Sourcing Knowledge - Part 3
In the search for knowledge and wisdom, I regularly consult the CMCE Excellence Hub, as a source for current management consultant thinking and discussion.
Recent wisdom within the hub, emphasises that we are aware and constantly reviewing the use of AI within the profession and client organisations.
In tandem, reports from Davos 2025 indicated that the term “knowledge” required serious review due to advancing AI. An “epistemological crisis” apparently.
Subsequently, I returned to the early advice of my knowledge management guru, Karl Erik Sveiby, Professor Emeritus at Hanken Business School in Helsinki, who emphasised the difference between knowledge, in terms of information and know-how, in terms of application.
Considering the perspective of know-how, in addition to the knowledge within CMCE and WCoMC, as a regular business networker, I am very aware of the fact that I gain more know-how from the sociable conversations over breakfast, coffee, lunch and dinner. In recent sociable conversations, I have learned about the value of ADHD in business, the application of nature and nurture in terms of personality types and the true cost of running an SME.
Additionally, I found this common thread in the current views of RSA CEO, Andy Haldane, on the subject of social value and capital, as a factor that “boosts growth by unlocking opportunity”.
In a recent FT article, https://www.ft.com/andy-haldane Andy refers to the Robert Putman book “Bowling Alone”, which shares the view that the loss of social capital equates to “an erosion of the social networks of trust and relationships and the fraying of social fabric” and the way communities become unstuck. The article also provides evidence from a macroeconomic perspective of the links between social capital and economic growth.
Another aspect of intangible growth and capital is provided in the recent evidence from our charity sector colleagues and their publications. An example from Citizens Advice informs: “the value of volunteering at Citizens Advice for 23/24 is at least £100 million. We saved government and public services £759 million. We estimate our total social and economic value to society to be £5.7bn”
On reflection, I am reading again the Jonathan Haskel and Stian Westlake book, ‘Capitalism without Capital - The Rise of the Intangible Economy’.
Nanette Young FCIPS FIC FRSA, Liveryman, Worshipful Company of Managements Consultants
