How to Cultivate and Transfer Business Wisdom

Policies and procedures, rules and regulations--these can all be written down to keep a business operational. It's the creative wisdom that founded the company and made it a success that is difficult to dissect in a policy manual. The thought processes and brainstorming that go into so many decisions are irreplaceable and impossible to duplicate. Try a few tips to cultivate and transfer business wisdom.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Give employees time in their work schedule to write down their thoughts about the company and how they make decisions. Especially as workers near retirement, you want to get as much of their wisdom down in writing as you can.
2. Write it down. Have a stenographer or a tape recorder running during every meeting and keep it archived by date and subject. It's often those impromptu-brainstorming sessions that reveal the true wisdom within your organization.
3. Request at least 2 weeks from every departing employee to spend with his replacement. They should have plenty of time just to talk and let the senior adviser transfer his accumulated wisdom during this time. If there is going to be a lapse in time between one employee leaving and one coming, try to set up a time for the two to spend some quality time, on your dime.
4. Hire a ghost writer to spend time interviewing top management and preparing small booklets, or larger volumes if necessary, to record the wisdom that is often difficult for the person who has it, to convey to others. A third party can ask the right questions and form a readable version of that contained genius.
5. Build a culture that encourages an open exchange of ideas between all levels in the company. A true open-door policy gives every employee permission to speak her mind freely and transfer her wisdom to a manager willing to listen.