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Technology offers platforms for collaboration. Michalski
points to the wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org/) as an example.
It is an interactive encyclopedia project in which anyone
can add entries. Online interactions through multipart y
weblogs are another source of learning. "My community of
friends online is my most important source of new ideas,"
Michalski said. "If you haven't found a multiparty weblog
in your area of interest, you should build one. Weblogs are
some of the best sources of random interesting things, like
the stories you see in the newspaper that are next to the story
you are interested in."
Among his semi-formal learning activities is "Jerry's
Retreat," an annual invitation-only, agenda-free event that
he has held since 1996. He invites about 400 people to the
gathering based on two criteria: that he experienced some
kind of "aha" moment with them and that they have "good
intent." One of the standing features of the activity is for
participants to bring a book to share that has changed their
thinking. The event grew out of a realization that a lot of
learning goes on in the white spaces of formal conferences.
"We'd spend a year producing a conference and realized
afterward that the coffee breaks were the best part,"
Michalski said. "So we designed a conference that would be
like the coffee breaks."
What has Michalski learned since graduation? If you are
really interested in the answer to the question, you can look
inside his "brain" yourself. He has organized his knowledge
of the past five years through a visual software program
called "The Brain," which he published online for all to see
(follow the links at www.sociate.com).
He notes that this visual format is not for everyone, but having some way
to gather knowledge, forge connections among different
ideas, and access it quickly is important to continuing the
learning experience.
Learning About
Learning
The options for lifelong learning continue to expand as
Wharton itself keeps learning about learning. Wharton's
undergraduate and MBA degrees have been shaped and
reshaped, and new opportunities for post-degree learning
continue to be developed. "There is no single solution
to lifelong education," said Wind. "Wharton has engaged
in developing a portfolio of options, and we continue
to develop new options. We are creating a decision support
system that will help participants to address issues 'just
in time' instead of 'just in case.' As Benjamin Franklin says,
we combine the theoretical with the practical. We are
also looking at more ways of linking these different
programs together to meet the needs of managers throughout
their careers."
How do you keep up with new knowledge?
Knowledge Through Networking
"I think you gain knowledge
through networking. I learn from a couple of professional organizations, including a
treasurers club and an private equity CFO organization. The CFO organization has its own
website so if someone has a question, they can send it out to members. After a couple
weeks, it comes back with all the responses. When I was at Wharton 25 years ago,
people didn't have PCs. I was one of the lucky ones to have a financial calculator.
In these times, learning is more important than ever."
Robert M. Hannon, WG'78
Vice President, Finance and Administration, Ticonderoga Capital
Wellesley, MA
Keeping Ahead
"From '83 when I graduated until '95 or '96, there were no
major changes in the way business was taught. After the Internet and the bubble, the
world changed, so I decided to join the first Wharton Fellows class because I realized I
had to understand what was going on and keep ahead. In 1994, I also was invited to
join the Wharton Latin American Board, which has kept me involved with what is happening at Wharton and the University.
Nowadays, the biggest challenge is time to digest
all the information available and use it in one's favor. You need to plan ahead and beat
competition. When I add it all up in my mind, I need a piece of paper to remember and
act fast. I even keep a pen and paper beside my bed."
Claudio Engel, WG'83, Fellows '00
Managing Director, F.H. Engel, SA
Santiago, Chile
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