SMR

Building the Knowledge Culture

Technology Failures in Nonprofits: Perhaps the Focus is in the Wrong Place

Guy St. Clair

For several years, nonprofits have been trying to figure out how to bring the benefits of technology to developing countries and to others who do not have resources to participate in the technology revolution. [And as a personal aside: Did I say “revolution”? Can it still be a “revolution”? We’ve been living with computers since 1981 or so – longer for some folks – and yet we’re still thinking of the marvels of technology as a “revolution.” Why is that? Probably because the changes come so fast with technology – and are ongoing – that for many of the wordsmiths,…
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Basic Skills in Computer and KM/Knowledge Services: What Do Employers Want? How Do We Teach Those Skills?

Guy St. Clair

Here’s the scenario: you’re a department head in a company. You and HR have come up with a list of basic skills you require for anyone coming to work in the department. Among these are basic IT (information technology) or ICT (information and communications technologies) skills. What does the list include? A first past breaks requirements into four categories: computer skills, e-mail skills, word processing skills, and internet skills. Any thoughts about what the next level might include? What else does your staff need to have mastered, to be proficient with “computer” skills? Ditto “e-mail,” “work processing,” and “internet” skills?…
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