GUEST COLUMN
by Russ Brock

1. Make reflection and learning a part of the culture.  Help employees clarify organizational values and operating assumptions that drive the culture and the decisions it makes.  Show people how knowledge and learning are linked to performance.

2. Remove constraints that block the flow and access to crucial information.  Explore ways to release information that is trapped or hidden in the organization.

3. Make knowledge sharing an organizational norm.  Establish a positive balance of consequences to ensure that employees are motivated to share rather than hold onto critical information.

4. Build smooth links between organizational units and levels. Trustability is a key component of knowledge management and requires that effective relationships be formed before knowledge is exchanged freely. Provide cross-functional learning opportunities for employees.

5. Collaborate with information technology staff to design a network that connects people as well and machines.  Assist the IT team in articulating the intended outcomes of a successful KM system.

6. Through performance consulting, determine the organization's critical metrics.  What are it's outcome requirements (new products, customer satisfaction, value added service, etc.)?  Improve employee understanding of the connection between performance and organizational outcomes. Identifying how knowledge contributes to value creation.

7. Create a directory of organizational expertise.  Identify who has the knowledge and what is known that enables the organization to perform as desired.  Highlight the best practices within the organization and discover ways to transfer this knowledge to other areas.

8. Create a taxonomy that describes what different types of knowledge are and how they are used in various parts of the organization.  Classify and cross-reference knowledge by key word finders.  Develop a common language for the entire organization.

9. Use your professional network and resources (such as local chapter members, national ASTD website, etc.) to gain insight into how other organizations have implemented KM successfully.  Use this fresh perspective to help your organization make an objective analysis of its knowledge management needs and processes.

We can see that it is as important to develop the users of organizational knowledge as it is to manage the knowledge they use.  Knowledge management is never an end in itself; it is a means to connect people and help them use knowledge to achieve a common purpose.  As an HRD professional, you are uniquely positioned to play an important leadership role in the success of knowledge management.

Russ Brock is managing partner and senior consultant for the Center for Innovation & Inquiry in Columbus, OH.  Russ has been in the field of organization development and change management for twenty-five years.  He is serving his third year on the National Advisors for Chapters.  His email address is rbrock@centerforinquiry.com.

New Alliance and Partnerships

THEN, SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management) also agreed to allow our members to attend their events at their member price.  If you'd like to see their event schedules, simply follow the links at http://www.managersforum.com/ASTD/2000-2001/assc.htm

NOW, we have formed an alliance with the local STC chapter to present each other's event information and investigate some future joint event opportunities.

Society for Technical Communication (STC) is a professional association that advances the arts and sciences of technical communication. Its 25,000 members include technical writers, editors, graphic designers, multimedia artists, Web and Intranet page information designers, translators and others whose work involves making technical information understandable and available to those who need it. STC membership provides opportunities for ongoing learning and professional networking. STC promotes the public welfare by educating members and industry about issues concerning technical communication.

If you'd like more information about these and other planned events, go to http://www.managersforum.com/ASTD/2000-2001/assc.htm

We will continue to partner with other associations as opportunities arise. Contact any Board member if you'd like to suggest a potential partner association.

Newsletter Deadline
Submissions for the next newsletter must be in by 1/9/2001.


Member Corner
Christie Mason, of Managers Forum, has just completed several local presentations.  "The Value of Training" for the Rock Valley SHRM chapter and "Learning about eLearning" for Columbia College. 

She also presented "The Circus of Life" and "Living a Magical Life" for the December IMC meeting.

 

NIU - Lunch & Learn

NIU-Rockford will host three “Lunch ‘n Learn” seminars in February 2001 for area meeting planners, trainers, managers and individuals that have event planning and presentation responsibilities.  Three local professionals with expertise in meeting planning, marketing communications and technology will educate and entertain area meeting planners and trainers.  Leave the planning to us and treat yourself to a career-enriching seminar and a great lunch.  Attend any or all three workshops.    Registration begins at 11:45 a.m. and seminar runs 12 to 1 p.m. The cost is $8/session and includes lunch.  One of NIU-Rockford’s new 2001 lunch buffets will be served.  We’d like to offer ASTD members the opportunity to attend ONE workshop for FREE when you register by Wednesday, January 31, 2001.

Wednesday, February 7:
“The Devil is in the Details: Planning a Successful Meeting”

Rose Briani-Burden,
senior communications specialist, Woodward
The success or failure of your meeting depends on your attention to details.  Rose Briani-Burden, a senior communications specialist at Woodward, will identify the keys to successfully planning any event.  A former Sundstrand Corporation employee who planned Sundstrand’s annual meetings, Briani-Burden will tell you how to select the right location, incorporate recreational activities and much more.  Walk away with a valuable checklist of details you’ll want to start using immediately.

Tuesday, February 13:
“Tracking the trends: The future of event planning”
Martha Mitchell, executive director,
Beloit Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
Sales training, executive retreats, educational conferences and association meetings.  Martha Mitchell has handled all types of events.  So when a group wants to escape office chaos, Mitchell knows exactly where these groups are going to get down to business, what they want in after-hours entertainment and how groups market meetings and training sessions to increase attendance.  Mitchell, the former vice president of the Rockford Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, will tell you about the latest in meeting and training trends.  What do meeting planners want?  What’s affecting company training events?  As the current executive director for the Beloit Convention and Visitors Bureau, Mitchell’s extensive background  includes hotel management and 15 years of membership in Meeting Planners International.

Thursday, February 22:
“Are they paying attention?
Choosing the right media to deliver a successful presentation”
Sandi Wohlford, account executive,
Trekk, Inc.

Overhead projectors, 35mm slide projectors, interactive CDs and the World Wide Web.  The goal of communicating your message has not changed, but competing in today's cluttered and fast-paced world has become increasingly difficult.  Make an impression!  Deliver a presentation that stands out.  Sandi Wohlford, an account executive with Trekk, Inc. who specializes in marketing communication strategies, offers suggestions on how you can effectively convey your message using new and traditional technologies.

Attend any or all three sessions.  The cost for each “Lunch ‘n Learn” seminar is $8.00/person.  One of NIU-Rockford’s new 2001 lunch buffets will be served. Visit our Web site for workshop and registration details at: www.niurockford.niu.edu under “meeting and training facilities.”  Or contact Anissa Kuhar at (815) 332-7339 or anissak@niu.edu for a registration form.

Seating is limited.  Reservation deadline is Wednesday, January 31, 2001.