NJA Team Knowledge Management Wiki/Blog 

For the past six months, NJA has been working tirelessly to leverage the resources and knowedge of its 20 independent franchisees.  Although each business coach owns their own business and operates independently, and has the support of the corporate franchise resources, it is the goal if NJA to create a strong regional team that will share ideas and success strategies so that coaches can learn from each other.  The best way to learn how to coach is to be encouraged and coached in your own business.

Currently, our primary system of communication is email yuk ls.  Much of what we do leaves a long email trail that is often difficult to follow and comment upon.  The purpose of this wiki is to centralize the most commonly requested information, to gather required data, to make edits to documents in transition, and to encourage and keep a record of all communication regarding key issues.  All members will be instructed on the use of the wiki via screencast, including use of the comments section yum ls.  In addition, a blog has been created to recap conference calls so that comments can be made and visible to all members of the team.  In addition to the weekly CC updates, this blog will be used as a "sounding board" forum that used to take place via email.  Issues that need to be decided upon and requiring a vote will be described in a blog post and a poll added to capture responses.  Comments then can then be added if additional discussion is required.  Other items of interest will also appear here on an informal basis.  

Described below are some of the activities that will be transitioning to the wiki and/or blog:

• Weekly conference call updates:  Conference call takes place on Tuesdays, on Wednesdays a blog post will be added.  Coaches can add the blog to an RSS feed and get notification when it is updated.  Currently, the update is sent via email and often the result is a crazy long email chain that gets hard to follow.  By moving the update to a blog, comments can be eaily tracked and seen by all.  Also, while this is an important document, it is not essential so moving it out of email makes sense.

• Document/Information repository to include:

               * Seminar locations, related costs and linkable Google maps to location.

               * Seminar descriptions and related announcement and materials can be posted to wiki for universal access.

               * Links to screencasts of frequently asked questions.

               * Master Calendar for shared events

               * Registration info for selected events for tracking purposes.

               * Newsletter article archive. 

               * Book recommendations.  Never be at a loss for a resource again.  Makes great marketing tool.

               * Frequently used and requested links.  Add del.icio.us linking, after inaugural screencast.

• Coach idea bin:  Use this area to post new marketing ideas, what's working, what's not.  Admin will monitor the area and add new pages as this content develops.  Can also use the area to put out a general call for information.

This wiki/blog will evolve as it is used.  Some sections may work, some may not.  The challenge to implementation will be 100% participation.  Kind of like herding cats.