|
"There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about." – Margaret Wheatley
In a little over six weeks, our book will be launched out into the world (I still can't believe it is real). If you're curious about what Bianca and I have been cooking up, we now have a free chapter that gives you a proper taste of our marketing meets L&D mashup. Consider this your VIP invitation to be among the first to peek behind the curtain.
I'm practically hovering over my inbox, waiting for your thoughts. Whether you find yourself enthusiastically nodding along, scratching your head with a "wait, what?!" moment, or anything in between—please send your reactions my way at mike@mike-taylor.org (or just hit reply to this email.)
Thanks for reading!
✨ Share YOUR Best Finds
Find something share-worthy. Drop it here 👇
|
|
|
👆 Last Week’s Most Clicked
freedesignstuff.com - a collection of free design resources
🎶 What I’m Listening To
It has been so cold and dreary around here lately, I need something light and happy like Dayglow today.
|
|
|
sponsored
Master Every Stage of Employee Onboarding with iSpring's Easy-to-Follow Checklist
Effective onboarding helps new hires feel at home in your team and get productive in their role from day one. If you’re not sure how to build a solid onboarding training program that delivers these results, use iSpring’s short, actionable checklist to guide you through the entire process.
The checklist covers every step of each stage of the onboarding process and recommends the best online tools for effective onboarding.
|
|
|
📰 News & Notes
 Thinking Fast & Slow
The Rundown: Despite being paid to “think,” most knowledge workers are stuck in the slow lane of cognition — working long hours staring at screens, relying too heavily on their conscious minds (system 2) while ignoring the more powerful unconscious (system 1).
The Context:
- Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow outlines two systems of thought: system 1 (fast, intuitive, always on) and system 2 (slow, deliberate, limited).
- Most people romanticize system 2, assuming focused attention = productivity. But the brain’s real power lies in system 1 — which remembers everything, never sleeps, and solves problems in the background.
- You can’t truly multitask with system 2. Focus depletes energy quickly (max 50 minutes), while system 1 operates effortlessly and creatively — especially when you’re doing “nothing.”
Why it Matters: If you're grinding for hours, you're doing it wrong. The key to better thinking? Work in short bursts, hand off tough problems to your unconscious and take breaks. It's not lazy — it's how your brain is wired. Stop worshiping hustle; start respecting your mental architecture,
|
|
|
Designing Text-Based Information: Six Principles of Typography for eLearning
The Rundown: Connie Malamed's latest shows how text-heavy visuals in eLearning design can tank learner engagement — but smart formatting and layout choices can fix that fast.
The Context:
- Studies show people scan, not read — especially online.
- The goal: Make info "glanceable." That means using headers, bullet points, whitespace, and visual cues to guide the eye.
- Avoid visual clutter, overused stock photos, and unbroken blocks of text.
- Good design isn’t about decoration — it’s about enhancing clarity and comprehension.
Why it Matters: Most learners won’t wade through dense slides or pages. If your content looks hard to digest, it won’t get digested. Streamlining your visuals to match how people actually consume info is a fast win for better learning outcomes.
|
|
|
EdTech's Missed Promise
The Rundown: A new essay by Jonathan Haidt dissects the rise—and fall—of educational technology’s utopian vision, arguing that instead of boosting learning, today’s edtech ecosystem has undermined it, especially among younger generations.
The Context:
- Edtech once promised customized learning and expanded access. But with the explosion of smartphones, social media, and low-quality apps, screen time now often means distraction, not education.
- Platforms like Khan Academy originally hailed as revolutionary, are now lost in a sea of entertainment-centric tools.
- Haidt points to a “reverse Roaring Twenties” in youth development—lower achievement, social decline, and rising mental health crises—coinciding with a dramatic increase in digital exposure.
- Instead of enhancing education, much of edtech has contributed to “anti-educational” outcomes, especially for K–12 students.
Why it Matters: The digital revolution in schools hasn't just failed to deliver—it’s potentially harmed a generation. As tech continues to reshape childhood and adolescence, Haidt’s piece serves as a stark warning: not all innovation equals progress. The next wave of edtech must reckon with its past mistakes or risk doing more damage than good.
|
|
|
sponsored
Learn marketing-inspired strategies you can apply to your L&D initiatives – now!
Designed for L&D professionals and training leaders, this webinar will equip you to create engaging, impactful, and results-driven learning experiences.
Join us Wednesday, April 23 @ 12 Noon CT
|
|
|
🧰 Tech Tools & Tips
If tools are your jam, check out my Work Smarter newsletter.
Diagrammer
4,000+ free customizable, professionally designed PowerPoint-ready diagrams
|
|
Amazon Nova
A new GenAI tool to generate text, code, images & more with natural language prompts.
|
|
|
|
free chapter
SNEAK PEEK: "Think Like a Marketer, Train Like an L&D Pro"
Curious why marketing campaigns captivate while training programs get ignored? The secret is yours for the taking!
Grab a FREE CHAPTER of our upcoming book that transforms ordinary training into memorable learning experiences that actually stick.
Discover how marketing and L&D share the same goal: influencing behavior in powerful ways!
|
|
|
🎧 Podcast of the Week
This is the conversation that caught my ear this week. Check out previous episodes in the Friday Finds podcast playlist.
How Thinking Like a Marketer Can Transform Learning
Designing learning like a marketer involves deeply understanding learners to create engaging and impactful experiences through targeted messaging and content strategies. This learner-centric approach fosters better connection, knowledge application, and a sense of purpose.
|
|
|
|
|
|
🧳 Where’s Mike?
If you or your event needs a speaker or workshop that is highly interactive and super practical, we should talk.
|
|
|
Like this newsletter? Share it with someone you love. Don’t like it? Share it with someone you don’t!
Friday Finds is an independent publication that I produce in my free time. You can support my work by sharing it with the world, booking an advertising spot, or buying me a coffee.
|
|
|
