KM Professionals, Community and Interested Parties join us for the inaugural event of the KMA -Knowledge Management Association in person, on the phone or on Twitter.
Event Details:
Date: Monday, 28th of November
Time: 4:30pm Pacific | 6:30pm Central | 7:30pm Eastern
Location: 2116 Arlington Downs Road, Arlington, TX 76011
Main Access Number: Dial: 1-866-214-2635 then *5726217*
Break-out Café Discussion Numbers:
For the KM Tools discussion dial: 1-866-496-0015, Meeting number: *4576190*
For the Education discussion number: 1-866-214-2635, Meeting number: *5726217*
For the Sales Trends discussion dial: 1-866-496-0015, Meeting number: *8178103860*
Agenda: (Central Time)
- 6:30 to 6:45pm – Introductions – Neil Cobb (AT&T)
- 6:45 to 7:45pm – Knowledge Café Discussions
- 7:45 to 8:30pm – Networking and collaboration
Knowledge Café Facilitators and Topics:
Topic 1 – KM Tools
Facilitators: (Diane Culwell, and Don Ledbetter)
KM Tools Abstract: KM is about methods, theory, practice, and tools. In this knowledge café discussion Don and Diane will explore and discuss the tools they are familiar with in the KM practices they work in. They will open the dialogue up for us to learn about other areas as well.
Expected Outcomes: In this session Diane and Don will explore some of the tools we commonly use in KM including Communities of Practice in Share Point and other tool sets. Diane will share what she is working on in regard to Share Point and Newsgator. Please bring your own ideas and experience to this forum.
We welcome those interested in the KM tools topic to join us in this informative discussion surrounding how current tool sets are used to enable KM project progress.
Facilitator: Diane Culwell, MS-Education
Diane Culwell is the knowledge management and communication specialist for the Engineering Department at Bell Helicopter. She is responsible for 2100 engineering employees who participate in 55 Communities of Practice. She oversees a group of 45 knowledge stewards who use SharePoint to manage communities of practice for their disciplinary areas…rotors, V-22 program, propulsion, experimental design, etc.
Diane also manages best practices and lessons learned for Engineering. Additionally, Diane is responsible for the new social media tool recently purchased by Bell…Newsgator. She will be implementing a plan for collaboration across all Textron (parent company) business units. The goal of increased collaboration is to fuel innovation for Textron. Diane has been with Bell Helicopter since 2005.
Prior to Bell, Diane was the Manager of OD and Training for Northrop Grumman in Grand Prairie, Texas. The majority of Diane’s career has been in the aerospace and telecommunications industries. Diane has a master’s in education from Oklahoma State University. She is a certified green belt in Design for Six Sigma. Diane has been involved with KM for the last 6 years.
Diane enjoys travel and is planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand in January for a two week vacation. She belongs to the Partner’s Program at Town North YMCA, Dallas, and contributes as a partner financially to help underprivileged children participate in health/wellness programs and summer camps. She plays the piano…mainly classical music and is an usher at Northaven United Methodist Church, Dallas. Diane is now participating in golf again after having stopped playing for 10 years. She has just joined the Dallas Golf Association to improve her skills and participate in beginner’s tournaments.
Facilitator: Don Ledbetter
Don Ledbetter is the Corporate Director of Management and Organizational Effectiveness with L-3 Communications a leading provider in high technology products for the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, selected U.S. government intelligence agencies and aerospace prime contractors, headquartered in New York. Don is also an adjunct online business professor with the University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas. He is certified by the Society for Human Resources Management as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
Don grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and attained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Psychology and Business from St. Louis University in 1971. In 1977, he continued his graduate studies at Central Missouri State, where he completed his Master’s in Business Administration degree in Personnel and Labor Relations. Don’s educational focus and interests are deeply rooted in the study of human behavior, organizational psychology, and human resource management. Don completed his doctoral course work in Management and Organizational Leadership with the University of Phoenix – Online Campus, School of Advanced Studies in 2003.
Don has an extensive background in human resources and business management. He has worked as the Director of Human Resources for organizations such as CONALCO, a steel manufacturer; Nordson Corporation, a global manufacturer of robots; United Telecom, a high technology computer hardware and software manufacturer; Oak Industries, a cable television decoder manufacturer; Syntro, a biotech research and development firm, Starnet Corporation, a subsidiary of Ford Aerospace; and Lockheed Martin Corporation, a manufacturer of aeronautics and space systems.
In 2001, Don was promoted to Group Vice President of Human Resources for the L-3 Communications, San Diego division and Telemetry Products. Don’s career continued to expand as he developed and implemented leadership practices, mentored and problem-solved with L-3 group and division presidents, directors, and heads of human resource. Don’s ability to take leading-edge leadership, human behavior, and change theories, and apply them to create Tools, Techniques and Technology (T3) for L-3, has moved him into the spotlight as the Corporate Director of Management and Organizational Effectiveness. In this newest role, Don coaches, mentors, and supports group and division presidents, directors, in a wide capacity, from assisting in their short and long-term strategic decision making and planning, to creating innovative solutions that incorporate metrics, to problem solving legal and ethical issues. He is a hands-on strategic business partner with the L-3 divisions and oversees organizational development, performance management, talent management and e-learning initiatives.
In addition to his professional business career, Don has functioned as an adjunct professor for San Diego State University, Chapman University, and the University of the Incarnate Word. With his wife, Dr. Tammy Webb Ledbetter, Don has co-created many of the online course modules for the University of the Incarnate Word Universe Online program, in the areas of leadership, management, human resources, organizational psychology, staffing, team building, organizational development and mass communications. He has the unique ability to take concepts and theory from leading business authors and create practical applications that improve top line business growth and bottom line profit performance. In the online classroom, he receives upbeat feedback from his online students, as they attain practical and meaningful knowledge, which is utilized immediately to improve their workplace. His doctoral experience as an online learner has given him the understanding how to practice leadership in the online classroom by building rapport through in-depth dialogue, developing relationships with students as their guide, mentor and coach, and incorporating real-life experiences into meaningful applications.
Don is recognized as a subject matter expert in human resources and organizational leadership by SHRM and Linkage, Inc. He has attended workshops and developed peer relationships with well-known leadership authors and thought leaders: Peter Drucker, Warren Bennis, Marshall Goldsmith, Marcus Buckingham, Jim Kouzes, Peter Senge, Jim Collins, Beverly Kaye, Marc Rosenberg, and Phil Harkins, President and CEO of Linkage, Inc. Don has been cited in Business Week and the San Diego Business Journal and served on many panel discussion boards. He is listed in the Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders in America, 1st Edition, and Who’s Who in California. Don is also a member of Mensa Limited.
Topic 2 – Education Discussion
Facilitators: (Bill Linn and Dave Thompson)
Educational Topic Abstract:
According the OECD 2010 Programme report, the United States ranked 14th in reading, 17th in science, and 25th in mathematics, this below-average. (source: huffingtonpost.com) Employers today say that at times a level of remediation needs to occur as a new hire is added to the workforce. Today’s economic realities present challenges for new college graduates, and our competitive advantage is at risk. The issues surrounding work today give us pause as we grapple with the dynamics of our social world and the pressures of a competitive world markets.
We feel that the promise of KM can help, but challenges still remain. How do we navigate the future of education together? Can KM methods and lessons learned be a part of the solution set? How can we as KM practitioners give back to this community and assist our educational institutions and partners?
Expected Outcomes:
In this session we expect to open the dialogue about education in the United States from a KM practitioner perspective. Please be prepared to bring your ideas on how we might improve and assist our current and future generations in creating value for an improvement and innovation.
Facilitator: Bill Linn, MAS-KM, BS-Engineering
William G. Linn, (Bill) is currently Manager of Process Engineering at L-3 Communications / Mission Integration Division, in Greenville, Texas. Bill has over 20 years of Aerospace experience in the fields of engineering, software development, and process engineering. Bill has also worked for such companies as Boeing, Raytheon, and General Dynamics in a variety of support roles relating to web technologies and process improvement initiatives.
In 2001 Bill became interested in the field of Knowledge Management and took this interest forward to by obtaining a Master of Applied Science degree in KM from the University of Denver in the fall of 2008. In his thesis work Bill worked closely with Dave Thompson of DU who is a co-facilitator in this inaugural event for KMA. Bill has deployed the Air Force’s DCGS knowledge portal in 2003 and 2004 in support of Air Force program initiatives while at Hanscom AFB, Hanscom, MA.
Bill was raised in southern Michigan and currently lives in Heath, Texas with his wife Darla and their two sons. Bill and is an avid swimmer and enjoys building his skill in his swimming technique. He also follows major league baseball and is a fan of the Boston Red Sox.
Facilitator: David Thompson, MBA, PMP, BSME
Dave has over 20 years of progressive experience defining and managing complex strategic, business system implementations, large and small. Dave has also served on the adjunct faculty of the University of Denver, providing thought-leadership in building and delivering next stage integrated business/ technology curriculums for progressive topics in, Enterprise Management: Lean Six Sigma for Service, Knowledge Management and other leading edge Master’s thesis topics.
Currently Dave serves as the Director of Project and New Product Development at AlloSource, a non-profit tissue bank, having lead the development and launch of over a dozen new tissue products in the past three years, including the company’s award winning AlloStem – stem cell based spine care product technology.
Previously, Dave has served in several Senior Management roles for business structures ranging from start-up and turn-around ventures to Fortune 500 companies, spanning the Telecommunications, Professional/Retail Services, IT, Telecom, Healthcare, and High-Tec Manufacturing industries.
Topic 3 – Sales Trends & KM
Facilitators: (J.R. Atkins)
Sales Trends Abstract:
The dynamics of the social media world have had a dramatic impact on sales trends in the last couple of years. In this café discussion we will explore the current trends, and how they might affect your marketing and knowledge management strategies going forward.
Expected Outcomes:
In this session we expect to explore more about the current sales trends that exist in improving the bottom line. We welcome those interested in the sales trends and KM topic to join us in this discussion and bring their own expertise to the discussion.
Facilitator: J.R. Atkins – MBA, BBA
J.R. Atkins is an author, speaker and consultant on social media and mobile apps. As a speaker, J.R. is noted for “taking the mystery out of Social Media” and speaking in terms that “even a CEO can understand.” He is best known for working with Company Leaders, Sales Professionals and Marketing Managers on how Social Media Networks can make a positive impact on their organization. J.R. began his research into Mobile Apps in January of 2010 and has uncovered several trends that are affecting business today such as “Every organization will have a mobile app or they will be out of business.”
As a consultant, J.R. works with business leaders to understand the shift in selling that is occurring as more consumers and business turn to the internet for information before engaging in the sales process. How has selling changed? How do the metrics for sales need to change? Using inbound and outbound marketing, J.R. can help you implement plans to increase sales results in this new sales environment.
Coming out this summer, the book Success Simplified with Stephen covey, J.R. Atkins, Dr Tony Alessandra and Patricia Fripp will share “Simple Solutions that generate measurable results.” J.R.’s section will cover “The Big 5 of Social Media”, how business can use Social Media to communicate with perspective customers, current clients and employees.
J.R.’s connection to KM has occurred in the last 24 months in his consulting business surrounding issues of knowledge distribution in organizations. He has noticed the challenges that come with working through the procedural and cultural issues that surround the knowledge distribution challenge.
J.R. began speaking publicly in 1994, on social media in March of 2009 and on Mobile Apps in May of 2011. He holds an MBA from The University of Phoenix, Dallas Campus and a BBA from Texas A&M University. J.R. is an ASA certified sailing instructor an avid reader and musician.
Married to Stacey Groom Atkins, J.R. has a son, Coleman, who is a senior at Centennial High School in Frisco, TX.
Invitation:
Please join us as we kick-off our inaugural KM event. If you have an interest in KM or would like to learn more about how knowledge management can make a difference in your organization we would like to invite you to be a part of this exciting event the evening of November 28th.