We all know that the business questions are best answered when we examine multiple data sources.  As researchers, we have always worked to improve our knowledge management so that we can use existing information to help inform strategic decisions.  Over the years, we accumulate more and more information, making our existing knowledge more and more valuable to our companies, if only we had a systematic way of truly knowing what we have already learned.

To capitalize on your existing knowledge, you need to capture it and dedicate specific resources to synthesize it:

• Capture Existing Knowledge-you must acquire access to and organize information available throughout the organization (not just the information that Research manages) so that it can be integrated with research sources as these are applied to business needs.
• Synthesize Data-unlock the latent potential of past studies and organizational knowledge by implementing a formal synthesis process and integrating synthesis into researcher responsibilities.

For additional information on the synthesis process, take a look at these resources:

• Don’t Be Right, Be Interesting
• Knowing What we Know: 4 Steps to Begin a Synthesis Project
• Connecting the Dots—Using Kindergarten Tools to Build Narrative Synthesis
• 4 Steps to Selling Synthesis Insights

And tune back in soon for more information on communicating and embedding your knowledge throughout the organization.