J. Schmalz GmbH Recognised as an “Excellent Knowledge Organisation”

06.11.2009

The “Fit für den Wissenswettbewerb” initiative (“Ready for the Knowledge Competition”) has awarded J. Schmalz GmbH the prize for exemplary knowledge management in small to medium-sized businesses. The prize was presented by Georg Bröhl, Assistant Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. The goal of the competition is to accomplish a lasting transfer of the tools and methods of knowledge management into the operations of small and medium-sized businesses by way of concrete examples.

J Schmalz GmbH is a leader among small and medium-sized businesses. “Develop your strengths and always be ready for change” – this was the principle that guided the management’s decision to invest in knowledge management. Various measures were taken in the scope of this initiative in order to assess and increase competence, and to document and optimise knowledge of processes. A flexibility matrix gives an overview of the specialised competences within a team and helps to improve the team’s level of knowledge and ability. Additionally, each employee is evaluated in a yearly performance review. The development goals decided on are supported by the training and further-education centre “Schmalz Academy”. Employees can deepen their knowledge in over 100 courses per year.

Even processes undergo continuous further development. This is ensured by the Continual Improvement Process (CIP). A new web-based display of processes provides better visualisation and will replace the purely text-based display in the future. “This is a real CIP push”, says Patrick Ulmer, head of Quality and Environmental Management. Impulses also come from the employees themselves by way of the employee suggestion system, as the employees also profit from the improvement in processes. At Schmalz, they are aware that “the knowledge and skills of the employees represents the most important capital for a successful future.”

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