Knowledge Fika Episode 17: Human Connections & the Power of Random Conversations - Jonathan Gordon-Till
May 4, 2025
Join Jonathan Gordon-Till, a seasoned knowledge management expert and Community of Practice Leader at Mondelez, as he tackles the crucial balance between technology and human connection. He discusses the evolution of knowledge sharing in organizations, emphasizing the power of informal conversations and community bonds. Jonathan reveals the success of his 'Totally Random' program, demonstrating how random coffee chats enhance collaboration and innovation. He also reflects on the impact of AI in knowledge management, advocating for a human-centered approach for better outcomes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Communities at KM's Heart
- Communities of practice are the heart of knowledge management, focusing on human connections and conversations.
- Today, content and tool-centric approaches overshadow these vital community interactions.
Knowledge Work Challenge
- Even highly intelligent knowledge workers often neglect sharing and organizing knowledge effectively.
- Prioritization remains the biggest challenge due to time pressures despite the clear benefits of knowledge management.
Totally Random Program Success
- Jonathan Gordon-Till runs the Totally Random program, a simple randomized coffee trial connecting 1000 people globally every two weeks.
- It fosters personal connections and knowledge sharing across functions in 61 countries using only Excel and Outlook.