Putting things in place and order is my power(1)

A book for children's self-esteem, 'I love myself'

'What is learned in the cradle is carried to the tomb.' Have you ever heard of this? This famous proverb represents that fixed habits are very difficult to be switched. On the other hand, if a decent habit is being formed from the early childhood, it continues to play an important role in our life. 

As an example, early developed children's habits, going to bed and waking up early, and not complaining about food quality, can bring a positive impact on later stages of adulthood's healthy life styles. Putting things in place and order is no less important than above types of habits.

If children's belongings are put in place correctly on an everyday basis, these belongings are easily found whenever necessary. Putting things in order is not only a way to cherish our belongings but also a way to love and respect ourselves. This habit can teach us how to live in a neat way and how to live ourselves more transparently with a neatly arranged mindset.

Knowledge Network is Power(13)

'Global Mando', Knowledge Network is Power

It is not too much to say that knowledge management will draw more and more attention from all types of organizations in the future. Definition of knowledge management can be different from one company to another. 

However, nobody argues that only the firm establishment of knowledge management can guarantee the survival of any given organization.

As showed above, Mando Corporation is one of the best role model for knowledge management. Undoubtedly, knowledge management resurrected a dishonored company into a highly promising star.

As Mr. Oh implied, without knowledge management, Mando may already have been liquidated. In this point of view, lessons from the story of Mando insist that knowledge management should be spread into every single part of a society.

Knowledge Network is Power(7)

'Global Mando', Knowledge Network is Power

These experts who have been at Mando more than 5 years are the holders of core technologies in their own R&D (Research and Development) area. They act as a go-between to disperse their knowledge into co-workers who join the development project.

In doing so, Mando shortened the required time for the development of new technology and invigorated R&D. At the same time, by stocking knowledge from community of practice activities, Mando encourages all employees see and learn the know-how of in-house experts. 

Mando's knowledge management does not just stay in sharing, utilizing and creating corporate knowledge. Rather, it advances to global network which ties foreign investors and partners together.

Knowledge Network is Power(6)

'Global Mando', Knowledge Network is Power

Let us talk about the intelligent car project for example, which was under development at that moment. The central research center was deeply involved in advanced development. 

In other words, the central research center mainly provided the concept of technology and devised necessary electronic and controlling technology. Furthermore, the center performed prototype tests as well.

In the meantime, once the quality and specifications of a product fixed, local research centers take the responsibility of mass production and after sale response.

Right after the development project of the intelligent car begins, in-house experts armed with related knowledge and experiences, immediately rush to the corporate research centers. 

Knowledge Network is Power(4)

'Global Mando', Knowledge Network is Power

In fact, Mr. Oh Sang Su, CEO and president of Mando in 2007, valued knowledge management as the indispensible part of the corporate operation.

"Mando's development history is totally attributed to knowledge management. Over the past 10 years, all employees of Mando are deeply involved in as many as 243 communities of practice, global conference system and e-campus. In doing so, all knowledge is shared and core competency has been strengthened."

He added, "Measuring the value of knowledge asset and converting it into numbers for the first time in Korea is also big fruits of knowledge management. As a matter of fact, knowledge management contributed Mando as much as 144.1 billion won including core knowledge asset value of 81.9 billion won over the last 7 years." 

Knowledge Network is Power(3)

'Global Mando', Knowledge Network is Power

In addition, Mando’s knowledge management is of great significance in Korean corporate sectors. Mando is the first Korean company which developed its own performance evaluation indexes and used it to measure how much knowledge management contributed to the corporate performance and how big the net value of key assets are. 

In doing so, Mando could manage the goals of knowledge management effectively. In the wake of Asian financial crisis back in 1997~1998, Mando went bankrupt and froze out all corporate expenditures. However, Mando didn’t stop investment in knowledge management.

As a result, Mando finally revived with 41 billion won in net profit in 2008. With high recognition of Mando's knowledge management, Korea's top business daily, MAEIL Business Newspaper and BOOZALLEN Korea awarded Mando the best prize in knowledge management in 2007.

Knowledge Network is Power(1)

'Global Mando', Knowledge Network is Power

It is no doubt that we are living in a knowledge-oriented society. Knowledge is considered one of the core competitiveness to companies, universities and even governments. 

That could explain why many organizations rush to adopt knowledge management and take subsequent steps to improve their capabilities in various ways.

In this regard, taking a look at a company which shows wonderful performance in knowledge management over the considerable amount of times serves as an opportunity to enlighten the importance of knowledge management in this fast-changing era once again. 

And as far as knowledge management concerns, Mando Corporation, unlisted, one of the top Korean auto parts supplier whose sales reached 1,575 billion won  in 2008, is sure to be the best example.