The key to survival success in a knowledge-intensive industry is the knowledge carried around by the people in the organization. Granted, this would be true more for a consulting firm, and less for one which deals with only business research. Yet, this could be the differentiating factor between success and breakthrough for KPO firms in the long run. And perhaps most players in this business are not focusing on the knowledge development aspect as much as they should. Firms tackle this issue by making focused groups, but that is more of an exercise to ease operations than with the intent of providing an environment to learn. These companies now need to provide its people with the freedom, opportunity and encouragement to learn and gather knowledge in these focused environments.
Take Google’s case [via Chad at Infoworld]:
Quite simply, the Google philosophy can be expressed in five general principles: Work on things that matter, affect everyone in the world, solve problems with algorithms if possible, hire bright people and give them lots of freedom, and don’t be afraid to try new things. As a general practice, Google also requires that its engineers spend 20 percent of their time working on personal technology projects unrelated to their primary projects.Google Suggest was one such project. And if I am not wrong Google Maps was one 20% too. But can the Google 20% time principle be applied in this context? The answer is a big no. With the rate of growth of the KPO industry, that’s a bit too high. But, maybe we can manage a 90-10 principle. Devoting 10 percent of one’s time to a project of related personal interest sounds good and essential. I’d rather go on to say that this is the need of the hour.
I am going to recommend this to my firm.
~ Ankur.
