Johannesburg, 04 May 2015
It is often said that it is essential to create a culture of knowledge-sharing as part of a knowledge and skills management initiative. This is most important in an ever-evolving and changing IT environment.
An individualistic and isolated knowledge management programme looked after by a privileged few is a paradox in itself and will not survive for long. It is only through effective collaboration and communication, which spans across the whole organisational structure, will knowledge management be given the necessary boost, says Kwanda Phiri, GM of iMbasa IT.
Knowledge-sharing can be described as an activity through which valuable information, including but not limited to processes, formulas, ingredients and so forth, is exchanged among colleagues, friends, family, communities.
It is so common, particularly in the IT industry, to find highly valuable individuals with specialist work experience and skills peculiar to an area of specialisation, which is not necessarily written down somewhere and has been acquired through practice, and in some instances, through trial and error over time. Just about every company or organisation has such individuals that possess valuable skills and information which can only be shared through on-the-job training and mentorship. In fact, organisations need to create a proper platform for knowledge-sharing, including but not limited to training on specific critical areas of specialty.
More often than not, certain individuals are selfless and more than ready to share their knowledge by imparting critical skills at any given moment, without even expecting any income. They do so proudly, with the knowledge that it is in the interest of the organisation and staff, that they should do so. They don't feel threatened by the young and ambitious apprentices because they are highly knowledgeable and confident with their skills, on the one hand. There are also those individuals who are not willing to share their skills, possibly due to fears that their employment might be insecure in the event other individuals learn to do their specialist work.
iMbasa IT believes companies should inculcate and build a culture of knowledge-sharing. Knowledge-sharing is even more important in an IT environment due to the rapid change of information in the IT space. Mentorship and knowledge polarisation need to take place. In order to enrich a company's culture of knowledge-sharing, change must start at the individual, from leadership to support staff.
Employees have a sphere of influence, along with their own individual knowledge, and iMbasa IT believes a knowledge-sharing culture can begin at that level. Junior staff can be given training in various areas of specialty, where possible, in order to allow for polarisation of specialist and critical skills. The company is of the view that this may enable businesses to run uninterrupted, even in instances where senior specialists are not available at work due to sickness, resignation or some other reason.
It is always a great idea for senior or even other skilled staff members to give mentorship time to fellow staff members, and in particular, aspiring apprentices. The culture of knowledge-sharing is extremely important for organisations to run smoothly, even in instances where there is change or some other necessary or forced transition.
Companies, and in particular, large companies, could even give incentives for employees who share their specialist skills and knowledge with others. Or give them a reward in order to recognise and encourage the knowledge-sharing culture. At the end of the day, iMbasa IT believes this will benefit the company to have a few people knowledgeable in certain specialist areas.
iMbasa IT applauds companies that don't hesitate to employ apprentices in various training programmes. The company's experience has been that knowledge-sharing brings about individual growth even to highly skilled people.
"I recall that when I started my IT career, I was one of those people who wanted to learn everything that there is to learn. I learnt so many things from my willing and able seniors in the applications we were using at the time and I thought that I knew it all. But then I realised that the world, in particular the IT world around me, was changing so rapidly. There were talks that some of my expert skills would soon be outdated in a few years. I suddenly realised I needed to keep up to speed and continuously learn new things as well. This is a continuous cycle, as we never stop learning," says Phiri.
iMbasa IT believes the teacher is always ahead of the pack, sharing valuable skills and experiences along the way. Knowledge-sharing also gives the one who shares their knowledge a chance to learn new things while the person they have taught continues to do the job.
Of course, there must also be a drive and willingness on the receiving end; open their minds and push themselves to learn a little more.
iMbasa IT say: "Knowledge is power," and sharing will not only change other people's lives, but yours too.
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