Sharing best practices company-wide

"If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple.  But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas."

                                    ~ George Bernard Shaw

The University of Wisconsin research four large and successful companies concerning the development of their associates.  Of all these firms, Colgate sums up the sentiments well when they say that they believe in a "...continuous training strategy to enhance their professional development."  Among those tactics include sharing best practices globally.

Sharing best practices globally means that individuals will reach across departments other than their own and either solicit or share ideas.

Although the departments may be far separated concerning their unique responsibilities, something may exist in one department that may work well for the other.  For example, patient care coordinators may be using a tremendous cost-cutting practice that Medical Reimbursement may adopt.  The only set-back for this valuable information being conveyed is that the fact that the two departments may be in two separate buildings and representatives may see one another only once or twice a year.

Team exercise:

"Are there any areas in our department that may be improved?"

"Identify three to four other departments in the organization where we may ask for ideas."

"Before separating, determine who (this may be more than one person) will contact those outside departments."

Study information provided from uwstout website.