If Only We Knew What We Know

"We view knowledge as dynamic?a consequence of action and interaction of people in an organization with information and with each other. "

"Fortunately, most companies have some experience already in managing knowledge."

"Labeling any practice as "best" immediately raises a hue and cry of dissenting voices in the organization."

"Organizational personalities come in all sorts of shapes and sizes."

"Companies must create an environment where the four enablers of information technologies, culture, measurement systems, and organizational infrastructure are supportive of sharing."

"What is the strategic problem or process that could be improved if knowledge about best practices were better shared and transferred in your organization?"

"It is surprising that the arenas of sales and marketing and customer service have frequently eluded the reengineering knife of recent years."

"Speed means there is less time to procrastinate on new product ideas, less time to rerun experiments or try out new products before a full launch. If you don't do it, someone else will."

"We have never seen a best practice that could be transplanted like a begonia."

"Practices embedded in people, culture, and context are complex and rich."

"Explicit rewards and incentives go only so far."

"While new technologies are making the transfer of practices and knowledge more affordable than ever before, companies that think that simply by developing an intranet they will make sharing happen are dangerously wrong."

"If no one is "charged" with watching out for transfer, it will fizzle and fade."

"Although measurement of the success of KM and transfer initiatives is perhaps the least developed area in this evolving field, it is a critical component of the creation an environment that both encourages and sustains sharing."