Knowledge Tornado :: Marcus Goncalves

The Knowledge Tornado does an excellent job at outlining the various aspects of Knowledge Management and the role of the knowledge manager. Particularly of interest is the emphasis on the need for people, organizations and governments to strategically manage and utilise their historical and constantly evolving knowledge to put them ahead of the pack in a turbulent and uncertain economy.

Lakshman Ratnapala, President Emeritus & CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Chairman, Enelar International

"Managers and project leaders will find that Marcus Goncalves's Knowledge Tornado book makes a significant contribution in assisting the appreciation of how change impacts products, innovation and employees. In the fast paced business environment, Mr. Goncalves' views change and the dynamics of the shifting competitive environment as an opportunity but only when one is prepared with the necessary tools and insights that knowledge based management provides. The book is a "must read" as it meets it's objective of providing a solid background to tackle change through information and innovation."

Professor Kip Becker, Ph.D., Chairman, Department of Administrative Sciences at Boston University.

"How do we garner and manage business knowledge? For most today this is in their Outlook email client and using "Search". Companies enter the marketplace thru understanding how to deliver a better product or service, and by having captains at the helm that recognize the opportunity correctly, and have the skills to implement it. They disappear when they fail to sustain that process. The XML marketplace is a classic example of that today. Marcus shows why KM is a vital part of sustaining your business, and gives a complete guide on how to acquire what great captains throughout history have marched by - better information".

David RR Webber, Director, XMLGlobal Technologies, author of ebXML -The New Internet Standard, and co-founder of the XML/edi Group.

This is killer material - extremely useful!

Bruce T. Peat, President of eProcess Solutions, cofounder XML/edi Group, co-author of Professional ebXML Foundations and Professional XML

Marcus Goncalves thoughtfully explores the broad range of issues and challenges faced by those considering a knowledge management strategy. Although oriented toward those favoring technology solutions he broadens the scope to include the critical complexities of fostering the right culture and environment. Goncalves avoids easy formulas and pat answers by thoughtfully posing the key questions that must be considered before during and after any knowledge initiative.

Verna Allee, Verna Allee Associates, Martinez, CA

Conventional wisdom tells us that data is more useful as information and information is more useful as knowledge. Now, Marcus Goncalves tells us that even knowledge can be more useful - if it has a plan. Goncalves' latest book implies that know-who, know-what, and know-where are not effective without structured know-how. This clever book is insightful, practical, visionary, and is a hands-on guide to using knowledge successfully so that you are never asked the question "If you're so smart why aren't you rich?" You will gain much from this refreshing book because The Knowledge Tornado is a lot more than just spin.

Nick Lurowist, President OrthoGenesis, Inc.

In the coming tidal wave of web services, knowledge management will be crucial to competitiveness in the global economy. Marcus Goncalves defines the role of the Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO) whose purview is knowledge management in the post-industrial corporation. The role of the CKO will be critical in closing the gap between "Know How" and "How To" in the contemporary corporation, in the understanding of the technology and its immediate relevance to the corporation's business. How quickly this gap is bridged internally will determine the measure of profitability and competitiveness of the corporation in a global economy where business is done in web time. Mr. Goncalves makes the case that one of the crucial tasks of tomorrow's CEO will be selecting the right CKO and ensuring that there is a synergistic interplay between the two roles at the highest levels in the corporation. Speaking from actual experience he describes how the CEO could select and develop the corporate cultural machinery to achieve this goal. A must read for the globally oriented executive.

Richard Paradies, President, Micromuse Inc.

"Knowledge Tornado guides you in the challenge of bridging the knowledge gap. Companies all over the world have built large databases with all sort of information. This book is about how to transform information into useful knowledge, in corporate learning, and finally into action. Marcus Gonçalves provides in his new book a multi faceted view of the knowledge problem and develops an experienced analysis on how to succeed exploring a new collaborative oriented enterprise environment. Read this book before your competitors" - Constantino Seixas Filho - R&D Director - ATAN Automation Systems - Brazil
"During the last years we were dealing with filling the gap between business systems and the plant shop using Collaborative Production Management technologies. This new book from Marcus Gonçalves dives on the next level abyss: the knowledge gap. How to transform information into useful knowledge, in corporate learning, and finally into action? The knowledge tornado is a survival guide on this new arena."
Constantino Seixas Filho - R&D Director - ATAN Automation Systems - Brazil

"The Knowledge Tornado brings knowledge management into detailed focus and distinguishes it from mere technology. Transferring knowledge into action, the key to the enormous productivity and competitive gains that knowledge management can bring, is emphasized throughout and examined from multiple viewpoints including the ethical. Written by someone who has navigated the shoals and seen the good and bad, this book will not just answer your questions but also the questions you didn't know to ask."
Donald Eastlake III, Principal Staff Software Engineer, Motorola.

"Marcus Goncalves's Knowledge Tornado book will assist you understanding all aspects of the Knowledge Management. It gives you an excellent vision on how KM will change the business culture and the human behaviour. A much needed book to be read by everybody who wants to stay on the leading edge of the changing world."

Uwe Grundmann, General Manager, North Europe, ARC Advisory Group

Lakshman Ratnapala, President Emeritus & CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Chairman, Enelar International

"In an era in which the only constant is change, the ability of organizations to constantly adapt is the key to success. Marcus book is a hands-on guide on change management through knowledge. The book is refreshingly different in that it views knowledge well beyond the precincts of technology and information systems and addresses "softer" issues such as culture and organization design which are critical to success of knowledge based strategy, yet are most often ignored. A must read for all those in the business of knowledge."
Bharat Salhotra, Sloan Fellow 2002, MIT Sloan School of Management

"The next generation of business leaders will be organizations who are able to harness their inherent collective knowledge to leapfrog the competition. Marcus does an outstanding job of identifying the steps today's company must take to achieve this leadership."

Gary Logie, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Software & Software Spectrum

"In the industrialized world, knowledge is [ultimately] the source of all profitability. The extent to which enterprises can harness, leverage and extend its knowledge "core" will ultimately drive its competitive stance into the future. As value chains disperse geographically, and the "corporate memory" is either transferred, relocated or down-sized, Knowledge Management (KM) and the New Breed of CKO - as defined by Goncalves - will play a greater role in maintaining continuity, forming strategy and providing the intellectual scalability necessary for today's organizations. For most executives, the fact that "knowledge is king" comes to no surprise, what Goncalves' Knowledge Tornado provides is an evangelical "what, how, where, when" to the topic. His ability to summarize facts - with explicit, real-life examples - that serve to reinforce his advice and guidance will provide the basis and validation of the CKO's role as it evolves and moves forward. A must read for both those who recognize the need of KM or those who've wondered what it's all about."

Mark L. Withington, President, PLM Research

"Rapidly evolving technology is providing companies and their top executives with a confusing array of new tools to better manage the breadth of their supply chains. Avoiding the trap of simply explaining these new technologies, Marcus Goncalves' latest book, Knowledge Tornado, provides the intellectual tools to understand the changing dynamics of the market. Goncalves provides the higher perspective of knowledge management, its issues, its challenges, and the way it impacts companies."

Edward W. Bassett, Editor, ARC Advisory Group

Marcus Goncalves is an IT visionary extraordinaire; he's "been there, done that!" His intimate, first-hand experience on bridging the gap between know-how, and how-to clearly defines the path of turning knowledge into action. In the past several years, corporate IT has spent incalculable resources in nurturing and cultivating multi-headed knowledge monsters that have become more and more untenable. With Knowledge Tornado, Marcus Goncalves clearly puts a stake in the ground for the importance of visionary knowledge leadership, but more importantly, its criticality for corporate survival. This book should be read by CKOs, and CEOs alike; it sets them on a no-fail course for KM co-leadership success.

Vic Marcus Muschiano, President, Vortex Advisory Group, Inc.

There are not many books written on this topic and Marcus Goncalves' book The Knowledge Tornado: Bridging the Corporate Knowledge Gap serves to fill this vacuum. Marcus, with many years of experience as a CKO of successful business ventures, is ideally placed to author a book on this subject. I found the book very readable and complete with many interesting case studies. It presents a concise view of the knowledge industry, and amply demonstrates the many challenges faced by the knowledge managers of today. I am sure this will prove to be an essential reference to everyone who are associated with the knowledge industry and are responsible for managing change.

Abhaya Induruwa, Technical Advisory Unit, University of Kent at Canterbury, UK.

The concept of "knowledge is power" continues to evolve as an insightful benchmark in business process refinement. It is no longer adequate to empower knowledge workers with information, nothing less than empowerment with understanding is acceptable. The Knowledge Tornado: Bridging the Corporate Knowledge Gap, displays this understanding and offers a roadmap for a successful transition.

Dave Woll, VP Consulting , Automation Research Corporation.

In all organizations, processes are changed or reengineered frequently due to fluctuation in the number of employees, some new crisis, new board directives, or the results of a marketing survey. Out with the old and in with new. As a result corporations forego the experience gained previously in order to embrace change. Marcus Goncalves' book, The Knowledge Tornado, effectively documents this phenomenon and describes solutions for the prevention of this costly loss of knowledge. The most valuable take away was the realization that this endeavour, Knowledge Management, will be required of all companies in order to have a competitive advantage and utilize resources efficiently. This book does an exceptional job of identifying the path that every company will be forced to take in the near future…..to survive.

Kerri Holt Apple, VP Product Management & Development, bTrade, Inc.

Marcus Goncalves' "The Knowledge Tornado" is one of the most dynamically relevant books written during and about the new economy. It has become very difficult for Americans, as well as others in the global community, to make sense out of the rapid pace of change and information overflow, both cultural and economic, that has ensued since the advent of the Internet revolution. For the first time, X, Y and Z generation Americans are facing an economic downturn-and companies are encountering the reality of having to report consecutive quarters of falling revenues and profits. The latter prospect has not occurred since the Depression. The "Knowledge Tornado" thoughtfully and insightfully assesses the current, seemingly chaotic environment of the global economy, takes a deep look at the paradoxical nature of the kind of radical change being forced upon businesses and their desire for stability (risk aversion), and then proposes a knowledge management-based solution that embraces continuous change as the only means to advancing innovation and ensuring survival. Those businesses that have collective corporate ears will "hear" what Mr. Goncalves is expounding in this must-integrate business guide for the generation. If you didn't understand why you needed to develop, implement and measure a knowledge management system before, or hire or develop the right CKO built for this post-Internet world of change, "Knowledge Tornado" can help build the roadmap that will keep you from the typical pitfalls of incorporating knowledge management into your business culture. Some people conceive of knowledge management as a great collective of enterprise technologies, but as Mr. Goncalves so persuasively explains: "Knowledge management is a business practice, not a technology-based concept…through which organizations generate value form their intellectual and knowledge-based assets." Bottom line: In order to derive value from knowledge, one must make sure that this knowledge is shared throughout an organization. One of the most resonating, yet perplexing conclusions Mr. Goncalves makes is that currently our businesses reward the exact opposite: the hording of information by individuals within businesses who have been told their value and relevancy is a growing function of their ability to personally control proprietary information. With these kinds of insights and wisdom, you are entreated to go deep into the eye of the "Knowledge Tornado" and to learn and apply what you can. It will benefit your competitive, creative and ethical well being.

John Howard, Vice President of Porter Novelli Convergence Group

A must read for anybody that wants to understand the insights to knowledge management and how to use it to improve the success of your company.

Andy J. Funk, CEO & Founding Partner Funk Ventures, Inc.

Marcus Goncalves goes beyond the technology of knowledge management systems to explore the organizational and strategic issues involved in any successful implementation. Drawing on the experiences of KM-savvy organizations such as Staples and The World Bank, he lists the essential strategies a CKO can employ to bridge the gap from Know-How to How-To. These strategies can be used effectively in organizations of any size, and in sectors as diverse as banking, retail, and government. If your responsibilities include KM, you should read The Knowledge Tornado. It will help you make the most from the investment your organization has already made (or is about to make) in KM technology and systems.

Ken Skier, President, SkiSoft, Inc.