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Chris Maxcer

Guide to Knowledge Management and Data Sharing

Maintaining a competitive edge means saving and sharing key ideas and information

By Chris Maxcer, Freelance Writer

In every business big enough to have partners or employees, each person knows a little something that colleagues do not. To succeed in the long term, businesses must properly manage this wisdom. To do this properly, you'll need a successful knowledge management system, so:
  1. Start small.
  2. Identify a specific goal employees can relate to.
  3. Create a method for capturing knowledge data.
  4. Create a method for transferring knowledge data.
To start, ask employees to focus on something tangible, which will help them share their knowledge. Capture that knowledge via email discussions, collaboration knowledge management systems (sometimes called "knowledge networks") or document repositories. Then, set up a method to allow your employees to access the data or learn the lessons. There are software solutions that can help, but don't be afraid to innovate based on your own business culture.

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


Increase your understanding of knowledge management

Knowledge management is a huge topic with many branches that may or may not fit your organization. Before you invest in expensive solutions, extra research may be in order.
I recommend: Start by browsing through CIO's Knowledge Management Resource Center, destinationKM.com, My X Finder's Knowledge Management Guide, The Knowledge Management Resource Center and elsua: The Knowledge Management Blog.  Another good place to start is Business.com's general knowledge management page.

Create a knowledge repository

You need a place to store data. It can be as simple as a centralized file storage location on your server or a dedicated knowledge software application. Knowledge management case studies can be very instructive.
I recommend: Check out Intuit's QuickBase or KMWorld Buyers Guide and Capterra's Knowledge Management Software Directory for more comprehensive, and sometimes expensive, solutions.  Business.com maintains a  consistently updated list of knowledge management software vendors.

Create collaborative knowledge networks

An online or software-based knowledge management system can help you share knowledge and store best-practices documents and data.
I recommend: Check out KMWorld Buyers Guide and Capterra's Knowledge Management Software Directory for the most robust solutions. A simple option is a wiki-based solution, such as Atlassian's Confluence.  Business.com lists providers of groupware software.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • Encourage your employees to tell stories about how their ideas and experiences worked – it's a good way to elicit good ideas, and stories usually provide a context to the knowledge that helps others learn.
  • There are many options out there – consider hiring an IT consultant to install or help you learn to use the solutions.

The official source of Knowledge Management and Data Sharing is
the Knowledge Management page at Business.com

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Related Resources

Recommended Solution Providers

Knowledge Base: Knowledge Management Solutions
Provide consistent and relevant information to customers, partners, vendors, and employees.

Blackberry: Small Business Solutions
Stay in touch with employees and organize and share all the data and knowledge your need for your small business.

QuickBase: No Sweat Data Sharing
Helps your business organize and share everyday information such as client lists, sales numbers, and document drafts.

KM Software: Bring Business Together
Develops and markets intelligent, second generation software products and related services in the knowledge management market.

ATG: Knowledge Management Software
Provides knowledge management software solutions that help companies define, meet, and exceed the productivity and goals of their contact centers, help desks, and web self-service environments.

MDY: Manage, Find, Comply
Develops and integrates enterprise document and knowledge management solutions.

WizSoft: Data and Text Mining
Develops software based on mathematical algorithms, mainly for the business sector in the following fields: data mining, data auditing, concept-based text search engines, and knowledge management.

Destination Knowledge Management
News, features, and resources for knowledge management.

Best Sites to Learn More

IT Toolbox: Knowledge Management
Links to articles, definitions, blogs, news and other resources so your small business can have the right knowledge management tools.

Knowledge Management Guide
Background, features, and advice for knowledge management.

Darwin Mag: Knowledge Management
Read a complete introduction to knowledge management along with tips and advice to get your small business on the right track.

Knowledge Management Resource Center: KM Listings
Comprehensive directory covering all elements of knowledge management software, systems, tools and best practices.

Management First: Knowledge Management
Find knowledge management resources, articles, interviews, reviews, journals, journal collections.

Knowledge Management Advantage: Power Through Knowledge
Learn about knowledge management through links, articles, and an overview.

KM World
Includes vendors offering real solutions to knowledge management dilemmas.

Knowledge Management Resource Center: Making the Most of Corporate Intellect
Find resources about knowledge management, including tips and advice on strategy, technology and news.

Best Blogs and Forums

Brint: Global Knowledge Exchange
Discussion forum including knowledge management topics.

IT Toolbox: Knowledge Management Blogs
Browse through a collection of blogs all related to issues involving knowledge management.

KM Blog
Weekly blog focused on books, links, and answers to questions on knowledge management.



FEATURED LISTINGS
HP Technology at Work - Enterprise Knowledge Management
Customize a free monthly HP eNewsletter according to your interests. Receive product and driver updates, promotions, news about technology and more!
www.your.HP.com/Enterpirse_Business
Knowledge Management
Get a Free Datasheet From a Leading Knowledge Management Company & Integrate Learning, Compliance, Performance, Compensation and Succession.
www.cornerstoneondemand.com
Knowledge Base Software
Knowledge Base Software Used by Top Universities & Fortune 100 Companies. Try a Demo!
www.Interspire.com
Knowledge Management Software Directory
Compare knowledge management software using Capterra's free, comprehensive directory.
Capterra.com
Knowledge Management Resources
Find Knowledge Management. Search listings and reviews of retailers, specialists and services in your local area now.
JustClickLocal.com
IBM LotusLive Engage
Discover IBM's Integrated Suite of Online Collaboration Tools for Meetings, Web Conferencing, Sharing & More. Get the No Cost Trial.
www.LotusLive.com

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