Looking forward

By Oliver Schwabe

In the past 12 months we have shared our thoughts on the many important themes for organisations struggling to move successfully into the knowledge-based economy.

Although with this issue our column draws to a close, we look forward to continuing our discussions with you on these themes elsewhere. Indeed, in the past year there have been a number of significant developments that give much cause for optimism:

1. Debra Amidon and Bryan Davis are completing their ground-breaking global research into knowledge innovation® zones – see www.inthekzone.com. Also, Debra will be presenting her latest research paper at the 5^th International Roundtable and Oman World Summit on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (www.wsie.org);

2. In association with Entovation International, Eurofocus has delivered an ‘innovation enablement’ programme to the Egyptian Government – see http://www.mastering-echange.com/KEN-RITSEC/RITSEC-Masterfile-Web.htm, as well as this month’s News update;

3. Karl-Erik Sveiby is completing work on his new book, which is based upon an intensive review of aboriginal story telling and its significance for the knowledge-based society. This will be published later in 2006;

4. KnowInc is gaining growing acceptance for its RAPIDS tool for a knowledge-focused approach to mass customisation – see http://www.rapidstechnology.com/ and http://www.knowinc.com/;

5. Verna Allee has launched a new Fieldbook as a comprehensive resource for value networks analysis – see http://www.alleevaluenetworks.com/;

6. Oliver Schwabe and Eurofocus have launched GenIsis^TM, a software application that supports the new Fieldbook offering by Verna Allee. It will establish a database for benchmarking of value networks and we are currently completing the integration of methodologies by Verna Allee and Karl-Erik Sveiby – see http://www.eurofocus.homepage.t-online.de/pages/alignment.html and http://www.alleevaluenetworks.com/;

7. Sergej van Middendorp and e-office continues to help customers make better use of their professionals' capacity by providing them with appropriate portal and other applications based on IBM and Microsoft technology – see www.e-office.com;

8. Paola de Piccoli and Intellectual Capital Certification are serving more and more government and non-government organisations with its unique approach to knowledge management – see http://www.intellectualcapitalcertification.it/. Its new Intellectual Capital magazine is also attracting widespread attention.

Busier than ever, we are sensing that most organisations are becoming more pragmatic about technology in regard to managing knowledge. By making their organisations better for their people, moving to more holistic perceptions of the networks they operate in and by focusing on developing innovation competencies, they are re-aligning their efforts to create sustainable success in an increasingly volatile global context.

By accepting that it is the learning that matters, as opposed to trying to create command-and-control contexts, these organisations will help in proving that ‘brains matter’ and that we need to do our utmost to leverage their potential in a respectful and healthy manner.

If there is one final message we might have, it is that the sustainable success of any enterprise will be the result of a rich dialogue among its stakeholders. A dialogue that is marked by openness, trust, and the willingness to build long-term relationships. Can the value of this be proved? This is indeed a question we are frequently asked and are happy to share our answers in a personal dialogue with you.

The Proof of Value Network (http://www.proofofvaluenetwork.com/) is a network of expert practitioners who support value creation from intangibles. We can help you develop strategic capabilities for the 21st century organisation. We would like to thank our readers for their attention and look forward to continuing our discussions with you in the coming years.

oliver_schwabe@t-online.de