Customer Reviews

The Learning Layer: Building the Next Level of Intellect in Your Organization

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Adaptive systems innovator Steven D. Flinn focuses on the way "system thinking applications" can improve organizational learning and knowledge management. He explains how companies can create a "learning layer" within their information technology systems to educate employees and boost productivity and performance. getAbstract recommends Flinn's book - despite its occasional opacity and some heavy-going circumlocutions - to business leaders who want to make the most forward-looking use of adaptable corporate learning. He offers a solid take on the learning layer as a way to foster organizational education, manage knowledge and make the most of information technology. The book also will intrigue futurists who focus on technology and business. Flinn makes it clear that the learning layer's infinite capacity exactly fits Sir Arthur Clark's contention, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

This book is a must read for every business executive. The author Steve Flinn presents complex ideas in really simple terms that a layman can understand. Several new ideas such as "Flipping the Funnel" and the concept of DNA and the "Real Me" to explain customer behaviours are presented here.

An extract from the book sums up the vision of the author and the journey he takes the reader on that allows them to explore the possibilities.

"Things like recommendations adapting to your specific location as you travel through a city.
Things like media, such as videos and games, automatically adapting.
Things like distributed learning layers syndicating and adaptively combining.
And things like the explanation engine exhibiting a personality, and a personality that actually adapts over time.
Perchance even to dream."

Fantastic review of the factors driving corporate learning & development in the post-modern organization, leading to a model where "learning" occurs as a function of the usual operating behaviors of the participants - truly merging knowledge management with learning, measured by business outcomes. A "must read."

A very interesting and stimulating read. The first half of the book concentrates on the technology and learning. The author shows how we have entered the era of adaptation in computing by building on the benefits of previous tech cycles of speed and connectivity. He provides a lot of detail on how learning happens in people and how that can be embodied in software and the integration of social and content networks. The chapter on `processes that learn' is particularly interesting. The second part of the book transitions into how to create a truly adaptive enterprise, examining the fabric of your business from first principles and then into portfolio strategy & learning value. An extensive process for systematic innovation is laid out, with details on how the learning layer gives a platform for creativity while providing structure to create options in your business. Overall highly recommended.