How much knowledge does a company lose when an experienced employee leaves?
- Fernando Arévalo
- Jun 14
- 2 min read
How much knowledge is lost when someone leaves the company, retires, or simply closes their computer without documenting what they have learnt?
We live in a business world where change is constant, talent is mobile, and information is abundant. However, paradoxically, many companies continue to operate as if knowledge were an invisible resource. They have it, but they do not manage it.
Managing knowledge is not just about saving documents in the cloud or archiving manuals on a hard drive. It involves creating a culture where knowledge flows, is shared and improved, and is used to make better decisions.
This involves identifying what people know — often they are not even aware of it — organising it, making it available to those who need it, and turning it into a competitive advantage.
Although we sometimes think that the dynamics of the private sector are unique, the truth is that knowledge management is just as vital in NGOs, universities and government institutions. All organisations, regardless of their size or nature, face similar challenges, such as staff turnover, loss of key information, undocumented processes, and knowledge remaining in silos. Implementing a knowledge management strategy is not a corporate luxury; it is a cross-cutting necessity that ensures continuity, transparency, innovation and effectiveness in any environment.
Who should be involved?
Leadership. Without their support, any strategy remains on paper. They are the ones who shape the knowledge culture.
Human talent. Because they must promote spaces for learning, mentoring and knowledge transfer.
Collaborators. They are the true bearers of tacit knowledge: what they have learned by doing.
Technology. Digital platforms, intranets, databases, artificial intelligence... everything counts if it is aligned with the culture.
More than indicators or reports, what is gained is organizational resilience, speed of response, better work climate and continuous learning. Companies that manage their knowledge well survive crises better, adapt faster and maintain their competitive advantage.
Whether you are a leader, technician, communicator or talent manager: knowledge management is not the task of one, it is the responsibility of all. Let's start with something as simple as documenting a process, sharing a success story or opening a conversation to learn together.
Because in an era of accelerated change, it is not who knows the most who wins, but who learns the fastest. And for that, knowledge has to move.
Does your company already have a knowledge management strategy? What best practices have worked where you work? I'll read you in the comments
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