Date: Sun, 09 Jun 2002 08:10:24 -0700
Mr. Rod Welch
rowelch@attglobal.net
The Welch Company
440 Davis Court #1602
San Francisco, CA 94111 2496
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| Subject: | KM Cluster Taking Notice of Progress |
Rod,
Thanks again for your message and interaction.
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It is challenging to understand and position "SDS, Com Metrics, POIMS or
NWO." Can't seem to gather enough from your homepage and there really is no
place to turn for a succinct and objective statement of purpose. Without a
search function, white paper, value proposition and other basic support
mechanisms, it impossible to make sense of what the offering is all about.
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For example, the attached graphic is one tool used to inventory this space.
The offerings listed on this particular exhibit are only those that have had
a modicum or more of commercial visibility. There exists hundreds more in
the open-source space. Add to that the start-up activities of the last few
years, grad-school theses, govt subsystems and reseller developments, and
there are hundreds and hundreds more. Not to mention the process consultants
and their vast offerings of techniques, methods and related dogma.
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(If you could comment on where you believe "SDS, Com Metrics, POIMS or
NWO" fit on this proven template, it would be good step.)
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Sadly, the progenitors often make lofty and hubristic claims about their
offerings. It seems to go with the territory. It compromises the holistic
and balanced efforts need to propel real progress and create lasting value.
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Exalted, one-size-fits-all claims are tantamount to an obituary in this
space.
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To wit, "This record suggests that where a new way of working is discovered
that lifts the capacity to think, remember and communicate, then
failing to pass along good news of this new practice out of
exaggerated concern about diversity is to elevate form over
substance."
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'Guess we can agree to disagree. Every single supplier on the attached
inventory could publish and probably has published the same eyewash. In
reality, adaptability and survivability require being a part of the
thriving, diverse KM ecosystem.
"It distorts the purpose of diversity to discover something useful, rather
than merely engage in endless search."
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Ah, er, I don't think so. For example, heterophilious links of low proximity
are central to the diffusion of innovation. Diffusion and assimilation is
also a highly counter-intuitive process. Operating in an increasingly
diverse environment extends and expands your possibility of survival and
prosperity. It is incontrovertible.
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Now, if your emphasis is on the narrow-band vertical application of
management decision support, then that is great. If you have arrived at some
technical gadgetry and process that advances this limited but important KM
discipline, then it could be a real contribution. It is important to
continually refocus the context, refine the message and restate the purpose,
in order to contribute to the overall viability of the ecosystem.
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Another grave pathology in this space is the white-hot focus on "...things
that save time and money..." Skilled practioners understand that it is
strictly not an efficiency play, never was, never will be. That's what led
to most all of the gruesome train wrecks. It is much more oriented towards
effectiveness, productivity growth (innovation), value, agility,
relationship, conversation, collaboration and community. Metrics have value
only insofar as they enable and shepherd change, that's all.
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Thus, requisite diversity is the only approach to progress and advancement.
This is not at the expense or detriment of any one species, but is in
service to the solution ecology.
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I have not cced: David or Patrick, because I have never met these people,
online or otherwise. To me it is unfair to blindside opinion leaders out of
context or w/o an existing relationship. Jack I know from unrev/ohs (lucky
you!).
By coincidence, I will be working with Snowden tomorrow and Tuesday at this
executive retreat.
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The Agenda is attached.
Cheers,
John
John Maloney
www.kmcluster.com
Email: jtmalone@pacbell.net
Tel: 415.902.9676
IM:jheuristic
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http://www.kmcluster.com/register.htm
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