Do you remember the conversations we had within law firms when we began to consider permitting desktop access to the Internet? Everyone focused on the potential loss of productivity. To be fair, that can be a problem. You don't have to walk far in any office to find someone surfing the net. Equally, you don't... Continue Reading →
The More Things Change
From time to time, this blog discusses various constant elements of human nature. Usually, we focus on the unwillingness of folks to do what they don't want to do and why this affects the adoption of new technology tools or knowledge management systems. The last few days and weeks have reminded us that there are... Continue Reading →
Constructive Destruction
A commentator on the economy described our current travails as "constructive destruction." Clearly this optimist believes that good will come out of our economic troubles. In some ways, this is not dissimilar to the fertilizing benefits of a forest fire. Short term pain for long term gain.Since law firms are so dependent on market forces,... Continue Reading →
Twittering Inside the Firewall
Are you tempted by the idea of Twitter inside the firewall? For true Twitter junkies, it may be nearly irresistible. And, now, we're hearing about some new Twitter-clones that are designed to operate within enterprises. However, before you start pushing this as the next big thing for law firm knowledge management, consider the following: What... Continue Reading →
Law Firm KM Reality Check
It's hard not to feel a little hung over after a weekend binge that included Hurricane Ike, the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the sale of Merrill Lynch and the potential restructuring of AIG. As we return to our offices this morning and our safe debates about taxonomy and technology, web 1.0 vs web 2.0, mandatory... Continue Reading →
How Leadership Makes a Difference
If you've got a generous budget and an appropriately-sized, energetic, motivated and productive staff, you can stop reading now. Clearly you've got more assets than most knowledge managers and must, as a result, be achieving great things in the world of knowledge management. If, however, you aren't so fortunate, you might want to read further.In... Continue Reading →
9/11 and Knowledge Management
It's cloudy today here in New York City. Even though the sky is not the bright, sparkling, optimistic blue it was early in the morning of September 11, 2001, there are plenty of other reminders of the events of that day.In the aftermath of 9/11, we learned that the government in fact had much of... Continue Reading →
When KM is Supported by the Top Brass
Most knowledge management treatises and guides will tell you that it is hard to carry out an enterprise wide knowledge management program without the full support of senior management. Unfortunately, within a lot of enterprises the members of senior management are sometimes those least likely to understand or use a KM system. Therefore, their support... Continue Reading →
Do You Have What it Takes to Collaborate?
Basic web 2.0 allows us transparency, a window into another's life. Multiplied over many people, web 2.0 helps them connect with each other and strengthen an existing or emerging social network. Providing these connections is helpful, but it isn't collaboration. True collaboration is more than just getting along. It's working together towards a common goal.... Continue Reading →
So You Think You Should “Command and Control”?
For too many years, law firm knowledge management has focused on centralized efforts to capture and disseminate "knowledge." Under this approach, knowledge is a thing, an object that must be found and corralled. And once you've found and organized all those knowledge things, you then tackle the daunting task of wresting tacit knowledge out of... Continue Reading →
Above and Beyond KM 