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Friday Finds — Marketing Tactics That Work, Magic 8 Ball AI, Importance of Doing Nothing

🗣️Marketing Tactics for L&D | 🎱Magic 8-ball AI | 🪑Value of Doing Nothing

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"Education is the foundation of opportunity."

— Oprah Winfrey

My son is officially a college kid! He’s got sweet digs, a gorgeous campus, and a big ol' grin. Now, let's just hope that smile is still there at the end of the school year too.

Speaking of big decisions, it's election season again! Not only are we picking a president here in the US, but everyone should be voting on the best learning tools of the year (thanks, Jane Hart!). My presidential vote is a no-brainer, but I've gotta do some serious thinking on those learning tools. My personal tech stack has been changing this year.

Thanks for reading!

🎶 What I’m Listening To

In case my son reads this, here are some Lo-Fi Beats to Study By. (They’re also great to work along with.)

📰 News & Notes

What L&D gets wrong about marketing tactics and how to do the things that work

The idea that "L&D needs to think like marketing" has been thrown around a lot, but without clear direction, it’s just hot air. Instead of vague advice, this guide dives into practical marketing tactics L&D pros can actually use—like content marketing to keep your resources evergreen, building campaigns to boost engagement, A/B testing to refine your approach, and leveraging SEO to make your content shine in a crowded digital space. By adopting these strategies, you can elevate your L&D efforts from bland to brilliant.

🎯 Take away: Don’t just think like a marketer—steal their best tricks to make your L&D content truly impactful.

When Should We Trust AI? Magic-8-Ball Thinking

Generative AI is a fantastic tool for speeding up tasks, but it often "hallucinates," producing inaccurate or misleading information. This tendency can lead to "Magic-8-Ball Thinking," where users trust AI outputs without verifying them—sometimes with disastrous consequences. To avoid this, always check AI-generated content, especially in critical areas, and use AI as an assistant, not an oracle.

🎯 Take away: Trust AI, but always verify—don’t let Magic-8-Ball Thinking guide your decisions.

Doing Nothing Has Never Been More Important

The conventional view casts idleness as a negative counterpart to work—synonymous with laziness and stagnation—while work is often exalted as the path to virtue and meaning. However, thinkers like Mark Slouka argue that idleness is not only essential for personal reflection and growth but also for nurturing a healthy democracy, offering space for independent thought and resistance to authority. Embracing idleness can be seen as a radical, even anarchic, act of self-determination, crucial for meaningful civic participation and societal progress.

🎯 Take away: Idleness is not just a lack of work but a vital space for personal and democratic growth, challenging the status quo and fostering self-determination.

Discover 3 reasons why learning analytics is crucial

Only 40% of companies believe their learning strategy aligns with their needs. Measuring your training can help provide insights into how your training is trending.

🧰 Tech Tools & Tips

If tools are your jam, check out my new Work Smarter newsletter.

Did you know that learning, at its core, is brain modification? It’s more than just the content we create—it’s about reshaping the brain itself. To truly help your learners learn, we need to deepen our understanding of how the brain works. That's exactly what aNewSpring will explore on September 5th, from 9:00–10:00am (EST). Come explore this fascinating process firsthand during a blended learning experience led by Roy de Vries and Lauren Waldman.

🎧 Podcast

This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.

Elevate Your eLearning Game with the Right Authoring Tool

Are you looking for the ideal course authoring software to bring your eLearning projects to new heights? If so, download this comprehensive guide, "How to Choose the Right eLearning Authoring Tool." This valuable resource is designed to help you navigate the myriad options and select the perfect tool for your specific needs.

In this free guide, you'll gain insights on evaluating key features, comparing different solutions, and making an informed decision that aligns with your goals. Whether you are new to eLearning or want to enhance your current tools, it will provide you with valuable knowledge to make the best choice.

🧳 Where’s Mike?

If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical, we should talk.

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