The popular saying, “Our employees are our biggest asset,” reflects not just the elbow grease workers put in on the job, but the knowledge they bring to work every day. Encourage them to share what they know so everyone can benefit from their experience and expertise.
Remember that knowledge-sharing is personal. Employees may feel a sense of ownership about what they’ve learned, and they may be reluctant to share it with everyone.
Here are some strategies for prompting them to open up:
- Ask top performers to share their knowledge. Set up regular “workshops” for employees. Ask one employee to talk about his or her particular area of expertise—customer service, for example, or managing data. People who excel in particular areas usually enjoy describing their own approach and fielding any questions.
- Assign teams to consult with one another. Set up a system that allows one team working on a project to call upon another team that has had previous experience with the same type of project. Encourage the teams to meet face to face for a day or two to work through the challenges facing the less experienced group. That way, those who are called upon to help feel honored at lending their expertise.
- Reward knowledge-sharers. Build in an incentive—pay or comp time—for people to share their experience and knowledge with their colleagues.
[Article first appeared in the September 2010 issue of Family Times published each month by Play-a-Round Golf. To get your copy mailed to each month packed with informative and fun articles and coupons, just send your mailing address to starter@playaroundgolf.net.]
