The Wisdom Department

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The Wisdom Department

Steve Jones - SSC Editor

SSC Guru

Points: 734564
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March 6, 2011 at 9:15 pm

#142380

Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Wisdom Department

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djackson 22568 SSChampion Points: 11733 More actions · Answer 1

Setting up knowledge sharing is a great idea. Unfortunately too many companies are overly focused on short term profits. While they are willing to invest in improvements to some areas, and perceived improvements in others (marketing), investing in individuals is often viewed as wasteful. Companies worry that sending someone to a class will result in that person going to a competitor. Well, maybe they aren't paying people competitively if that occurs. Companies worry that the training dollars will not benefit them. Maybe the wrong people are in some positions. Companies often have too few employees working too many tasks. This causes employees to not have time to focus on things like knowledge sharing or even documentation, as they are rushing from fire to fire all day.

Now there are companies that have risen above these issues. I am willing to bet the companies who are willing to pay for education most likely already have things in place to facilitate knowledge sharing.

Given how many people posting here talk about being overworked, and the number that have responsibilities other than as a DBA, I am willing to bet education, training and knowledge sharing is insufficient across a significant number of organizations.

Dave

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 734564 More actions · Answer 2

That's probably true, and thanks for the comment. I suspect the companies that would be willing to do this are also the ones that are willing to invest in BI, long term projects that will get them better data to make decisions with as well.

GSquared SSC Guru Points: 260824 More actions · Answer 3

I used to work for a company that insisted on long-term planning. Every project had to include data on which strategic initiatives it was meant to forward, before it could even go through executive review, much less get any funding or anything like that.

Same company also had in-house training facilities for employees, et al.

I don't work there any more (life intruded), but I still stay in touch with friends there. They not only weathered the recession, they just kept on growing without even a pause for a deep breath.

Most don't work that way though. It's too bad.

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SQLDCH SSChampion Points: 11601 More actions · Answer 4

I love the image you chose, D&D PnP dice and Player's Handbook definition of wisdom. Brought back memories...are (were) you a gamer, Steve?

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33Elwood SSC Rookie Points: 31 More actions · Answer 5

Companies that develop long term investments including creating goodwill, developing employees, etc... are acting in their "enlightened self interest" (as Adam Smith would say) which will maximize their profits. Any other approach is short sited.