2012 KM Blog In Review

In 2012 I wrote about many topics. These topics started with a series of posts looking at Knowledge Management (KM) in Specific Industries (first looking at KM in Customer Service Centers); followed by KM in Research Institutions, Talent Management, the Legal Profession, the Military, and KM applied to Disaster Response (First Responders). All of these industries and more will be explored and analyzed in detail in my next book Knowledge Management in Practice. I also explored Aligning KM and ITIL pointing out the connections between the two and identifying the gaps ITIL has when it comes to KM. Other blog posts included examining The Case for Developing an Enterprise Information Architecture (a catalyst for focused enterprise search and findability of content and knowledge), Creating a Winning' NSF SBIR Phase I & Phase II Proposal (a synopsis of my webinar I conducted through Principle Investigators), Power Directed ("If Knowledge is Power then Knowledge Management is Power Directed"), Anatomy of a KM Project (by Guest Blogger Bruce Fransen). I concluded the 2012 Knowledge Management Depot postings with Are you Maintaining Your Taxonomy, KM Program vs KM Project, and Components of a KM Strategic Plan (The Strategic Plan is what all organizations should start with before executing a KM initiative).
So, there you have it! I believe I presented some pertinent topics and some solutions within the Knowledge Management discipline, If you missed any of my blog posts in 2012 feel free to go back, review and make comments. I look forward to more guest bloggers in 2013 and more relevant and current topics that give insight on where KM will be heading in 2013!

Creating a "Winning" NSF SBIR Proposal

Today I had the pleasure of presenting "How to Produce a Winning NSF SBIR Phase I and Phase II Proposal". This webinar was conducted through the Principle Investigators Association. The webinar focused on what it takes to produce a viable National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I and Phase II proposal.

A synopsis of the webinar is as follows:

The primary objective of the NSF SBIR Phase I and Phase II Programs is to increase the incentive and opportunity for small firms to undertake cutting-edge, high-risk, high-quality scientific, engineering, or science research that would have a high-potential economic payoff if the research is successful. That’s pretty clear.

Unfortunately, producing SBIR Phase I and Phase II proposals isn’t as straightforward as we would like, and many scientists struggle with crafting an effective proposal. Some key questions scientists are faced with include: What level of detail should be included in a SBIR Phase I and Phase II proposal? What are the key differentiators the Review Panelist and Program Directors look for? How do timing, market dynamics and strength of personnel affect proposal outcomes? And, which category should my proposal be submitted under?

As proposals are reviewed, each reviewer focuses on the following:

1.   Is the project innovative, is there enough revenue that will come from it to justify a potential return to the tax payer over time in jobs and taxes. Are there any great social benefits to be obtained that may reduce our concern for complete commercialization?

2.   Is their significant risk in the project that would prevent copycats from jumping in? Are their barriers to entry or can any John or Jane Doe replicate the business with a few $100K? If so, then that would beg the questions as to why the government should invest a million.

3.   Is the innovation sustainable with private sector funding after the project is complete?  The government is reluctant to get into situations that require additional funding beyond the million for the company to begin commercialization.  We are concerned that the company has the resources or capabilities to effectively commercialize.

To know more about the NSF SBIR Program click on the following link: NSF SBIR Solicitation. To obtain details about the webinar and/or your copy of the webinar contact the Principle Investigator Association by selecting: "How to Produce a Winning NSF SBIR Phase I and Phase II Proposal"   

I look forward to your comments.