KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT
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A Practical Guide to Disciplined Innovation and Other Oxymorons
Brown is the new black. Forty is the new thirty. Comedy
is the new rock'n'roll. In the world of law, is innovation the new
knowledge management (KM)? When innovation initiatives
first started cropping up in law firms and legal departments,
some wondered whether innovation was simply the latest buzz
word, or maybe KM's natural evolution. But with client demand
as the impetus, innovation is being recognized as a separate
discipline in law firms requiring its own structure and seat at
the strategic table.
What do we mean by innovation in the practice of law?
Innovation is a broad and abstract concept; defining it is about
as easy as defining art and may be susceptible to the same
default definition: I will know it when I see it. In business,
the more useful definitions of innovation boil down to three
elements: (a) A new product, service or way of thinking or
acting that (b) makes something beer than it was before and
(c) adds value to the organization, those it serves or both.
This article explores practical tips for developing a
sustainable innovation initiative and avoiding common pitfalls.
It looks into how law firms and legal departments can best
introduce and embed innovation into their organizations by
taking the lessons learned from legal KM's formative years to
help prevent missteps.
Setting the Stage
Before launching a program, prudent organizations will nurture
a fertile environment for innovation. To spark innovation,
organizations need keenly observant people who are given time
by Ginevra Saylor
A Practical Guide to Disciplined
Innovation and Other Oxymorons