ETEC 522 – Sept. 2011

Welcome to W3: Analyst’s Bootcamp

A couple of comments before we leap forward.

Last Week:  First, I enjoyed everyone’s comments and discussion last week on the various future-surveying reports and sources that are available.  I hope it demonstrated both the value and limitations of these materials.

Week Change-Overs:  As eager as we all are to move forward, please don’t post anything related to the next week until the current week is done, with the change-over nominally at Sunday midnight (Pacific Time).  Even better, wait until the new week is introduced by whomever is hosting it.  Two courtesy-based reasons for this. First, when the Emerging Market Teams are hosting their weeks (which begin first-thing Monday mornings and end Sunday midnight) they may have summary comments they’d like to post Sunday evening, and early posts on the next week would diminish that ability to conclude, and derail the train of conversation.  Second, there may be some special instructions for the new week that need to be considered before you post.  Please also honour the train of conversation by not posting about one week after that week has concluded.

This Week:  The primary purpose of the Analyst’s Bootcamp is to sharpen your critical analysis skills with respect to ventures in learning technologies, especially those pertaining to emerging markets.   As you know, it’s relatively easy for almost all of us to be “critical” (as in, “this person/idea is crazy”), but truly great analysts are focused on opportunity rather than fault.   It’s similar to being a great teacher: what is the germ of brilliance that nobody else might be able to see in this student submission, and how might I help it realize their potential?   An analyst’s reputation is based on frank appraisal (if the venture is nonviable, don’t sugar coat it), but what they fear most is having trashed a venture that eventually scores big (people look to analysts to help them discover diamonds in the rough).

Good luck!

David