Institutional Knowledge: Goldmine or Minefield?
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM CT
Speaker(s): Diane Kucera, Director, Constituent Records and Gift Administration, Southern Methodist University
Competencies: Strategic ThinkingIndustry or Sector Expertise
Experience Level: All Levels
Elective Session
While rich institutional knowledge and experience can be invaluable and provide priceless insights into an organization's history, culture, and procedures, it also presents challenges. New employees often discover that there are many unwritten rules (highlighting the importance of documentation), historical details, and old practices, which can be confusing. Additionally, institutional knowledge is often associated with sticking too rigidly to old ways, which can block new ideas. It’s important to find a balance between preserving valuable old knowledge and welcoming new ideas to help the team improve its overall efficiency and effectiveness.