Comments for More on coffee as knowledge management

Comment from Olivier Amprimo on 2007-03-26

2007-03-26T08:52:32Z

Fancy ways but I believe the old fashioned way of the coffee area as a place where people flock and gather is far more efficient.
This key thing creates (random) 1-2-1 communication only and not 1-2 many. I'don't really see how this can create more cohesion as it's less efficient in breaking organizational silos, unless there is no direct/physical communication at all.
The simpler, the better. I feel like it's both forcing and limitating natural behaviors. To be an efficient KM tool, I believe coffee areas should be places where people stick (a bit) and not go thru: pretty much a parking rather than a toll gate.

Comment from Mary on 2007-03-26

2007-03-26T18:13:07Z

Don't think it will work because the spontaneity is missing...nothing beats the voluntary almost unintentional happen to be there together at the same time scenario

Comment from jackvinson on 2007-03-26

2007-03-26T18:55:13Z

These responses are interesting. The coffee pot (or water cooler) have been used as a KM analogy because of the idea of coming together at a common, shared space.

The idea that Anjo suggests above is rather entertaining, and I suspect it's an extension of meeting ground idea.

Encouraging people to talk has to be a good idea, whether that is in a public space like the coffee room, or in a one-on-one setting in someone's office.