1
Getting employees to share their knowledge isnt
as simple as installing new software Just ask
Buckman Labs

• Wall Street Journal June 21, 1999
• Author Scott Thurm

2
Discussion Groups

• Getting answers
• Responses have been produced
• Are they all true?
• Will you share information?

3
Starting a Revolution

• Empowering the field staff to communicate with
  one another rather than routing all information
  through outside managers (Memphis)
• Getting employees to write out what is in their
  head is not easy
• Ordered employees to ask questions, and share
  answers

4
Cultural Divide

• Employees dont want to sound stupid.
• Network has proven to work It ignores rank,
  ignores department barriers, and ignores country
  barriers.
• Buckman ,CEO of Manistique Paper Inc. credits the
  network to the success of his company.
• Profits have been steadily growing since the
  company decided to follow through with the
  network.

5
Things to take home

• Decide on a plan and stick to it, even if it is
  not working at the beginning
• Its not a project, its a Journey
• Mr. Buckman