Starting the Seedlings of a Knowledge Garden with Dawn Brushammar
Jan 22, 2024
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Dawn Brushammar, a knowledge management professional, discusses the connection between knowledge management and library skills, the organic approach to leadership and culture in her organization, the growth of a consulting firm, the importance of librarians in knowledge management, and striking the balance between standardization and creativity in business intelligence.
Successful knowledge management relies on understanding user needs and connecting the right people together.
Establishing a taxonomy and involving experts and the wider organization is crucial for effective knowledge management.
Deep dives
The Importance of Knowledge Management in Organizational Culture
Knowledge management plays a crucial role in organizations by gathering, organizing, and incentivizing the sharing of knowledge. It involves creating a culture where people freely share their expertise and insights. The key to successful knowledge management lies in understanding user needs, both expressed and unexpressed, and connecting the right people together. Librarians are particularly well-suited for knowledge management due to their skills in understanding user needs, organizing information, and creating taxonomies. While technology is important, the emphasis should be on the people and culture that support knowledge sharing.
Building Knowledge Management Structures and Procedures
As organizations grow and expand, implementing formalized knowledge management structures and procedures becomes imperative. It is crucial to establish a taxonomy as the foundation for effective knowledge management. This entails categorizing and organizing information in a way that aligns with user needs. Inviting input and involvement from experts and the wider organization is essential to ensure the taxonomy accurately reflects the specific context and work areas. Additionally, defining and maintaining a glossary of terms aids in establishing a common understanding and effective communication. Successful knowledge management requires striking a balance between structure and the flexibility needed for innovation and organic growth.
The Paradigm of Connecting People in Knowledge Management
Knowledge management is not solely about document management but, more importantly, about connecting the right people to each other. In large organizations, the focus should be on fostering a culture where people willingly share their knowledge and expertise, as well as establishing mechanisms for finding the right experts when needed. To create an effective knowledge-sharing culture, organizations should identify and value individuals who naturally exhibit connecting behaviors. These individuals act as bridge builders, facilitators, and community builders, forging connections among colleagues and enabling knowledge to flow seamlessly across the organization.
Dawn is proud to be building Knowledge Management capabilities at Implement Consulting Group - a truly unique Danish-born global consulting company.
Dawn Brushammar has spent a 25+ year career connecting people to relevant knowledge and information. This includes leading information and knowledge initiatives for leading consulting firms, building databases for an Emmy-winning daytime talk show host, running research services for a major financial services player, and being a librarian at several universities and an environmental and sustainability research institute. She even had an entrepreneurial stint with her own professional organizing and productivity company. Dawn is a data and taxonomy nerd and forever a librarian at heart.
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