denotes premium content | Jul 24 2008 Inside Knowledge Magazine /Knowledge Management Magazine Archive
Volume 8 Issue 5
Welcome to the February edition of Inside Knowledge. Thanks, first of all, to all those who have been kind enough to get in touch with feedback on the new-look magazine. Your response so far has been overwhelmingly positive, not just about the updated format and design, but also regarding the magazine’s name change. Based on the dozens of positive comments we have received, as well as the absence of any criticism of the new title, it seems the majority of readers agree that it is the creation and application of knowledge we should be focusing on, not what we call the disparate and constantly evolving collection of techniques and practices that helps us achieve this goal. Given this, the most important thing from our perspective is that we provide you with the right content: articles and case studies that help you to achieve your professional goals. Again, based on your response to the first issue of the magazine, it seems most of you are delighted with how we are progressing against this measure of success, too.
But there has been no time for members of the IK team to rest on their laurels. We recognise that there is always room for improvement, and in addition to this month’s magazine, there are one or two other things we have been working on. First off, and as many of you will by now have noticed, the magazine’s overhauled website is now up and running.
As well as a fresh ‘skin’, ikmagazine.com features improved navigation and a number of new features. We have included a section dedicated to research, in addition to an online discussion forum. The latter incorporates the Knowledge Advisory Centre, an interactive environment that will provide readers with direct access to a number of expert practitioners who hope to challenge your thinking and help you realise the full potential of your KM initiative (for more information, turn to page seven). Much like the magazine, the website will continue to evolve over the coming months, and your continued input is, as ever, enormously valuable.
Readers will also no doubt join IK staff in welcoming Chris Collison to the editorial board. A veteran of the much-lauded KM programme at BP, and currently leading change and knowledge management at Centrica, Chris brings to the role a wealth of experience and expertise. His first contribution as a board member is ‘The rules of engagement’, a case study describing how he employed a number of innovative techniques in his present company to secure that Holy Grail of knowledge-based work: senior buy-in and commitment to change. Crayon drawings, Albert Einstein, hot-air balloons and flying pigs all played a part. Turn to page 23 to find out more…
I hope your start to 2005 has been as productive (if not quite so frantic!) as the IK team’s has, and that you continue to enjoy reading the magazine.
Simon Lelic
Editor
Features
CASE STUDY: Centrica
Working with multiple intelligences to engage senior executives in the knowledge-sharing process. By Chris Collison
Running on empty? Maintaining momentum as KM matures
Securing the resources and support to launch a KM programme is a huge a challenge in any organisation, but just as difficult is sustaining momentum once the initiative reaches a certain level of maturity. Focusing on recent events that suggest something of a midlife crisis for KM at the World Bank, Jerry Ash looks at the issue of KM sustainability and reports on a number of case histories that demonstrate both the possibilities and the pitfalls.
CASE STUDY: Rolls-Royce
Practical knowledge-acquisition techniques that deliver tangible returns...
CASE STUDY: Ricardo
Exploring the processes, principles and constraints influencing the sustained success of a company that depends on knowledge to survive. By Martin Ward
Regulars
PROFILE: Etienne Wenger
By drawing on his experiences working with communities of practice and the lessons learnt by today’s knowledge-focused organisations, Etienne Wenger plans to develop a new learning theory for society as a whole...
MASTERCLASS: Zen and the art of taxonomy maintenance part II
Part two of the masterclass covering the creation, implementation and maintenance of taxonomies in a corporate context. By Jan Wyllie
TREND TRACKER: Oracle
By Chris Harris-Jones, research director, information management, Ovum
KNOWLEDGEWORKS: Take no shortcuts - hurry along
Continuing the theme of this month's cover story, 'Running on Empty? Mainataining momentum as KM matures'. By Jerry Ash
KM TOOLKIT: The big blog debate
Recent coverage of weblogs, more commonly known as blogs, has highlighted both the opportunities and the potential dangers the medium presents. There is no getting away from the rapid increase in interest blogging is generating among knowledge-focused professionals, however, and more organisations seem ready to take a leap of faith and incorporate blogs in their KM toolkit. By Jessica Twentyman
THOUGHT LEADER: Collaboration
If there was to be a ‘word of the year’ award, ‘collaboration’ would probably have been a very strong contender in 2004...
