Jointly organized by the KMIRC and KMP, the event "KM in Action - the Reality" was successfully held on 20 May 2017 at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
KF Cheng, Leader of the Provisional Executive Committee of KMP, has shared his experience in KM while he was absent. There were 5 main points he addressed and wanted to share with all KM practitioners.
5 Main Points for the KM Practitioners
- Knowledge Management is also Change Management
- All the purpose of KM and learning are driving change in people
- Success in KM always result in a sustainable change
- Change management is probably the most difficult element in KM
- How Learning will result in Actions
- Learning does not always brings results or actions
- Result with results and actions is actually change management as mentioned
- It is extremely difficult to drive change, drive actions
- Why and for what people will take actions become the key concern
- Inside-out & outside-in
- Domain knowledge, knowledge in business, in organization, in the market, and in the industry are very valuable knowledge which is difficult to acquire. This is the domain expert knowledge.
- For the KM graduates, they are already the inside-out knowledge expert in their organization, and they already understand KM. There are already good opportunities in their hands to practice KM. It is just a matter of actions.
- Knowledge of the Future
- A good example as a KM strategy, which is also a good business strategy.
- A good strategy address the real needs of the organization.
- Good KM strategies align with business strategies.
- Forget KM, Unlearn KM
- When KM strategy aligns with business strategy, there is no more KM strategy. It is a strategy addressing the need of business and the need of the organization.
- When KM strategy combines with business strategy, there is no need for a separate KM strategy. Therefore, unlearn KM.
- What that is more important is, what you believe. Your belief becomes the best reason for your ideas.
- Design, plan and execute for success. Small but successful steps are important, because it builds confidence and trust, to you and to people who are influenced by you.
Zero-Budget KM
KF is of the opinion that this is the wrong question to address. If KM Practitioners understand the above 5 main points, there is no more KM. It's all business. Whenever there are good ideas, it is a matter of whether we believe in the ideas or not. Not because whether it is KM or not.
When we have an idea or initiative, it is more important to ask ourselves:
- Is it the right thing to do for the organization, and is it the right time?
- Is there anything wrong with the idea? What would the management and other stakeholders think? Will they agree? Why and why not?
- What will be the value to the organization and to the business with such an idea?
Good luck to all KM Practitioners. We hope to continue learning from each other.
