Knowledge management: encouraging knowledge sharing: February 11, 2002 issue of New Thinking

February 11, 2002 New Thinking:
Knowledge management: encouraging knowledge sharing

Website content management

Home I About I Services I Clients I Contact

New Thinking Home

Subject Classification
Reader Feedback
Subscribing
Unsubscribing
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996

Books by
Gerry McGovern

Content Critical

Gaining competitive advantage through high-quality web content

The Web Content
Style Guide

The essential guide
for online writers, editors and managers

February 11, 2002

Knowledge management: encouraging knowledge sharing

By Gerry McGovern

Knowledge is increasingly seen as the most valuable asset of the modern organization. A key challenge that is emerging for such organizations is how to encourage knowledge sharing. A line of thinking proposes that to create the right environment for knowledge sharing, an organization must articulate a clear set of vision and values.

Below are a set of vision and values by a pioneering knowledge organization. Some propose that adapting a similar set of vision and values will lead to a truly knowledge-driven organization. Others believe that vision and values statements have become generic and essentially meaningless. You decide.

Our Values

Respect
We treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves. We do not tolerate abusive or disrespectful treatment. Ruthlessness, callousness, and arrogance don't belong here.

Integrity
We work with customers and prospects openly, honestly, and sincerely. When we say we will do something, we will do it; when we say we cannot or will not do something, then we won't do it.

Communication
We have an obligation to communicate. Here, we take the time to talk with one another … and to listen. We believe that information is meant to move and that information moves people.

Excellence
We are satisfied with nothing less than the very best in everything we do. We will continue to raise the bar for everyone. The great fun here will be for all of us to discover just how good we can really be.

Our Vision

Our markets
We believe in the inherent wisdom of open markets. We are convinced that consumer choice and competition lead to lower prices and innovation.

Innovation
We are a laboratory of innovation. That's why we employ the best and the brightest people. And we believe that every employee can make a difference here.

Creativity
We think the entrepreneurial approach stimulates creativity. It calls for new insights, new ways of looking at problems and opportunities, and a strong sense of urgency.

Diversity
Here we value diversity in people and thought. It's only by being able to recruit from a diverse pool of talent that we'll be able to maintain a truly outstanding workforce.

Customers
Our success is measured by the success of our customers. We are committed to meeting their needs with solutions that offer them a competitive advantage. And we work with them in ways that reinforce the benefits of a long-term partnership with us.

Environment
In everything we do, we operate safely and with concern for the environment. The way we do a job will affect how our children and our neighbors' children will live in the future. This is a responsibility we take seriously in all the different places around the world where we do business.

Change
We're changing the way our industry delivers and markets its products. We're even changing the way people think about our industry's products. So every time you read this, try something different. Change a goal. Change a habit. Change a mind.

Together
Together we're creating one of the leading companies in the world. Together, we are defining the company of the future.

Copyright Enron

Next issue: find out the two things that genuinely drive the creation and sharing of quality knowledge.

Gerry McGovern

Next issue: Knowledge management: money and ego
Previous issue: You are what you type
New Thinking homepage

University of Regina, Canada, selects Content Critical and The Web Content Style Guide as course material
January 14, 2002: Prof. Curt Schroeder, who teaches web design at the university, stated that, "Every serious webmaster, web designer, online editor, web developer or student-in-training will find these books will make them stop and critically think about their web design work. There is so much useful information here, and it's very readable. Content Critical and The Web Content Style Guide must become part of every professional's personal library. My students are now required to read these textbooks." More

New Thinking Newsletter
Subscribe to this free weekly newsletter covering the role and function of content on the Web.
More info | Privacy policy
Read the current issue

Email Address:

 Subscribe  Unsubscribe

Content Critical: Highly recommended
"Content Critical is highly recommended. It belongs in every design library. It should be on the reading list of every course in Web design. Any Web designer who plans to be in business five years from now should read this book." More
Ken Friedman, Design Research News, January 2002