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- How hot is knowledge management nowadays?
- How realistic is a Zero Space company?
- You are leaving KPMG to start your own company?
- What kind of companies have you worked for?
- What is your role at Universiteit Nyenrode?
- Are you involved in other universities abroad?
- Why are your books translated in so many languages?
- What is your favorite book you wrote?
- What is your favorite book you read?
1 How hot is knowledge management nowadays?
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Although it doesn’t seem this way at first glance, knowledge management today is as hot as it was two years ago. However, not as a separate staff function, nor as an IT driven way to capture existing knowledge in organizations. And neither as an HR-driven approach to creating learning organizations. Modern KM is entirely focused on realizing a measurably higher level of performance of companies as a whole, by creating a new working environment for people in which they can re-use existing knowledge to become more efficient themselves and to create new knowledge for the benefit of themselves and others, by means of knowledge sharing. Here a "knowledge flow" approach forms the key to success, supported -but not dominated- by a host of relevant IT-tools. Modern KM also focuses on redesigning (parts of) organizations, to support the effective use of knowledge, without the need of a traditional re-organization, as this is generally seen as threatening to an individual's position and performance.
2 How realistic is a Zero Space company?
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Companies will never be full Zero Space Companies, nor should they be. The "Zero Space" concept offers a clean cut methodology to analyze and assess where a company stands with regard to a number of trends and developments in the modern organization and management of companies. Much the same way as Peters and Waterman introduced their "In search of Excellence" methodology to help companies become more successful in the early 80's of the last century, this methodology helps companies thrive in the turbulent worldwide economy of today, by making full use of state of the art Information technology.
It is particularly ICT that offers a huge potential to companies to become less industrialized in their organization and management approach, while at the same time increasing productivity and effectiveness. Lesser performance of companies has nowadays little to do with the ailing worldwide economy, and all to do with old fashioned organization and management practices and the far from optimal use by companies of existing IT-solutions. Not more IT is necessary, but the better use of IT, by introducing new ways of organizing and of working.
3 You are leaving KPMG to start your own company?
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As of January 1st 2004, I shall be starting a boardroom consultancy organization aimed at increasing the performance of modern organizations, by introducing new ways of organizing, managing and working and by solving complex organizational and managerial problems. I will be doing so in close association with a number of colleagues, who have equal -proven- experience in the running and renewing of organizations. My own experience is based on 25 years in business, both as managing director of (knowledge intensive) companies and as an international consultant, specialist in a wide variety of boardroom issues, all related to the need for a clear and measurable boost in overall company performance.
4 What kind of companies have you worked for?
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I have worked as a senior executive for an internationally operating company in the packaging industry, both in England, the Netherlands and in 15 other countries, have been an (internal) advisor for the Dutch Ministry of Defense and a senior project manager for the training centre of the Dutch Confederation of Industries and have been chairman of KPMG's International Knowledge Advisory Group for 8 years. You will find my resume on this site, to give you more detailed information, also on my publications. These span a period of almost 30 years and cover a wide range of issues in (international) business management.
5 What is your role at Universiteit Nyenrode?
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Nyenrode is the leading Dutch International business School, based in the Netherlands and consistently ranked among the top 10 business schools in Europe. Within Nyenrode I am chairman of the Centre for Human Resources, Organization and Management Effectiveness (CHROME), that deals with all research and teaching with regard to the relationship between people, organization, technology and performance. The Centre consists of 6 professors and a number of support staff, all with a high degree of theoretical and practical experience and a proven track record in (international) science and business.
6 Are you involved in other universities abroad?
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I am since 8 years visiting professor at The University of the Dutch West Indies in Curacao, the Antilles and am also associated with a host of other universities on a regular research and teaching bases. Furthermore I am a member of the scientific advisory board of a Paris/France based international publisher and also a member of the review committee of a business publisher based in Hyderabad, India.
7 Why are your books translated in so many languages?
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All of the books that I have written, were lucky enough to be translated in at least 6 other languages, apart from Dutch as they were recognized to be thought leader publications relevant for a worldwide group of readers. Most of my books have become 'good’ seller, two of them were international bestseller (Value-based knowledge management and Zero Space)
8 What is your favorite book you wrote?
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Every time I start writing a new book, that one automatically becomes my favorite. Momentarily I am working on a new book dealing with the international Knowledge based economy and on a new book about sustainable performance. Both will be published early 2004 first by Scriptum Publishers in the Netherlands.
9 What is your favorite book you read?
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My personal favorite book is a Dutch book written by a good colleague and friend called Ben Ligteringen. The book deals with exciting new ways of working in an ever changing economic environment. It's a wonderfully clear book about all the possibilities offered nowadays to companies to renew themselves in the shortest possible timeframe, at the same time it shows the reluctance of today's managers and policy makers to adopt anything new, i.e. anything other than traditional methods and techniques.
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