Mathemagenic

Business 2.0: The management secrets of the brain [via elearningpost]

Your brain is the ultimate example of a complex, decentralized organization. And because we (usually) behave coherently, smoothly integrating new circumstances as they arise, the brain is also the epitome of an adaptive organization, a learning organization, a shared-vision organization -- in short, the ideal modern company.

Management rules we can learn from our brains:

• Never try to micromanage a large, complex organization
• Don't let bottom-up self-organization go wild
• The best way to control your subordinates is to just point them in the right direction
• Be careful listening to the voice of experience -- that voice could be your own
• The organization can't succeed without passion.

I would add one more parallel: <organisational> learning is about building networks. [I'll try to search for the good reference about this process in our brain].

What would be the  metaphor for KM?

Later:

So far I wasn't able to find the reference, but I know from somewhere in my studies that within the brain learning is about making connections.

The funny things is that I found something else: Brain-Based Learning article in The Encyclopedia of Educational Technology. And I loved this piece (bold is mine):

Like a symphony orchestra, the various parts of the brain are instruments that play collaboratively to provide meaningful learning. Learning is the music of the brain.

Recent SynapShots with Channeling Innovation link:
 

Channeling Innovation : By James L. Fahey; Published October 14, 2002 - "Despite its importance to business, innovation can be a confusing distraction. An effective process for managing innovation allows organizations to respond to markets while remaining focused on business objectives … Seven Steps for Channeling Innovation:
1. Clearly articulate business objectives and priorities
2. Include all the right people
3. Pick a leader and an administrator
4. Create a list of recommended innovations
5. Publish the list and give all participants access
6. Meet regularly with a clear objective
7. Stick to the lists
Although the process for channeling innovation appears somewhat elaborate, it is actually quite efficient and consumes relatively little human resource time.

[This is a follow-up of KM Summer School]

Hard work and a lot of e-mails of last two weeks had paid off: Special Interest Group on KM Research - Quaerere was created at Knowledge Board.

From Quaerere: goals and objectives

«Quaerere - Research and Action on the Learning Society - constructing meaning and knowledge through interaction»

Quaerere - from Latin (pronounced Kuerere), means to inquire, to search, to investigate and also to want.

Motto: "Truth emerges more readily from error than from confusion" (Originally from Francis Bacon, Novum Organum)

Purpose: to promote the building blocks of the Learning Society

Goal: Theory building and practice improvement on knowledge management and organisational learning through reflexive interaction

Objectives:

• To work on-line and to meet regularly face-to-face
• To develop peer support and personal commitment to research goals
• To report on the process while we go through our work and interaction
• To work in an interdisciplinary way
• To invite other researchers in Knowledge Management related areas