Backward glances

Every look back is a glimpse into your future, and a quick look back by T+D 's books editor Hicks spots a developing trend away from recent dot.com bus iness practices back (or is it forward?) to the business fundamentals pione ered by the likes of GE's Jack Welch. Hicks cites a growing economic uncert ainty and the Internet's failure to deliver big as two causes for such retr o musings. And it's not just the business models of the Internet we're reth inking. Despite an increased comfort level with technology and increased access to the Internet, online content providers, specifically online magazines, stru ggle while their traditional counterparts forge on. Magazine Publishers of America reports 59 new magazine titles on the newsstand in the first three months of 2001. And the ebook rocket has yet to ignite. In terms of training, e-learning zealotry has given way to level- headednes s. The high cost of, implementation and resistance from training traditiona lists have hindered e-learning adoption despite all of the hype and potenti al benefits. However, many companies are finding common ground in a blended approach. The overall benefits of training amidst a struggling U.S. economy can't be denied.