#95: Use knowledge to be valued

The difference between data and information is that information is data in a format that can be used to make decisions. And knowledge? Knowledge is information in action.

Look at it this way: Information is normally based on factual and quantifiable data. Information always means something, but is often worthless. Its true value lies in its practical usefulness. The way I see it, your knowledge is the range of information which comes with your experience.

However, for knowledge to be useful, it must be used and it must be used now. Knowledge valued as useful today may not be judged as useful tomorrow. Things change and over time knowledge can lose its relevance and become mere information again.

This is why I warn knowledge-workers not to sit on their knowledge, but to use it now. If you don’t, then you are not being useful and won’t be worth much to any organization for very long.


I’m james@nonsenseatwork.com

Copyright: 2007 James Henry McIntosh

James can be heard on Public Radio, 88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA.
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