Beyond knowledge management to better management
Current economic conditions have given birth to a new frugality in business. I saw that recently in my response to a request from a colleague who was looking for a new way to organize client materials. There was a time when that request would have triggered fun research into the coolest available technology. Instead, my... Continue Reading →
Regardless of official job descriptions and titles, one of the most important functions knowledge management performs is that of corporate matchmaker. The matches KM makes are often transitory, but can be very important in the moment. If you're looking for advice, we find you an expert. If you're looking for an example, we find you... Continue Reading →
I recently saw adults behaving very badly in God of Carnage. And then courtesy of the Metropolitan Opera's iconic production of the Ring Cycle, I saw gods behaving badly, mortals behaving badly, giants behaving badly, dwarfs behaving badly ... you get the picture. All of this aberrant behavior started me wondering about how we factor... Continue Reading →
Those of us who chase knowledge for a living have learned the hard way that our target frequently is elusive and the available tools and methods are not always adequate. Despite this, we do strive to identify and follow the best route for achieving the knowledge management goals set by our firms. In a prior... Continue Reading →
In a recent meeting, a vendor said with great enthusiasm, "Let me show you our KM solution." For a brief moment of intense joy, I actually thought I was about to experience KM enlightenment. I should have known better. After a bit of fanfare, he unveiled ... a search engine. Admittedly, it appeared to be... Continue Reading →
Over the weekend, I met a rather opinionated person. (Although, perhaps it is overstating it a bit to use the word "person.") She was very insistent that we do things her way and really wasn't open to a conversation about alternative approaches. If we decided not to follow her advice, she'd repeat insistently, "off-route, recalculating,... Continue Reading →
Sometimes we just want someone to tell us what needs to be done and how to do it. For those moments, there are hundreds of "how-to" books that purport to tell us how to "do" knowledge management -- beginner's guides, dummies' guides, idiot guides, lazy person's guides, etc. They are in the bookstores and their... Continue Reading →
Today we'll hear over and over again about the "importance of the first 100 days." And, we'll hear a range of judgments pronounced on the performance of the Obama administration. Given the usual hype-to-bust news cycle, most of it can be ignored -- and I certainly won't add to it. However, it is worth noting... Continue Reading →
The International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) is assessing the current state of law firm knowledge management and would like your assistance. Their first step is to gather data on what's happening on the ground. To participate, please complete their brief online survey, which focuses on the number and types of people who work in KM... Continue Reading →
Do you know what kind of fuel you need for inspiration and innovation? I discovered the answer to that question the hard way this past weekend. Last weekend several members of my family achieved important milestones. As a result, the entire weekend was taken up with large family events. And, with all that celebrating, I... Continue Reading →
Above and Beyond KM 