Questions? -- A tool for KM

“ There are these four ways of answering questions. Which four? There are questions that should be answered categorically [straightforwardly yes, no, this, that]. There are questions that should be answered with an analytical (qualified) answer [defining or redefining the terms]. There are questions that should be answered with a counter-question. There are questions that should be put aside. These are the four ways of answering questions. ”
—Buddha,

A question may be either a linguistic expression used to make a request for information, or else the request itself made by such an expression. This information is provided with an answer. [Source: Wikipedia.org]

Questions are the most neglected tool in office setup. Questioning should be motivated and people should be trained to ask questions, respond to question or provide healty environment of questioning and answering.

Feedback for KM

In organizations, feedback is a process of sharing observations, concerns and suggestions between persons or divisions of the organization with an intention of improving both personal and organizational performance. (source: wikipedia.org)

Feedbacks have been commonly used to collect suggestion, ideas and improvements in any assignment or task after completion. The feedbacks are then used by managers to project the success of the assignment or to find fault with the people at helm.
Generally the feedback data are discarded after the initial reporting. Unless and until there is sharp decline in revenue or profit on year on year basis.
I do not recollect of many across organizations, which perform comparison or trend analysis on feed back data after collecting similar feedback for the 3rd or 4th time.

Several software’s are available to carry out 360 degree feedback online or offline.
I was wondering whether software’s available can perform Gap Analysis and Comparison between multiple feedback and present a report in the customized form.

One Act of Random Kindness.

Never before a film had a soothing affect on me, than during the repeat viewing of film "EVAN ALMIGHTY". The film is light and comic in nature, and underlines the need for bringing about change in the world order by building an ARK (one act of random kindness.)

Browsing the web on the subject provided me a link to the website http://www.actsofkindness.org. The website links to community sharing, learning and enjoying the ARK process.

Down here is the compiled a list of a few ideas to brighten someone else's day! (taken from the website.)
1. Volunteer at a kitchen
2. Donate old books
3. Donate canned goods
4. Send out cards telling people why they are special
5. Donate blood
6. Anonymously pay someone's parking ticket
7. Keep a supply of bottled water and crackers in your car to give to homeless people
8.Donate gently worn winter coats
9. Invite an acquaintance over for the holidays who doesn't have family close by
10. Give your coffee or tea to a construction worker
11. Drop off a bag of groceries for a family that is in need

SMALL ACTS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED

Do's and Do nots at the workplace.

Employees behaviour and attitude has both direct and indirect effect on the work environment and on the individual performance and team work. Some Do and Do nots at the workplace are as follows:

Do's at Work place:
1. Compliment your fellow colleague's and team members generously.
2. Share only positive experiences, ideas and learning during formal and informal meeting.
3. Respect and motivate your fellow colleagues and team members.
4. Try to add value to others learning when you share your ideas or suggestions.

Some Do nots at the Workplace
1.. Do not idle or pass time at the work place.
2. Do not become member of the grapevine community.
3. Do not share negative experiences. (Do it only when asked for).
4. Do not pass apprehensions, reservations to others during formal or informal meeting.
5. Do not criticize in public about your organization, team, project or work.
6. Do not compare your work, qualification and pay etc with your team members.

The Do's and Do nots are known to all, but we should practice it to remain free of unwanted office stress and increase productivity of the team and the individual.