DM: DM & FF Course Announcements

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The Gordian Institute will debut two new courses designed to 
introduce 
corporate decision makers to data mining, and market timers to 
advanced 
predictive technologies.  The new seminars are designed to offer 
intensive reviews of terminology, as well as benefits and pitfalls of 
the technology while minimizing time away from the office.  The data 
mining course provides an optional third day hands-on workshop.  
Details for both courses, to include specific dates, training sites 
and 
detailed course outlines may be obtained through the contact 
information provided at the end of this announcement.

"Data Mining: Principles and Practice" will host its initial 
offerings 
in Santa Clara, CA in January, and Orlando, FL in February.   At 
$995, 
the two day data mining seminar covers the subject of data mining 
from 
the ground up.  Those in attendance will learn about different 
methods 
of modeling and how those models apply to real business problems.  
Those who desire to make data mining an integral part of their 
business 
process are target candidates for Gordian's new offering.  Attendees 
will learn to:

     - Uncover valuable information buried in data.
     - Learn what data has real meaning and what data simply 
       takes up space (also known as "data prospecting")
     - Examine which data mining methods and tools are most effective
     - Avoid pitfalls in the analysis of results

The rapid emergence of electronic data processing and collection 
methods has lead some to call recent times as the "Information Age."  
However, it may be more accurately termed as "The Age of the Data 
Glut."  Most businesses either posses a large database or have access 
to one.  These databases contain so much data that it becomes very 
difficult to understand what that data is telling us.  There is 
hardly 
a transaction that does not generate a computer record somewhere.  

All this data has meaning with respect to better understanding 
customer 
needs and preferences.  But how do you discover those needs and 
preferences in a database that contains gigabits of seemingly 
incomprehensible numbers and facts.  Data mining does just that.  
However, used blindly, incorporation of data mining techniques can 
result in large expenditures of money and time to no avail.  The key 
issue explored in this seminar is how to avoid frustrating and costly 
mistakes and improve your business process by correct use of these 
powerful methods.  Attendees will learn:

     - The basic principles of data mining
     - The different methods of data mining and how they compare
     - How to prepare raw data for data mining
     - How to analyze and validate the results 
     - What questions data mining can answer
     - What are the pitfalls and how to avoid them
     - What commercial products are available and how to evaluate them

Gordian's "Data Mining: Principles and Practice" seminar focuses on 
actual use and implementation of data mining techniques in the real 
world.  The instructor has been deeply involved with the development 
of 
data mining methods and the means of their use.  Actual products will 
be reviewed, as will results drawn from real data mining applications.

Those who would like a hands-on perspective to the instructional 
sessions may attend an optional third day application workshop for an 
additional $495.  The workshops will highlight superior performance 
as 
well as pitfalls resulting from various tools and techniques when 
applied to different types of data intensive problems.  Exercises 
will 
reveal impressive results from the same technique that may have 
failed 
in another category.

In addition, objective evaluations of popular data mining products 
can 
save immeasurable time and effort in assessing and selecting which 
suite of tools will perform best for your application.  The 
instructor 
will show how to evaluate various packages based on strengths, 
limitations, value and general performance.  Products will be 
separated 
into four categories:

     - Statistical
     - Decision Tree
     - Neural Net
     - Clustering Technologies

The presenter, Ben A. Hitt, Ph.D. has many years of experience using 
pattern recognition technologies and intelligent software tools to 
solve business problems.  He has taught thousands of students in the 
use and principles of advanced software and machine learning 
technologies.  He was Director of Training for NeuralWare, Inc. in 
Pittsburgh, PA, and in that role instructed the use of neural 
networks 
for Financial Forecasting, Fraud Detection, Process Control and 
Direct 
Marketing.  He was instrumental in the design and development of 
ModelMAX, a complete neural network application for the direct 
marketing industry.  Dr. Hitt also designed and implemented a 
nationally recognized detection system for rapid tax refund 
application 
fraud.  He has recently conducted a detailed and exhaustive survey of 
commercial data mining products for a major US bank.

The one-day seminar "Advanced Techniques for the Analysis of 
Financial 
Markets" provides attendees with a methodology for developing a 
trading 
strategy for financial instruments.  The course addresses the 
selection 
of financial instruments to monitor, establishing performance 
objectives, and techniques for the development of a "library" of 
trading scenarios.  This course will debut at $995 in Washington, DC 
in 
January.

"Advanced Techniques for the Analysis of Financial Markets" is 
intended 
for those who seek better than average performance from their 
investment decision making.  It is designed for the individual ready 
and willing to explore approaches that have the potential to 
dramatically out perform the market averages.

Recent research has proven that the financial markets are driven as 
much by buyer behavior as by pure economics.  This course abandons 
the 
ideas behind capital market theory, portfolio theory and random walk. 
 
In their place, we develop methods of identifying cases where 
significant profit potential exists while screening out mediocre 
performance.

The methods employed are geared toward individuals who trade 
financial 
instruments for profit, not to "own a good company."  The techniques 
are most applicable to short-term and intermediate-term trading.

"Advanced Techniques for the Analysis of Financial Markets" focuses 
on 
the development and implementation of techniques that can be directly 
applied to trading financial instruments in a manner consistent with 
the attendees goals and objectives.  The instructor presents a 
development methodology that allows attendees to identify trading 
opportunities with a high probability of success.

The presenter, Thomas A. "Tony" Rathburn left his teaching and 
research 
position at Kent State University in 1992 to co-develop the course 
Applying Neural Computing to Market Timing for NeuralWare, Inc.  He 
is 
the author of numerous publications and has extensive consulting 
experience in the application of advanced analysis technologies to 
the 
financial sector.  Mr. Rathburn currently provides consulting 
services 
to a variety of organizations on the application of advanced 
technologies.

Reserve your seat early, as course sizes are limited to allow for a 
high
level of interaction with the instructors.  Additional details for
Gordian's Data Mining or Financial Markets courses, to include course
outlines, specific dates, training sites and registration information 
may
be obtained through any of the following:

    - Email:      agent@gordianknot.com
      (Send a message with any of the following as the SUBJECT)
                  - Data Mining Details
                  - Financial Markets Details
                  - Quarterly Newsletter
    - Web:        http://www.gordianknot.com
    - Toll Free:  800-405-2114
    - Direct:     281-364-9882