Harnessing internal knowledge...

Assalamualaikum wrt wbt.....

Dear all....

In organization, that exists for so many years, accumulates and operates in big scope.....and all of a sudden, you are tasked to identify, collect, generate or create internal knowledge, within organization, regardless of form and sources or types, be it tacit and explicit knowledge.....where would you begin? Where would you start? How to go about it?

Maybe the organization that you worked with, is not that old, it is just started a few years back, have small operations, with few people, and you are tasked with similar things....where and how would you go about it?

The answer could be varied.....but to me, if I am tasked with, I would rather start with something documented, recorded, and within reach, because I don't know what exist already, therefore I need to know that earlier so that the CONTEXT by which event and things occurred could be derived.....however, my problem is to find those hard facts, events and history, achievement and successes, understanding transactions and its relevancy with the current operation of the agency that I work today....

How could I find those information and documented reports if those records are not managed properly from the very beginning? And more so when half of its existence, the reports and all critical documentations exist digitally, never been printed, kept in isolation in everyone's desktop computers and servers in the organization....it is there, but it is all scattered. Just imagine that now, your tasks are complicated by the current situation, while in the beginning it is a straight forward task of identifying, collecting and finding internal knowledge within your organization valued so much....now it has gone beyond that. You have to search, classify, arrange, collect, identify, appraise and many other activities just in order to start with your primary tasks....

When records are not managed from the very beginning, the beginning of its creation, and this is what could happen to you similarly. In the very beginning, things look simple and manageable because physically transaction does not occur that frequent and records are not created that much....later, when operations and transactions hike up, the focus has shifted towards completing the transactions, while records remain neglected. Later on, things become out of control......the heat is on then!

Just imagine...we need to harness internal knowledge but we have to dig down dip and to start other things first before we can do our first tasks........harnessing internal knowledge! Just think again, who is supposed to handle such things? You, me, they are.....do they have necessary skills and knowledge to do? Records professionals are very much needed to manage records in organization from the very beginning......it is cumbersome to call upon records professionals and seek their help when your records have already scattered around, messed up and here wire.....hence, dear all, please start early, please start from the very beginning....don't wait!


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Love history...love records!

Dear all..

It comes across in my late discussion with my colleague with regard to the current trend and issues of records management Malaysia with Mr. Irwan Abd Kadir that a good record officer or archivist, in whatever level they are; managerial, operational, executive level, must have some sense of or love for history as this would really help them in their thinking and thought which would shape their perception and opinion on the value of records they are holding or managing in their organization.

A good historical background or love for history at whatever level commands a good sense of judging the value of records, keeping interest alive on the records and value of records to organization. It also helps in the culmination of job satisfaction at high level towards records related jobs. Otherwise, one feels demotivated in dealing with records after sometimes. This is one of the factor that ties up oneself with his current job in records related scope.

Similarly, the same goes to teaching, if one teaches just for the sake of getting a job or securing a job, getting monthly pay....in the long run one would not last longer as compared to one who loves teaching and coaching others in the dissemination of knowledge. One who have 'flair' of teaching would have an added advantage in which he or she would be able to deliver the subject matter efficiently and effectively to his/her students....the same case also can be referred to the records related jobs. If there is no interest, no deep interest in the heart and love for records, one surely would not last longer in the job! Employer must be able to seek and identify such talents in their prospective employees before employing their candidates to records related jobs.

Best of luck records professionals! Love what your are doing now...you would surely be better later!