KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND THE PROFESSIONAL BODY:
Realising and releasing the value of knowledge resources in membership organisations

A summary of the joint seminar held by The Library Association and David Haynes Associates in London on 26 April 2001.

By Kim Horwood, Head of KM and Consultant at PTSC and Caroline Nolan, Information Executive at the LA

Knowledge management and the professional body, was a day seminar run in partnership by David Haynes Associates and the LA on 26^th April at the LA Headquarters.  Its aim was to provide participants with inspiration, know-how and reassurance to actively participate in knowledge management (KM) activities, by exposing them to the experiences and good practice of key practitioners in the field.  Developing and implementing a KM strategy cannot easily be achieved by one person working in isolation: it requires senior management support.  With this in mind, both information professionals and heads of professional and trade bodies were invited to attend.

The seminar was very ably chaired by Paul Corney, Director of Sopheon PLC.  Paul e-mailed delegates in advance to try to ensure that the event was tailored to meet their expectations.  Bob McKee (LA Chief Executive) gave a warm and relaxed welcome address.  His presence provided a clear endorsement of the LA's commitment to apply KM internally.  He outlined its importance for the new organisation following unification with the Institute of Information Scientists next year. His key aspiration for the new body is for it “to be the leading professional body for everyone who is in the business of access to knowledge”.

Like many of the 38 delegate organisations represented, the LA is a membership-driven organisation. It too has to face the question of how it can justify spending resources on internal improvements such as KM when its primary function is to provide services to its members.  However, we would say how can it afford not too when it has a responsibility to provide professional services and embody good practice?

Euan Semple (Head of KM, BBC) provided an inspiring key-note speech on his non-conformist methods of introducing KM to the organisation.  He is the KM Department and so often has had to side-step rigid management structures to make headway.  He advocates starting with local initiatives and using storytelling (the BBC's business) to share knowledge via the latest hi- and-low tech communication technologies available.

"Businesses which cannot engage in conversation [internally] will not succeed" (Cluetrain manifesto)

Diana Grimwood-Jones (Artemis Consulting) and David Haynes (David Haynes Associations) drew from case work in the legal sector to help focus our minds on the needs and realities of working in this sector.   Diana stressed that the right environment and culture must exist before knowledge sharing and management can work. David warned against a piecemeal approach to KM and advocated the need for a strategic KM policy that encompassed all. 

“Librarians can’t do it all but they are an essential element in the successful implementation of KM” – David Haynes

Before lunch the delegates were split into three workshops to discuss:

1. What are the benefits of KM to the membership organisation?
2. What are the roles (potential and current) for information staff in KM programmes?, and
3. How can we move the KM agenda forward in our respective organisations?

Delegates clearly enjoyed this opportunity to share their experiences and network but time pressures on the day cut this rather short. 

Mike Everson (Librarian, ttsp) charted his transformation of this commercial architectural company library into a Knowledge Centre at the hub of his organisation.  Using architectural images to illustrate his points, Mike's enthusiasm and perseverance proved infectious.  His creativity is inspired by the company business and he uses it to draw people in, for example using sample designer  materials and equipment as library furniture for staff to test in a working environment before recommending them to clients.

Another excellent speaker was Frank Ryan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. "KM is not rocket science"  Well, he should know as he used to be one!  Frank's presentation offered practical ways to empower the user.  He runs information literacy programmes; encourages and supports a knowledge-sharing culture and promotes trust. 

"Part of knowledge sharing is about being open yourself" - Frank Ryan

Given his background, it is not surprising that Frank is always pushing frontiers.  Driven by local needs he embraces all opportunities to expand horizons.  "Never say No" is his motto and he even provided models, reference books and websites to help us manage it all.  However, "You have to know when to step aside and let the IT and HR departments take over."

The speakers represented four very different approaches to KM, thereby guaranteeing there was something for everyone and this diversity made for a lively panel debate.  Answers to questions such as "How do I get started?" and "How do I convince the money men?" were provided by the panel.

From the information professional's viewpoint, the key learnings were that we all need to get involved – but we cannot work in isolation.  Our information management and retrieval strengths are key to justifying our involvement.  If you are leading your organisation's KM initiative, you need a vision, a strategic approach and senior management buy-in. We all need to promote and market ourselves to gain respect and trust from management and staff.  The harsh reality is that KM is hard work and subject to continual review.  Furthermore, no two organisations will ever be the same but one comforting factor is that there is no right way…  What is essential is that you must find out about and share what you know works in practice: and not just within your own sector but outside the library world too.

"Knowledge management is a journey not a destination" (Frank Ryan) and the LA have made a significant step along the road with this very stimulating and successful event.  What path will you take?

An after action review was conducted to identify key successes and lessons learned from running this event.  If you are planning to run a similar event, possibly on a smaller scale, or would just like to know more please contact Mark Field or Lyndsay Rees-Jones at the LA.

Useful resources