Editor's letter

I am a very fast typist. The article you find on page 20, by Larry Prusak, is actually a transcript of a keynote address he delivered to the 13th annual American Productivity & Quality Center (APQC) knowledge management (KM) conference, which was recently held in Chicago.
The number 13 struck me. It was the same number of years ago that I attended my first ever KM conference in Houston, Texas – at the home of APQC. The organisation was big, the attendance relatively small and the conference was held at the headquarters, which were impressive.
This time I was there as a member of the press and I left with more than merely stories. I left with the same style of cutting-edge knowledge I was presented with 13 years ago – at the beginning, for APQC and for me.
I had never met Larry Prusak but in my mind he was one of a list of ‘overblown’ icons with a knack for the spotlight and a penchant for staying in his own circle of celebrities. He didn’t join my network at the Association of Knowledgework, which was for everyone from thought leaders and practitioners to newbies. Too low to the ground for the likes of Larry Prusak, I thought.
Jealousy. Now I can admit it was jealousy.
On his feet Larry Prusak thinks like me – but a whole lot better. My fingers flew as I took what were supposed to be notes of his presentation. I hung on his every word and they flew into my keyboard. He said nothing that didn’t merit being written down, especially his personal stories.
I was too busy at the conference to spend the time with Larry that I would have liked, but we worked together on the resulting article and I’m still blown away with his down-to-earth energy. What a guy!
Face time has always been one of my pet peeves. Being trapped largely in the virtual world, where I have built many personal relationships, I have believed face time is overrated. But every time I go to an event, I learn better.
Okay, I’m reminiscing – but to make a point. World class gatherings of people in the flesh are huge opportunities rewarded by the human energy that accompanies the electric exchange of knowledge in real space. As Larry says, “If the virtual world is so great, why are the planes still full?”
My next opportunity to be with you in the real world is at Ark Group’s Knowledge & Content (KCUK) conference from 25-26 June, in London. Here, perhaps you can help me in my mission to gather more stories and friends in the real world. For more information about KCUK, or to book a place, visit http://www.kc-uk.co.uk

Jerry Ash, Editor

Features

The next big step in electronic records management This article is for subscribers only
The author was leader of a project funded by the European Commission for the DLM Forum, which produces MoReq2. He explains the uses, advantages and weaknesses of this ERM advance.

ei cover feature: Getting the most from your digital mailroom deployment This article is for subscribers only
The right approach to document classification directly impacts customer service delivery to give your mailroom organisation the advantage.

Masterclass: Part one This article is for subscribers only
A knowledge manager uses first hand experience to help first-time knowledge leaders establish a KM programme.

Lisbon strategy: Mad dash to the finish line This article is for subscribers only
Ultimate success will depend on the sustainability of implementations over the next 18 months.

IK cover feature: New challenge for knowledge management This article is for subscribers only
KM usage has grown substantially, but it now faces a daunting generational barrier to knowledge transfer.

The knowledge: David Gurteen Free
He’s the king of knowledge cafés. The model of knowledge sharing. The architect of the world’s most friendly knowledge website. Host to online discussion forums. Author of a monthly newsletter, now in its eighth year, with a subscription list of 15,000 people in 154 countries. He is one of the world’s most respected knowledge experts.

Regulars

The last word: Understand human aspects before adopting e-mail technologies Free
Times columnist provides advance thoughts on e-mail management in preparation for her one-day masterclass in London

Knowledgeworks: Does Generational Difference Matter? Free
While other articles in this issue emphasise the social differences in a multi-generational workplace, a talent management expert discusses research that dispels some myths.

Comment: Knowledge and information exchange places on the value scale Free
The knowledge monopoly has come to an end but the world is bursting with new ideas in knowledge, which need to be exploited.

Opinion: Ode to the death of Word’s paperclip Free
Thanks to Facebook, Myspace, blogs and wikis, the creation and posting of a formal document seems to be out of fashion.

Book review: Exodus to the Virtual World: How Online Fun Is Changing Reality Free
Imagine a future where 40 per cent of real economic production (GDP) is generated in a virtual world people call their ‘actual home’; (new world) interaction informs public policy in the real (old) world; life is fun; relatively inexpensive; and a common shared purpose exists.

The Gurteen perspective: Cut the hype Free
A while back I received an e-mail from the secretary of a well-known UK management consultant, who asked if I would consider adding the consultant to the set of people profiles I have on my website.

Thought leader: Should it be wisdom – not knowledge – management? Free
The actKM worldwide forum has been debating whether it’s time to extend KM into wisdom management.
Joe Firestone thinks the definitional ambiguities of KM would be far exceeded by those of wisdom management (WM), making it an unproductive endeavour. Steve Denning believes there is already a growing literature and service provision in the field of WM, citing the work of Dorothy Leonard and Gary Klein.