Learning Innovation Meetup will be Aug 19 8:15 AM PT and will focus on "Teambuilding Activities in Second Life." You may register online at http://learninginnovationmeetup.eventbrite.com .

Please contact: Mike.Abrams@tbdconsulting.com for questions. 

Learning Innovation Meetup - Aug 5, 2009 8:15am PT

Posted by: Mike Abrams (http://twitter.com/mikeabrams) 

Attention people managers, training, OD and human resource management...come join us in Second Life for a timely presentation, lively discussion and networking. 

MEETING DATE: Aug 5, 2009
MEETING TIME: 8:15 AM PST - 9:30 AM PST 

LOCATION: Learning Innovation Island in Second Life. 

REGISTER ONLINE: http://learninginnovationmeetup.eventbrite.com

COST: Free

TOPIC: Introduction to Process Mapping (Business Process Flowcharting)
PRESENTER: Mike Abrams, Learning Technologist

About Our Session:

Participants should bring an idea for something to be process mapped. We'll learn the key components to a process map, the shapes and how to build them. 

This is an interactive session in the virtual world of Second Life. Headphones, Second Life avatar and familiarity of attending virtual world meetings are required.

Please contact: Mike.Abrams@tbdconsulting.com for questions prior to the session. 

TBD Consulting Helps ASTD Chapter Win National Recognition for Second Life™ Simulcast

Posted by: Mike Abrams (http://twitter.com/mikeabrams)

The Mt. Diablo chapter of ASTD, through a partnership with TBD Consulting, were awarded ASTD National’s “Sharing Our Success”  (SOS) recognition for an innovative virtual learning experience.

A recent Second Life™ simulcast with the Mt. Diablo chapter of ASTD in Pleasanton, California doubled the regular attendance numbers for their monthly speaker programs. The presentation, entitled “Get Virtual – Designing Learning in Second Life”, provides an overview of Second Life™ and explores the design considerations necessary to bring value-added learning to corporate training participants. The simulcast presentation was attended by virtual participants in TBD Consulting’s training center in Second Life™ as well as live participants in the Mt. Diablo chapter meeting room.  

Chani Pangali, PhD and Co-VP Professional Development for the ASTD Mt Diablo chapter shared, “This was a remarkable evening for us, in terms of total turnout and the fact that guests and members with lapsed attendance records out-numbered regular attendees. There was all-around appreciation for the quality of the presentation and the special insights into what might be possible in training with Second Life capabilities.”

Anyone interested in learning more about Second Life™ as a highly interactive learning delivery method can join other participants online to experience the results first hand. TBD Consulting hosts a free bi-weekly, networking event in Second Life™ on Learning Innovation island. This free event features leaders from various industries presenting on people development, coaching, leadership, and organizational development challenges. Human Resource, Training and OD professionals as well as business people are invited to attend. You may register for an upcoming session online at http://learninginnovationmeetup.eventbrite.com . 

Joining Blueprint Education Advisory Board

Posted by: Mike Abrams (http://twitter.com/mikeabrams) 

I'm very excited and proud to report that I've been selected to become a member of Blueprint Education's Advisory Board. My role on the board will be to provide guidance on innovative ways to leverage social media and business strategy to assist in fulfilling the group's mission.

Since 1969, Blueprint Education, a non-profit organization, has been a leader in youth education with the goal of helping students succeed. Blueprint Education offers accredited curriculum to students throughout the world. 

Doug Covey, CEO of Blueprint Education, had some very nice words of welcome saying “the Advisory Board provides ongoing guidance, feedback and support to the Board of Directors, CEO and staff.  Mike’s innovative experience at TBD Consulting in social media marketing, learning, and business strategy will be a great addition to our team of advisors.”

I invite you to read my guest blog reflection on a recent student recognition event I attended for Kids at Hope Academies on the Blueprint Education website. The blog is entitled "Celebrating Quiet Heroes."