KM down under

Following our exploration last month of the impact of knowledge management in Asia, this month we head down under to see how KM has evolved in Australia and New Zealand. While Australia has both a well developed KM industry and community, New Zealand has historically been slightly off the pace in terms of innovation in the field. The future of KM looks bright in both nations, however, as this month’s case studies and features demonstrate. And though perhaps slightly beyond the remit of this edition, we have slipped in a case study from South Africa as well – specifically, from De Beers, a fascinating company with an equally fascinating KM story to tell.

Sharp-eyed readers may also have already spotted a slight shift around in personnel here at Knowledge Management magazine. After editing the publication for three and a half years, I will be stepping back from the day-to-day running of the magazine. As of this month, Sandra Higgison will be the new editor. Sandra was previously editor of Ark Group’s excellent publication aimed at content-management professionals, CM Focus, as well as being assistant editor here at Knowledge Management. She brings with her a wealth of journalistic experience and an intimate knowledge of the industry, so rest assured that the magazine will be in the safest of hands. May I take this opportunity to wish her the best of luck in her new role.

In addition to remaining as managing editor of Knowledge Management, I will be spending the majority of my time developing the reports side of our publishing division here at Ark Group. Following the success of our recent Taxonomies: Frameworks for Corporate Knowledge report, I will be looking to expand the range of topics we cover with this style of publication. In the very near future, we will be launching practical, hands-on guides to KM in the public sector and KM in the legal sector, as well as reports on customer relationship management, communities of practice and collaboration. These will be the first in an expanding portfolio of publications, so if you would like more information, or would like to get involved yourself, do drop me a line at the usual address: slelic@ark-group.com. I look forward to hearing from you, and to working with you again in the near future.

Simon Lelic

Features

Your say: KM down under Free
Australia and New Zealand have made significant headway in adopting knowledge-management practices across the private and public sectors. Both governments are committed to the discipline and have endorsed it as a strategy essential for economic growth in the region. However, surveys continue to show insufficient levels of investment into knowledge when compared to other OECD countries. Sandra Higgison looks at the roots of KM down under and evaluates its future.

Case study: Reining in knowledge during an M&A Free
During a merger, much time and energy is given to the integration of physical assets but intellectual assets are often ignored. If people feel undervalued or threatened by the change process companies run the risk of allowing knowledge to walk out the door. Kathy Rod highlights the role knowledge management should play in the planning and integration process to ensure the retention of key personnel.

Case study: Giving new life to KM at ARCBS Free
As part of its strategic plan, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service is implementing an intranet to improve communication, share information and knowledge, and encourage innovation. Having led the project into its second phase, Beverly Cummings is well placed to describe how the intranet’s objectives are being met and the challenges the organisation has faced along the way.

Case study: De Beers mines for knowledge gems Free
Knowledge management has helped De Beers face its competitive market by drawing on the value of over 100 years’ worth of knowledge and experience. Ian Corbett and Nick Milton were tasked with the challenge of capitalising on the company’s intellectual capital. They reveal how they took the KM concept and embedded it into organisational processes.

Case study: Back to school with e-learning Free
Following extensive research into the learning market, Bronwen Clifton concluded that e-learning was the best option for upskilling staff and enhancing knowledge-management initiatives at New Zealand’s Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. Here she outlines how the e-learning business case was prepared and highlights the project’s successes.

Regulars

The Knowledge: Verna Allee Free
In just over two months’ time, this year’s KM Europe gets underway in Amsterdam. As the countdown to the event enters the final stages, Simon Lelic talks to keynote presenter Verna Allee about her career and the issues she feels will shape knowledge management in the years to come.

On the web: Launching the ARK Free
ARKive does not rescue wildlife directly but provides a digital safe haven for detailed records – films, photographs, sound recordings and memories – of their existence. Launched in May 2003 by Sir David Attenborough, Rob Curtis describes the site’s development and need for content management.

Country focus: Mexico Free
Simon Lelic talks to Francisco Javier Carrillo, director of the Centre for Knowledge Systems, about the evolution of knowledge management in Mexico.

Five minutes with... SCIE Free
Jacquie Bran, project manager with the Knowledge Management events team, speaks to Diane Gwynne-Smith. Gwynne-Smith has been involved with the Social Care Institute for Excellence’s KM programme and strategy from its inception. Here, she discusses the challenges she is facing in developing a strategic approach to KM.

Book review: Geeks and Geezers Free
Patti Anklam reviews Geeks and Geezers: How Era, Values and Defining Moments Shape Leaders, by Warren G. Bennis and Robert J. Thomas.