If you own a company in the knowledge management industry, you would do well to partner with knowledge management associations to strengthen your business expertise and credibility. Industry organizations bring together professionals with similar goals and challenges. Members of industry organizations come from all company divisions, but all share the same objective of expanding their knowledge.

Becoming a member of the right organization opens the door to a wealth of expertise. You will be exposed to many networking opportunities, information and resources. Additionally, knowledge management industry associations may also provide invaluable services that include new products, education opportunities and industry support. When looking for membership with a knowledge management working group, remember the following:

1. Make sure the association you're interested in is credible. Check Better Business Bureau or other industry accreditations.

2. Most organizations charge fees for memberships, so make sure you're getting your money's worth before you pay.

3. Many knowledge management professional organizations don't stipulate membership for certification.

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

Become a member of an accredited knowledge management group

Although many organizations offer information, tools and resources to non-members, you can benefit substantially from becoming a member. Membership opens the door to additional services, products and representation. Register as a business rather than as just an individual, if possible, so your employees can benefit from the membership.

I recommend: The Association of Knowledgework provides its members with a discussion forum, networking opportunities and representation. APQC's membership benefits include access to research findings and a metric database, as well as a consortium of benchmarking studies

Join professional knowledge management organizations that offer events and conference updates

Events and conferences are a boon to any business. They give you an opportunity to network and share issues with industry peers. More importantly, they give your company exposure within the industry, and provide you an opportunity to further your relationships with other businesses. Try and pick organizations with nationally-recognized events.

I recommend: The National Knowledge & Intellectual Property Management Taskforce and the Knowledge and Innovation Network both offer an events calendar for educational and networking opportunities.

Take advantage of industry training and certification opportunities provided by knowledge mgmt assns

Progress stops for no one, and you need to advance as a professional by keeping your industry skills sharp and current. Take advantage of educational programs and tools to assist you and your employees in knowledge development and career advancement. Many organizations offer information on upcoming seminars, conferences, business development courses and other industry-related programs, in addition to industry certifications.

I recommend: The Knowledge Management Consortium International offers three market-leading certificate programs. It also offers in-house and custom educational programs for your convenience. The Knowledge Management Professional Society (KMPro) presents a selection of performance-based knowledge management certification programs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're considering a knowledge management organization for its online resources, look for one with a current forum where you can discuss issues with industry experts in real time.