Knowledge is the current currency of the business world. And like any other currency, it needs to constantly circulate. Just like money should not stay in the bank, company knowledge should not be blocked in organisational structures.
Rich people know that having money is just the base of being rich; the way they spend it and invest it is the real trick that makes them successful. Likewise, being informed is not enough; information is abundant nowadays. Knowing what to do with it, company-wise, is the real difference between moving forward or staying in the same place – which in business terms actually means falling behind.
No matter how big a company is, nor how many years it’s been on the market, knowledgeable employees are the pixie dust that makes everything work. For a company that has one or two employees in each department, or for one where one employee juggles the work of three different departments each day, having knowledge circulate between people is crucial for success.
That’s why every small-business owner should build and sustain a knowledge-sharing culture in their organisation.
How to build a knowledge-sharing culture in your SME
Organisational culture is one of those things that nobody sees yet everyone feels. And act according to it. Those who want to change it have a really hard time. That’s why startups and small businesses have an upper hand: since they’ve just started their business journey, they can build the right culture from the very beginning.
Encouraging employees to share what they know can become an important part of that culture. Here are some tips on how to do that:
- Show, don’t tell. You know that people follow the leader, right? If you’re the leader and you are the first to share your industry knowledge to help others move forward with their tasks, everyone will notice your actions and be inspired to do the same.
- Rely on technology. There are so many options out there: Google Drive, Dropbox, Slack, SharePoint, Skype and even LMSs for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Try one or try them all. The point is to make it easy for everyone to share and access knowledge. Get everyone involved. Nothing says “your company values you” more than involving an employee in the creation of L&D materials. Encourage everyone to contribute to the creation of knowledge, but also interact with what other people are adding and consume content.
- Offer support. Technology is great, but face-to-face interaction is also a must. Develop supporting mechanisms so that everyone knows how to find the right answer or at least how to find the right person that could have the answer.
- Rinse and repeat. Test some actions, keep what works and make the necessary changes for improvement. And when you think you’re done, do it again. A healthy organisational culture requires continuous involvement and is always a work in progress.
Building a knowledge sharing culture is crucial for the success of SMEs. By setting an example, choosing the right tech tools, getting everyone involved, designing support mechanisms and always adapting the tactics, SME owners can create a strong one. When knowledge flows freely between people and between departments, companies big and small get better business outcomes.
Graham Glass, CEO, Cypher Learning
