Knowledge Maintenance: Gaining Employee Buy-In

They’re going to leave. Pick their brains first.

By Steven E. Sacks

I’ve discussed the importance of collecting and storing institutional knowledge in the event of employee illness, resignation, relocation and acquisition. Not to be overlooked is to have the support of your employees to make this endeavor successful.

MORE: Why Knowledge Maintenance Is Key | Set Your Staff on the Right Course | How Motivation Is Like Bathing | Be a Talent Magnet | Make CRAP a Badge of Honor | The Job Interview: A Make or Break Proposition | 10 Elements to Balancing Shareholders’ Needs
Exclusively for PRO Members. Log in here or upgrade to PRO today.

Employees will want to know how it will personally benefit them, because after all, this is another function you have assigned them. You need a deft touch in explaining that documenting their experience and knowledge is not a “chore,” it is an integral component for preventing disruptions to operations during times of change – both anticipated and unanticipated.

Posted on February 1, 2020

Steven Sacks

About the Author

Steven Sacks, CPA, CGMA, ABC, has been at the forefront of the accounting profession for 30 years.

He is the author of
"The NEW Fundamentals: Practical Guidance for Today’s Accounting Firms,"
available here from CPA Trendlines.

Buy now | Learn More

Click here for more by Steven Sacks

His involvement included the development of the first set of consulting standards, the creation of the Accredited in Business Valuation credential, the publication of practice management guides and award-winning newsletters, and addressing business development and organizational management in both the public and private sectors. He has served professional service firms and membership associations through the deliverance of leading-edge conferences, presented to colleges and universities on careers in accounting, and created workshops, webinars, and webcasts on a variety of accounting and consulting topics.

As the CEO and founder of Solutions to Results LLC, Steven assists professional service firms and organizations to solve the challenges of human capital development, workplace culture, and developing effective internal and external communication strategies and techniques. Previously, as executive director of Moore Stephens North America, he served CPA firms with conferences, webinars, workshops, various communication vehicles (including a multi-year, award-winning association newsletter), and a skills database for the development of domestic and international engagement referrals. At the AICPA, he developed strategies and business plans for growing the consulting services membership section; published technical service and practice management guides; participated in the creation of the first set of standards for consulting services; led the creation of the Accredited in Business Valuation credential; developed niche conferences in valuation, litigation support and forensic services; and presented to colleges and universities about CPA consulting careers.

Click here for more by Steven Sacks

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Continue reading your article with a CPA Trendlines Pro membership.