Knowledge Management made Simple

Written by David Brewster


'Knowledge Management' is Big and Now. The wide coverage of 'KM' inrepparttar management literature could easily give yourepparttar 106401 impression that it is a 'big business' issue requiring expensive, technology-based solutions. In truth, knowledge management is a new name for an old challenge facing businesses large and small.

So what is 'Knowledge Management' and what are its implications for people in smaller businesses?

--------------

To understand 'knowledge', we need first to define its off-sider, 'information'. Information, simply put, is anything that has been documented. Books, manuals,repparttar 106402 world wide web, databases, software help files - all these contain information. Information is tangible, but it requires conscious effort to access it.

Knowledge, by contrast, is information that has been embedded in our minds and which can be drawn on virtually instantly. Knowledge gives usrepparttar 106403 capacity to act - without reference to external information.

Lets look at gardening as an example.

There is limitless information out there designed to make green-thumbs of us. But 'knowing' how to be a good gardener cannot come from a book. It comes from a combination of hands-on experience, information and drawing onrepparttar 106404 knowledge of others.

Diagnosingrepparttar 106405 problem withrepparttar 106406 sick plant inrepparttar 106407 back corner can be a bit like negotiating a maze. Information gives us lots of potential paths to follow, and may get us there inrepparttar 106408 end, but we will encounter a number of dead-ends alongrepparttar 106409 way. Knowledge gives usrepparttar 106410 ability to ignorerepparttar 106411 false paths and takerepparttar 106412 shortest route torepparttar 106413 answer.

Seeking Clarity in Uncertain Times

Written by David Brewster


'Clarity' is one of those rare words inrepparttar English language that is so basic, so fundamental, it virtually defines itself. We know when we have it but it can be very elusive. Most importantly, it is something we need - in our lives and our businesses - if we wish to move forward.

Clarity is essential to progress on a number of levels:

- We need enough clarity of 'now' in order to afford ourselvesrepparttar 106400 luxury of looking forward. Not understanding where we are is like remaining in idle while we try to work out whatrepparttar 106401 rattle is underrepparttar 106402 bonnet.

- We need enough clarity of 'where' in order to move confidently inrepparttar 106403 right direction. 'Where' doesn't need to be a sharply defined beacon, clearly visible downrepparttar 106404 road, but it does need to be bright enough to distinguish itself in a fog.

- We need enough clarity of 'how' to be able to judge which side-routes will take us forward and which won't. We will be tempted by numerous attractive detours alongrepparttar 106405 way; we need to make sure that those we take also move us forward.

There is a nice paradox about clarity. Onrepparttar 106406 one hand, crystal-clear clarity has a habit of replacing long-standing angst, puzzlement or confusion instantly and without warning. Remember trying to get your head around some maths or science concept at school, when suddenlyrepparttar 106407 penny drops and you wonder how you ever missedrepparttar 106408 point inrepparttar 106409 first place!

Onrepparttar 106410 other hand, clarity about 'real world' situations is seldom absolute. The world is too complex. It is all humanity mixed with systems mixed with uncertainty. Just when we thinkrepparttar 106411 picture is becoming clear, someone movesrepparttar 106412 antenna and we find ourselves snowed in again.

Cont'd on page 2 ==>
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use