Quantum² Highlights Archives : Topics of the Month : Sharing Information

Sharing Information

In our continuing series on the concept of FUMSI (Find, Use, Manage and Share Information), guest writer Robin Neidorf of Free Pint Ltd. advocates how we all need to learn to share information.

We All Need to Learn to Share

At the 2007 SLA Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado last June, the opening keynote speech by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore offered a perspective on information work that is not often highlighted: How effectively do individuals and organizations share the information they have? His message about strategic communication of information is urgent — as his Oscar-winning film argues, the survival of the planet may well be at stake. The central issue in solving the problem of climate change is not one of needing more information; rather, it is about effective communication of the information that’s already been found and validated.

‘Relevant context’ was a phrase Mr. Gore used repeatedly during that speech. In today’s world, access to information is only part of the challenge and perhaps the easiest part to overcome. Information has, in fact, probably never been more accessible than it is right now. More difficult to figure out, however, is the role information professionals can and should play in communicating information effectively. The problem is multiplied by the many forms of communication now available — email, telephone, webcast, Internet, intranet, newsletter, RSS, widget, mobile alerts...

Just thinking about the possibilities is enough to make even the most organized brain become dizzy. That’s why ‘Sharing Information’ is a key practice area in the FUMSI (http://www.fumsi.com/) approach to understanding and supporting information work. Unless information is effectively shared with those who need it for decision-making, skill-building and development, its full value can’t be realized.

Sharing information can take on many forms. Internal and external communication, training, publishing and teaching are all forms of sharing information. So is a business meeting or telephone call. So is a text message or email. By this definition, most workers (if not all) are engaged in the Share practice.

How can information professionals support them in doing so?

• Model best-practices in Sharing Information: Be sure you share information in ways you want others in your organization to do so.
• Gain further knowledge: Stay up-to-date on emerging technologies as well as the tried-and-true and learn about the right ways (and wrong ways) to use them.
• Foster collaboration: Teamwork itself is another form of Sharing Information; make sure your IT, IS, intranet, corporate communications and marketing departments in particular understand your organization’s primary goals for dissemination of information.
• Understand your audience: Finding, Using and Managing Information can all be practiced solo; Sharing Information requires a second person. Effective Sharing requires you to understand the needs of the audience and frame the information to meet those needs.

Although the orientation towards Sharing Information may be quite distinct from what many information professionals thought they were training for in during their education, it opens up enormous potential for creating enhanced value in the workplace.

[February 2008]