KM Experts Respond: How Do You Combat Knowledge Silos and Knowledge Hoarders?
Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2025 10:11 am
Knowledge silos and knowledge hoarders are two of the biggest roadblocks that prevent employees from engaging in KM. Silos emerge when one part of the business—such as a team or business unit—doesn’t share knowledge with others. Knowledge hoarding is when an individual employee doesn’t share knowledge. There’s a myriad of reasons that these behaviors emerge, but they always create problems. So, APQC asked a roundtable of KM experts about the best ways to combat knowledge silos and knowledge hoarding. These KM experts will be speaking at APQC’s Knowledge Management Conference, April 29 – May 3, 2019.
Natasha Levanti, Global Leadership and Engagement at Arup Group (@NatashaLevanti)
Diego Alvarado, Process Optimization Manager at Corporación Multi Inversiones
Theresa Decker, Technical Content Coordinator at Samaritan’s Purse International Relief
Mary Maida, Knowledge Solutions Consultant and Community panama mobile numbers list Manager at Medtronic, Inc. (@MaryMaida)
Knowledge silos can prevent KM from becoming a natural part of work. What’s the best silo-busting technique you’ve encountered?
Natasha Levanti: The digital age has been fundamental to breaking the barriers to knowledge sharing. However, digital tools and knowledge sharing platforms need to “fit" and be practical for users. There are three elements necessary to break knowledge silos within a global organization.
Digital accessibility must not be limited by geography or discipline.
Knowledge sharing platforms must be a “safe place” to share and discuss.
Users must be able to engage in knowledge exchanges that are relevant to their current work as well as related areas of interest.
Natasha Levanti, Global Leadership and Engagement at Arup Group (@NatashaLevanti)
Diego Alvarado, Process Optimization Manager at Corporación Multi Inversiones
Theresa Decker, Technical Content Coordinator at Samaritan’s Purse International Relief
Mary Maida, Knowledge Solutions Consultant and Community panama mobile numbers list Manager at Medtronic, Inc. (@MaryMaida)
Knowledge silos can prevent KM from becoming a natural part of work. What’s the best silo-busting technique you’ve encountered?
Natasha Levanti: The digital age has been fundamental to breaking the barriers to knowledge sharing. However, digital tools and knowledge sharing platforms need to “fit" and be practical for users. There are three elements necessary to break knowledge silos within a global organization.
Digital accessibility must not be limited by geography or discipline.
Knowledge sharing platforms must be a “safe place” to share and discuss.
Users must be able to engage in knowledge exchanges that are relevant to their current work as well as related areas of interest.