Product Description

Today, no one is, nor can be, an expert in everything. In every challenge, it is easy to feel that you don′t know enough to keep up with the accelerating pace of change inside our organisations, let alone the world outside. Start with the assumption that somebody somewhere has already done what you are trying to do. How can you find out whom, and learn from them? Learning to Fly shows exactly how to put knowledge management theory into practice, sharing the tools used and the experience and insights gained by two leading practitioners.

Completely updated for the second edition, Learning to Fly shares the authors’ experiences from BP and other leading knowledge organisations.and incorporates new material on implementation and best practice, including a CD–ROM with KM tools and exercises.

“Chris Collison and Geoff Parcell show how new ideas and tools are making working and learning inseparable.” Peter Senge.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #57314 in Books
• Published on: 2004-11-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 332 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Knowledge is power. In corporate terms knowledge means efficiency, productivity and ultimately profit, but too often it is not exploited to the full. Learning to Fly shows how organisations can take the knowledge within a company and turn it to a new advantage. It has been built from the real-world experiences of authors Chris Collison and Geoff Parcell during their time working for BP.

The book is divided into three parts. First the concept of knowledge management is introduced--if you've not come across it before, this section explains the principles. Part two describes how various techniques can be applied in order to share knowledge. The theory is fleshed out with real-world examples. Finally, part three takes a look at how knowledge management can be embedded within an organisation's everyday work rather than be simply applied as if an afterthought. The goal is to achieve a situation in which sharing knowledge is an everyday practice that does not need specialists to manage it. To this end, "Action Zones" encourage the reader to think about their own situation and ideas, and practical suggestions are offered. Learning to Fly puts the theory in place in order to explain how to use it in real-life working environments.--Sandra Vogel

Modern Management, August 2001
"the author makes a compelling case."

Review
"the authors and publishers have done and excellent job...this is a very good, practical book, and an excellent read."
(Knowledge Management, July 2001)

"the author makes a compelling case." (Modern Management, August 2001)

"...easily readable and practical introduction to the subject..." (Professional Marketing, November 2001)

Customer Reviews

Want to more about knowledge management? Read this book!
Collinson and Parcell have produced a book that is both informative and easy to read. It draws primarily on both their experiences of knowledge management with BP. However, the principles and applications contained within the text, are universal.

They provide a plethora of vital information that will allow the reader to improve the management of knowledge on a personal level, and within the Company for whom they work. The book has opened my eyes to possibilities never before imagined and has improved the way I do business on a day to day basis.

I thoroughly recommend this book to any reader who has the aspiration to deliver "best in class" results and the retention and use of that most vital of business resources, knowledge!

Beyond KM theory
Beyond the theory - here's 'the' hands-on guide to making KM work for real. As a practitioner of KM, I recognise and appreciate many of the initiatives and projects the authors successfully introduced and gained adoption of throughout BP. It's also refreshing to read that they had learning points to review too. This book illustrates how to achieve the ultimate goal - making KM part of the way to do business. KM is, after all, just good management, it shouldn't be regarded as an add-on, something extra to do. I recommend this book unreservedly to all who are engaged in KM activity - from those new to the field to those who (like me) want to make sure that they're doing the right things!

Great book on KM and especially After Action Reviews.
This must be one of the best books on KM I've seen for a long time. What I love about it - is its lack of focus on technology. Yes - BP are using technology in a big way - but it is just the enabler. The book focuses on the people side - building learning into an organization and on the concepts of the After-Action Review (AAR) - 'Learn Before', 'Learn During' and 'Learn After'.