Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer Translated: The Dawson Research Initiative Wisconsin School of Business Bolz Center for Arts Administration Abby Ballain, Michal Fischer, Jess Main, Katie Waters

A moment of reflection…

Agenda Our Research Definitions and Relevance Types and Forms of Knowledge Barriers to Knowledge Transfer Learning from Other Domains Corporations Cultures Non-Profits Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer in the Arts

Our Research

Definitions and Relevance

Types and Forms of Knowledge

Barriers to Knowledge Transfer

Learning from Other Domains

Corporations

Cultures

Non-Profits

Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer in the Arts

Our Research Knowledge Management Research Corporations Cultures Service Organizations Arts Organizations Expert Interviews Seasoned Leaders Emerging Leaders

Knowledge Management Research

Corporations

Cultures

Service Organizations

Arts Organizations

Expert Interviews

Seasoned Leaders

Emerging Leaders

Knowledge Management Research Studies Nonprofit Executive Leadership and Transition Survey 2004, Annie E. Casey Foundation, www.aecf.org Arts Leadership for the 21 st Century, Illinois Arts Alliance Foundation, 2002, www.artsalliance.org Bridging the Gap: How to Transfer Knowledge in Today’s Multigenerational Workplace , The Conference Board, 2008 www.conference-board.org Our Research

Knowledge Management Research Studies

Nonprofit Executive Leadership and Transition Survey 2004, Annie E. Casey Foundation, www.aecf.org

Arts Leadership for the 21 st Century, Illinois Arts Alliance Foundation, 2002, www.artsalliance.org

Bridging the Gap: How to Transfer Knowledge in Today’s Multigenerational Workplace , The Conference Board, 2008

www.conference-board.org

Agenda Our Research Definitions and Relevance Types and Forms of Knowledge Barriers to Knowledge Transfer Learning from Other Domains Corporations Cultures Non-Profits Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer in the Arts

Our Research

Definitions and Relevance

Types and Forms of Knowledge

Barriers to Knowledge Transfer

Learning from Other Domains

Corporations

Cultures

Non-Profits

Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer in the Arts

Definitions Knowledge Management: The organization, creation, capturing or distribution of knowledge to ensure its availability for future users. Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer: Any interaction – whether one-on-one, in a group, or through written communication in print or online – that conveys facts, context, connections, processes, or other insights between two generations.

Knowledge Management:

The organization, creation, capturing or distribution of knowledge to ensure its availability for future users.

Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer:

Any interaction – whether one-on-one, in a group, or through written communication in print or online – that conveys facts, context, connections, processes, or other insights between two generations.

77 million Baby Boomers in US workforce vs. 38 million Gen Xers to take their place 1 Nearly all Baby Boomers will be at average retirement age (62) by 2020 1 57% of Baby Boomers in nonprofit executive positions plan to leave current positions by 2010 1 70% of executives and 90% of staff in non-profit arts in Illinois expect to leave their current positions in the next 5 years 2 1—Nonprofit Executive Leadership and Transition Survey 2004, Annie E. Casey Foundation 2—Arts Leadership for the 21 st Century, Illinois Arts Alliance Foundation, 2002 Why is this Topic Relevant?

77 million Baby Boomers in US workforce vs.

38 million Gen Xers to take their place 1

Nearly all Baby Boomers will be at average retirement age (62) by 2020 1

57% of Baby Boomers in nonprofit executive positions plan to leave current positions by 2010 1

70% of executives and 90% of staff in non-profit arts in Illinois expect to leave their current positions in the next 5 years 2

1—Nonprofit Executive Leadership and Transition Survey 2004, Annie E. Casey Foundation

2—Arts Leadership for the 21 st Century, Illinois Arts Alliance Foundation, 2002

“ What really distinguishes an organization is the knowledge that its employees possess.” - The Conference Board

“ What really distinguishes an organization is the knowledge that its employees possess.”

- The Conference Board

Agenda Our Research Definitions and Relevance Types and Forms of Knowledge Barriers to Knowledge Transfer Learning from Other Domains Corporations Cultures Non-Profits Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer in the Arts

Our Research

Definitions and Relevance

Types and Forms of Knowledge

Barriers to Knowledge Transfer

Learning from Other Domains

Corporations

Cultures

Non-Profits

Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer in the Arts

Types of Knowledge Factual Knowledge Basic information

Factual Knowledge

Basic information

Types of Knowledge Process Knowledge “ Recipes for doing things well”

Process Knowledge

“ Recipes for doing things well”

Types of Knowledge Catalog Knowledge Directories of expertise

Catalog Knowledge

Directories of expertise

Types of Knowledge Cultural Knowledge Invisible rules and norms Navigating organizational politics

Cultural Knowledge

Invisible rules and norms

Navigating organizational politics

Forms of Knowledge Tacit Unstated Sometimes too complex to put into words Explicit External knowledge Policy, rule, document

Tacit

Unstated

Sometimes too complex to put into words

Explicit

External knowledge

Policy, rule, document

Agenda Our Research Definitions and Relevance Types and Forms of Knowledge Barriers to Knowledge Transfer Learning from Other Domains Corporations Cultures Non-Profits Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer in the Arts

Our Research

Definitions and Relevance

Types and Forms of Knowledge

Barriers to Knowledge Transfer

Learning from Other Domains

Corporations

Cultures

Non-Profits

Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer in the Arts

Barriers to Knowledge Transfer Resources Perceived Importance Motivation for Participation Learning Techniques

Resources

Perceived Importance

Motivation for Participation

Learning Techniques

Barriers to Knowledge Transfer Multi-tasking (Focus) “ You see people at the conference (APAP) trying to get work done at home, which ultimately negatively impacts both experiences.” Survey Respondent

Multi-tasking (Focus)

“ You see people at the conference (APAP) trying to get work done at home, which ultimately negatively impacts both experiences.”

Survey Respondent

Barriers to Knowledge Transfer Technology “ Electronic communication is an instantaneous and illusory contact that creates a sense of intimacy without the emotional investment that leads to close friendships.” Clifford Stoll

Technology

“ Electronic communication is an instantaneous and illusory contact that creates a sense of intimacy without the emotional investment that leads to close friendships.”

Clifford Stoll

Barriers to Knowledge Transfer Fear “ I think one of the most important things is that I’m not afraid to connect with them (seasoned leaders). When you first enter the field, the idea of connecting with people at the executive director and CEO level can be very intimidating.” Survey Respondent

Fear

“ I think one of the most important things is that I’m not afraid to connect with them (seasoned leaders). When you first enter the field, the idea of connecting with people at the executive director and CEO level can be very intimidating.”

Survey Respondent

Distance Spatial Geographical location Conference call vs. in person meeting Temporal Knowing at the right time Social Learning techniques Hierarchical interaction

Spatial

Geographical location

Conference call vs. in person meeting

Temporal

Knowing at the right time

Social

Learning techniques

Hierarchical interaction

Social Distance: Four Generations in the Workplace Matures/Veterans (b. 1925-1945) Baby Boomers (b. 1946-1964) Classroom, printed text, verbal learners Gen X (b. 1965-1979) Action oriented, visual learners Gen Y/Millennials (b. 1980-1995) Team learning, networking Technology

Matures/Veterans (b. 1925-1945)

Baby Boomers (b. 1946-1964)

Classroom, printed text, verbal learners

Gen X (b. 1965-1979)

Action oriented, visual learners

Gen Y/Millennials (b. 1980-1995)

Team learning, networking

Technology

Intergenerational Importance “ Personal dynamics and communication between source and receiver can make or break the transfer of knowledge, especially between generations.” - The Conference Board

“ Personal dynamics and communication between source and receiver can make or break the transfer of knowledge, especially between generations.”

- The Conference Board

Knowledge Transfer Learning Curve Bridging the Gaps: How to Transfer Knowledge in Today’s Multigenerational Workplace, The Conference Board, 2008

Agenda Our Research Definitions and Relevance Types and Forms of Knowledge Barriers to Knowledge Transfer Learning from Other Domains Corporations Cultures Non-Profits Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer in the Arts

Our Research

Definitions and Relevance

Types and Forms of Knowledge

Barriers to Knowledge Transfer

Learning from Other Domains

Corporations

Cultures

Non-Profits

Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer in the Arts

Corporate Examples Eli Lilly (40,000+ employees) Centralized succession database 360-Degree Feedback Formal Mentoring Program

Eli Lilly (40,000+ employees)

Centralized succession database

360-Degree Feedback

Formal Mentoring Program

Corporate Take-Aways Strategies Connected to core business strategy Technology plays an essential role Continuous identification of potential Ongoing talent development Fields of study Knowledge Management Strategic Human Resource Management

Strategies

Connected to core business strategy

Technology plays an essential role

Continuous identification of potential

Ongoing talent development

Fields of study

Knowledge Management

Strategic Human Resource Management

Corporate Take-Aways “ Arts presenters lose knowledge and good talent when someone in an organization doesn’t see anywhere to go and so they leave.” - Survey Respondent

“ Arts presenters lose knowledge and good talent when someone in an organization doesn’t see anywhere to go and so they leave.”

- Survey Respondent

Cultural Examples West Africa Griots Responsible for holding culture’s history Keepers of knowledge Oral Tradition Song, Dance & Storytelling Provocateurs “ Stories can help us replace inadequate or outdated mental models by appealing to us at an emotional or intuitive level.” - The Conference Board

West Africa

Griots

Responsible for holding culture’s history

Keepers of knowledge

Oral Tradition

Song, Dance & Storytelling

Provocateurs

“ Stories can help us replace inadequate or outdated mental models by appealing to us at an emotional or intuitive level.”

- The Conference Board

Cultural Examples Papua New Guinea Oral tradition carried on by one individual Value added by scarcity & ownership Severity of the potential loss Translating for documentation Serves own community and translates between cultures

Papua New Guinea

Oral tradition carried on by one individual

Value added by scarcity & ownership

Severity of the potential loss

Translating for documentation

Serves own community and translates between cultures

Cultural Take-Aways Approaches Individual benefits the whole Community values its cultural preservation Specific role supported by community Match the tool to the task “ What is best for the organization should ultimately be what is best for the person; it’s a change of mindset.” - Survey Respondent

Approaches

Individual benefits the whole

Community values its cultural preservation

Specific role supported by community

Match the tool to the task

“ What is best for the organization should ultimately be what is best for the person; it’s a change of mindset.”

- Survey Respondent

Non-Profit Example SCORE: “Counselors to America’s Small Business” Mentoring advice 24/7 In person mentoring – 389 offices Low-cost workshops How-to articles and business templates Online workshops and learning

SCORE: “Counselors to America’s Small Business”

Mentoring advice 24/7

In person mentoring – 389 offices

Low-cost workshops

How-to articles and business templates

Online workshops and learning

Non-Profit Take-Aways Tailored approach Multiple tools Accessibility Collaboration “ How can I make my co-worker successful?” - Survey Respondent

Tailored approach

Multiple tools

Accessibility

Collaboration

“ How can I make my

co-worker successful?”

- Survey Respondent

Agenda Definitions and Relevance Our Research Types and Forms of Knowledge Barriers to Knowledge Transfer Learning from Other Domains Corporations Cultures Non-Profits Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer in the Arts

Definitions and Relevance

Our Research

Types and Forms of Knowledge

Barriers to Knowledge Transfer

Learning from Other Domains

Corporations

Cultures

Non-Profits

Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer in the Arts

Challenges for Intergenerational Knowledge Transfer in Arts ‘Thin’ management Fragmented Discipline specific Service driven

‘Thin’ management

Fragmented

Discipline specific

Service driven

What Are We Already Accessing? Arts service organization resources National and regional communities Higher education Organizational level Across organizations/partnerships “ It is important to volunteer with professional organizations and serve on boards and committees. This is a responsibility of all leaders in the field, but is also an opportunity to meet people.” - Survey Respondent

Arts service organization resources

National and regional communities

Higher education

Organizational level

Across organizations/partnerships

“ It is important to volunteer with professional organizations and serve on boards and committees. This is a responsibility of all leaders in the field, but is also an opportunity to meet people.”

- Survey Respondent

Arts Service Organizations Knowledge Transfer Tools Mentorship Site Visits Panels Websites Conferences Forums Webinars Fellowships Job Shadowing Roundtables Online Services Workshops Discussion Groups Seminars

Mentorship

Site Visits

Panels

Websites

Conferences

Forums

Webinars

Fellowships

Job Shadowing

Roundtables

Online Services

Workshops

Discussion Groups

Seminars

Mentorship at Theatre Communications Group New Generation Program Both mentor and mentee incentivized Identifies future leaders in theater Opportunities in multiple areas Acting, arts administration/management, playwriting, tech work, etc “ I had an outstanding mentor that I could turn to with all of my doubts and fears. He helped me to know that I could be successful.” - Survey Respondent

New Generation Program

Both mentor and mentee incentivized

Identifies future leaders in theater

Opportunities in multiple areas

Acting, arts administration/management, playwriting, tech work, etc

“ I had an outstanding mentor that I could turn to with all of my doubts and fears. He helped me to know that I could be successful.”

- Survey Respondent

Forums at Americans for the Arts MetLife Foundation National Arts Program Series Arts and Business Council of New York Nationwide discussions exploring issues facing both fields Overcomes spatial and social distance

MetLife Foundation National Arts Program Series

Arts and Business Council of New York

Nationwide discussions exploring issues facing both fields

Overcomes spatial and social distance

Workshops at APAP Emerging Leader Institute Two and half day seminar Network building (class, alumni) Current and relevant issues “ In my day-to-day job, I had no colleagues, so ELI was particularly good for me because it gave me a network of people from whom to learn.” - Survey Respondent

Emerging Leader Institute

Two and half day seminar

Network building (class, alumni)

Current and relevant issues

“ In my day-to-day job, I had no colleagues, so ELI was particularly good for me because it gave me a network of people from whom to learn.”

- Survey Respondent

Ideas From You Social Networking site for Arts Administrators Organizational Exchange program Post-event follow-up What else?

Social Networking site for Arts Administrators

Organizational Exchange program

Post-event follow-up

Key Take-Aways Make knowledge transfer a priority Ongoing Integrated and continuous Tied to mission Determine who keeps knowledge in your organization Understand barriers to knowledge transfer and different learning styles Match knowledge type to tool

Make knowledge transfer a priority

Ongoing

Integrated and continuous

Tied to mission

Determine who keeps knowledge in your organization

Understand barriers to knowledge transfer and different learning styles

Match knowledge type to tool

“ I find it regrettable that certain colleagues have reached a level of success and have stopped providing for the next generation. We have a responsibility to emerging leaders and the field.” – Survey Respondent

“ I find it regrettable that certain colleagues have reached a level of success and have stopped providing for the next generation. We have a responsibility to emerging leaders and the field.”

– Survey Respondent

Questions

Who are the Griots in your organization, your community, the field? Do they know that is their role? Is their role as Griot supported?

Who are the Griots in your organization, your community, the field?

Do they know that is their role?

Is their role as Griot supported?

Do we in the arts think as a sector? How does that affect how we view the knowledge we collectively hold?

Do we in the arts

think as a sector?

How does that affect how we view the knowledge we collectively hold?

What if Arts Presenting was all under one umbrella? How would intergenerational knowledge transfer happen?

What if Arts Presenting was all under one umbrella?

How would intergenerational knowledge transfer happen?

Thank you! www.bolzcenter.org/dawson

www.bolzcenter.org/dawson