People-focused knowledge management

Knowledge-Related Practices and Actions
All employees are provided with competence to act indepen-
dently, intelligently, and quickly — although collaboration is
widely encouraged.
Deliberate educational and knowledge distribution efforts ascer-
tain that employees have access to the best possible knowledge
available to handle situations.
The company uses outside experts whenever possible and fre-
quently surveys worldwide what others do. “Not Invented
Here” syndromes are not prevalent. “We are not large enough
to have in-house experts in most of the areas where we need
expertise.”
Information on operating and technical performance is shared
widely. Competitively sensitive information is controlled, but
technical and operating information is made available to 
everyone. The performance of operations and potentials for
improving performance (quality, throughput, energy consump-
tion, etc.) are constant topics for discussion among operators at
all levels.
The company places extensive emphasis on education and pro-
vides education for high school equivalency for those without
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The Effective Enterprise
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diplomas. Education is provided for all in metallurgy, steel chem-
istry, metals processing, control, electronics, and other relevant
technical areas, as well as in basic business principles, customer
requirements, people skills, teamwork, and other subjects.
Resulting Behavioral and Cultural Traits
All employees have a “can-do” mentality based on needs to
pursue competence and innovation.
Individuals are not afraid to ask others for inputs and expertise.
The company maintains a “safe environment” culture.
Peer pressure is very important to identify and weed out
unwanted behavior.
Management is careful to not blame individuals. Operating
problems are examined to find what can be learned — if it is
technical or human. If technical, solutions are sought and cor-
rections implemented. If human, management explores how it
can change the situation through its own behavior, education,
staffing, or perhaps by changing the operation itself.