Inside knowledge

Our previous editor, Sandra Higgison, talked about change management in the June issue of Knowledge Management, and change has certainly been the theme here at Ark Group this summer. I am delighted to introduce myself as deputy editor and the newest addition to the Knowledge Management team. Over the past month I have been wading through a sea of KM literature and I am excited by the prospect of learning all I can about this fascinating field. I have been lucky enough to have some wonderful authors in this July/August issue who have been unfailingly patient and supportive.

Knowledge Management magazine is going through its own changes, which will be even more apparent as we head into autumn. Jerry Ash, creator of the Association of Knowledgework and the subject of ‘The knowledge’ this month, will be joining us as US correspondent and consulting editor. Jerry will write his first column in September. Unfortunately, with space in these pages at a premium, something had to give way, so this month we also bid farewell to the ‘Country focus’ feature. But don’t despair, as we have extended our news section to keep you up to date on even more KM goings-on world-wide.

KM itself is a global discipline, crossing both physical and cultural boundaries. This month’s special focus on the mobile workforce has given me the opportunity to explore the challenges companies are facing in this area. “The best source of knowledge is the worker in the field,” says Pat Brans of iAnywhere in our ‘Your say’ feature on page 18. However, particularly given recent technological advancements, I was surprised to learn that many mobile workers feel that they are ill-equipped to deliver the best to their customers when on the road. Let’s hope that vendors and management alike take heed and begin to provide employees with improved KM strategies and solutions, regardless of their location.

I myself have been out and about over the past couple of months and was able to attend Ark Group’s KMUK event in London. It was a huge success, with Larry Prusak, Steve Denning and Dave Snowden all presenting keynotes that delivered real insight into the future of KM, urging companies to re-invent their KM ethos to embrace, respect and share knowledge in order to retain staff. For a rookie such as me, it was a perfect introduction to the field and a good opportunity to meet some hands-on practitioners. For those of you who couldn’t make it, our feature on page eight lets you in on what you missed.

Finally, after a hectic handover period, I would like to thank Sandra for her support in making the changeover so smooth. And we hope to be hearing more from Sandra in the future as, in her new capacity as part of the KM team at Aon, she will be contributing a case study for an upcoming issue. We look forward to welcoming her back, and wish her the very best of luck in her new role.

Rebecca Cavalôt
Deputy editor

Features

Concerns of a CKO (Capgemini) Free
A chief knowledge officer’s role involves implementing knowledge-sharing initiatives across complex organisational environments. Antonella Padova draws on her substantial experience to explain the perils and pitfalls, and to offer some practical advice on overcoming KM hurdles.

Achieving a healthy KM assessment (NHS Modernisation Agency) Free
When implementing a KM programme, many organisations employ knowledge audits as a means of gauging the initiative’s success. Ana Neves shares her experience of a knowledge-audit exercise recently carried out at the NHS Modernisation Agency and reflects on the impact it made.

Solving peer-to-peer-pressured IT (Intel) Free
When developing an integrated, internal programme to tackle KM issues, Intel had to consider a variety of global communication and performance pressures. Here Martin Curley shares his personal experiences of implementing a peer-to-peer solution at the computing giant.

Creating a competent community (Kumba Resources) Free
Kumba Resources has pioneered an internal knowledge-sharing culture, but it has not all been plain sailing. Judi Sandrock explains how successful communities of practice are the backbone of the company’s KM strategy and identifies the crucial tools for knowledge workers.

Going the distance (Fujitsu) Free
Today’s workforce is becoming a mobile one and organisations need to ensure access to knowledge-management tools if employees are to stay up to speed with project developments. Tom Knight and Justin Souter explain how Fujitsu has overcome physical location to ensure workers remain fully informed, regardless of their location.

Regulars

Book review: Taxonomies: Frameworks for Corporate Knowledge Free
Mikko Arevuo reviews Taxonomies: Frameworks for Corporate Knowledge by Jan Wyllie, in association with David Skyrme and Simon Lelic.

Five minutes with: Michael Behounek, Halliburton Free
James Renton, project manager with the Knowledge Management events team, speaks to Michael Behounek, director of knowledge management at Halliburton.

Country focus: China Free
Simon Lelic talks to Arno Boersma and Sridhar Vedala, management consultants at Squarewise, about the evolution of knowledge management in China.

Put it to the board: Paul Louis Iske Free
At conferences, people have been discussing the validity of the expression ‘knowledge management’. Many believe that the term is too vague or that the concept is subject to business hype; others feel it is an invention by consultants or only applies to those involved solely in ICT.

The knowledge: Jerry Ash Free
The Association of Knowledgework, incorporating the esteemed Star Series Dialogues, is the brainchild of one man. On the verge of an exciting partnership with Ark Group, Jerry Ash considers the highlights of his career and talks to Rebecca Cavalôt about his baptism into KM and a future ‘new order’, where individual intellectual activity and technology will unite.

Your say: KM and the mobile workforce Free
As workforces become more peripatetic, organisations are gradually making moves to equip employees with the appropriate tools and knowledge to support a mobile culture. However, the mobile workforce has been active for some time and yet few distance workers feel sufficiently prepared to deliver their best to the customer. Rebecca Cavalôt finds out why companies are still playing catch-up and how the remote workforce is suffering.