Knowledge management classes, whether at the college level or otherwise, can offer great benefits to your company. As the Information Age surges forward, ever-increasing amounts of intellectual capital are generated and stored at our businesses.

Such informational abundance requires effective handling if our businesses are to thrive. Yet, we are often at a loss when it comes time to figure out where to begin the monumental task. There's no question that the challenge is great and calls for innovative methods and forward-looking ideas. So, where can we go to get knowledge management training and acquire those ideas?

Some of our options for training in knowledge management follow:

1. College residency degree programs;
2. Online knowledge management degrees or certificate programs;
3. Webcasts, podcasts, e-books and other methods of web-based learning;
4. Private coaches, trainers or mentors;
5. Seminars and workshops at remote locations.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider earning a college degree online by taking knowledge management courses

Different colleges offer various knowledge management courses of study online. These KM courses lead to knowledge management certification, continuing education credits or a Master's degree. (Some universities offer Doctorates, as well, though these can't generally be completed entirely online, since they have a residency requirement.)

I recommend: Walden University Online offers knowledge management degrees, and Kent State University features individual online KM courses, as well as knowledge management certification and degree programs.

Sign up for on-site knowledge management training or coaching for you and your staff

An expert in KM training, coaching or mentoring can visit your site and guide both you and your staff through the principles of knowledge management training, turning your company into an effective learning environment.

I recommend: Seth Kahan, knowledge management consultant and expert in KM training, offers on-site coaching. Systemic Solutions provides what it refers to as "systemic coaching" in knowledge management principles, as well other areas of study.

Make use of other online educational opportunities to further your training in knowledge management

You'll find numerous other resources available to contribute to your online knowledge management education. Some examples are articles, webcasts, e-books and more.

I recommend: BetterManagement.com provides webcasts that can function as knowledge management education and training for you. One, called Thinking for a Living, covers managing knowledge workers. The other is Master Data Management. Knowledge-Management-Online also provides various knowledge management education options on its website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Choose someone in your organization to be your knowledge management guru, and then provide this person with the appropriate knowledge management education and training. Place him or her in charge of keeping track of the intellectual resources of your company, and let this person be your informational clearinghouse, keeping you up to date on important issues that affect your business.