6 Tools for Knowledge Capture
I recently returned from a trip to a client’s site in the Andes just outside Cajamarca, Peru. We were there with an elusive mission…capture knowledge. Can it get more vague?
As we plow further into an economy centered around knowledge and the exchange of it, this exercise will become much more commonplace (I predict) but for us we needed to explain to our client that in order to facilitate the exchange of tacit knowledge, first we had to be able to show some of it.
Of course tacit knowledge, by definition, can’t really be adequately captured so we were looking for things that would serve as the catalysts of conversation, as indicators that people around the globe in similar positions were facing like challenges and developing complementary solutions.
To accomplish this I brought along six tools:
- Videocamera: probably the most important of them all. The power of video cannot be underestimated as a means for transferring tacit knowledge, building relationships/trust and just providing a consistent (and quick) means of getting others up to speed on complex situations.
- Camera: For situations where video wasn’t allowed or suitable a still camera was utilized. It has similar benefits as a videocamera…just a slightly different application.
- Audio recorder: This was used to capture the conversations we had with people. It was a great resource for us to go back later and revisit our conversations and hear verbatim what the person was saying as well as their tone when saying it.
- Flash drive: Not everything we encountered was tacit knowledge. Explicit knowledge that was contained in documents and spreadsheets is certainly valuable as well and we were easily able to snag it via the USB drive.
- Laptop: While technically not critical for capturing, my laptop served as peace of mind that we could download our loot from the day and know it was safely saved for later use. It also allowed us to see our pics and videos from the day and refine our strategy for the following days.
- External hard drive: This was also for peace of mind as well as video storage. It’s a 500 MB durable drive that I dumped video into each night. It’s nice b/c it didn’t take up space on my laptop and it can take a beating.
This was a great trip because it yielded many tangible (or at least viewable) examples of the knowledge that people had as well as what they were seeking. This provided the foundation for several excellent conversations with our project sponsors – it’s nice to be able to transition from talking about things such as ‘knowledge workers’, the ‘knowledge economy’ and ‘knowledge transfer’ and show a video of real-life examples of this happening at one of their locations.
What tools have you used to capture the knowledge in your organization?
January 25th, 2009 No Comments »
3rd Annual International Learning & Performance Conference – ASTD
3rd Annual Int’l Learning & Performance Conference – ASTD
| When: | Thursday, March 19 – Sunday, March 22, 2009 |
| Where: | Beijing, China |
| Event type: | Symposium/Conference |
| Additional Information: | Please see web link for more details |
| Sponsoring Organization: | ASTD.org |
| Registration Link: | www.astd.org… |
| Note: |
Hear from industry experts and learn how to gain competitive advantages through leadership development and strategically managing the learning function. Finding and keeping leadership talent has risen to the top of the CEO’s agenda—trumping business growth, innovation, and customer loyalty. In fact, the majority of senior leaders expect their businesses to suffer due to an insufficient supply of management talent. We’ll confront those issues head on by drawing on the results of our new Global Leadership Forecast, in which we surveyed HR professionals and more than 12,200 leaders in nearly 1,500 organizations worldwide. Moreover, by contrasting the typical to the very best quality leadership development programs, we’ll explore what really works. We’ll address frontline to senior leadership and cover special topics like high potentials, succession planning, and multinational leadership. |
| Link: | www.astd.org… |
January 3rd, 2009 No Comments »
CLO Breakfast Club, Chicago
CLO Breakfast Club, Chicago
| When: | Thursday, March 12, 2009 |
| Where: | University of Chicago Gleacher Center 450 North Cityfront Plaza Drive Chicago, IL 60611 |
| Event type: | Breakfast Club |
| Price – High: | 54.95 |
| Price – Low: | 49.95 |
| Presenter: | N/A |
| Additional Information: | please see web link for more details |
| Sponsoring Organization: | CLO Media |
| Registration Link: | guest.cvent.com… |
| Note: |
In the 2009 Breakfast Club series, our panel of industry experts will lead conversations in cities across the United States about the role the learning organization plays in leading growth and innovation, even in tough economic times. |
| Link: | www.clomedia.com… |
January 3rd, 2009 No Comments »
International Sunbelt Social Network Conference
International Sunbelt Social Network Conference
| When: | Tuesday, March 10 – Sunday, March 15, 2009 |
| Where: | Bahia Resort Hotel 998 West Mission Bay Drive San Diego, CA 92109 |
| Event type: | Symposium/Conference |
| Additional Information: | see web link for more information |
| Sponsoring Organization: | INSNA |
| Registration Link: | www.insna.org… |
| Note: |
The International Sunbelt Social Network Conference will provide an interdisciplinary venue for social scientists, mathematicians, computer scientists, ethnologists, and others to present current work in the area of social networks. Workshops and conference sessions will allow individuals interested in theory, methods, or applications of social network analysis to share ideas and explore common interests. |
| Link: | www.insna.org… |
January 3rd, 2009 No Comments »
Talent Management Magazine’s Strategies 2009: Innovation to Impact
Talent Management Strategies 2009: Innovation to Impact
| When: | Monday, February 23 – Wednesday, February 25, 2009 |
| Where: | The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel — Dana Point, California |
| Event type: | Symposium/Conference |
| Price: | |
| Additional Information: | Please see web link for more details. |
| Sponsoring Organization: | Talent Management |
| Registration Link: | guest.cvent.com… |
| Note: |
Join us at Talent Management Magazine’s Strategies 2009, the industry’s premier event, bringing together HR executives, talent management experts and industry thought leaders for a high-level meeting dedicated to developing and implementing an integrated talent management strategy. We’ll explore innovative strategies and practices that leverage the power of the organization’s talent for optimal impact and dramatic results. |
| Link: | www.talentmgt.com… |
January 3rd, 2009 No Comments »
Training 2009 Conference & Expo
Training 2009 Conference & Expo
| When: | Monday, February 9 – Wednesday, February 11, 2009 |
| Where: | Georgia World Congress Center Atlanta, GA |
| Additional Information: | please see web link for more details |
| Event Type: | Conference & Expo |
| Sponsoring Organization: | Training Magazine |
| Registration Link: | www.trainingconference.com… |
| Note: |
As the source for professional development, this year’s conference promises all of the in-depth content and practical insights you’ve come to expect from Training magazine . . . and much more. |
| Link: | www.trainingconference.com… |
January 3rd, 2009 1 Comment »
ASTD TechKnowledge 2009
ASTD TechKnowledge 2009
| When: | Wednesday, January 28 – Friday, January 30, 2009 |
| Where: | Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino 3700 W. Flamingo Road Las Vegas, NV 89103 |
| Event type: | Symposium/Conference |
| Additional Information: | Please see web link for details |
| Sponsoring Organization: | ASTD |
| Registration Link: | tk09.astd.org… |
| Note: |
Since 2001, ASTD TechKnowledge® has provided attendees with the latest information, best practices, and learning technology resources available. Experienced practitioners, and an EXPO full of leading suppliers provide tangible results that can be implemented immediately upon returning to work. The educational program includes more than 80 sessions including hands-on computer labs and corporate case studies. |
| Link: | www.tk09.astd.org |
January 3rd, 2009 No Comments »