A Knowledge Cafe typically lasts between one and three hours depending on its format. They can be run for as few as 15 people or as many as 100, possibly more.
Although a basic Cafe can be run in as little as 1 hour, I also run them with a longer than normal introductory talk on the chosen theme and give a fuller description of the Cafe; its philosophy and its benefits. These sessions might last for 2 - 3 hours.
You will find more information about Knowledge Cafes on other areas of this site. But here is a brief resume.
A Knowledge Cafe is designed to engage people with a subject or theme. I start with a short talk on a theme, maybe as little as ten minutes (though it could be a longer 30-45 minutes talk) and then pose one or two open ended questions for the participants. They then break into groups to discuss the theme and questions and then reconvene as a large group to finish off with a large group discussion. The Cafe is not about debate or making decisions but about gaining a better mutual understanding of a topic or issue.
Gurteen Community Cafes
I run Gurteen Knowledge Cafes publically for members of my community regularly in London and other cities around the world but I also run them in-house for organizations and at conferences for event organizers.
Knowledge Cafes within Organizations
I run Knowledge Cafes in-house for organizations. This is often as part of an internal conference or workshop - typically where the organization involved is looking to encourage dialogue between cross-functional groups and are working to encourage people to start to think more about collaborating and sharing their knowledge.
I have, for example, run in-house Knowledge Cafes for the British National Health Service, British Telecom, The British Council, National Audit Office (UK), the British Dental Assocation and Kennedy Van der Laan (a Dutch law firm).
Conference Cafes
I run Conference Cafes at public and private conferences for event organizers. These Cafes can be designed around a theme pertinent to the conference.
Knowledge Cafe Workshops
I also run Knowledge Cafe Workshops that teach people how to run their own Knowledge Cafes.
I am an avid networker. I naturally love to help people to 'make their knowledge productive'. If you think I could help, I am more then happy to take the occasional phone call or e-mail or meet for lunch though clearly I charge for more substantial consulting, coaching or other support.
If you would like to talk or learn more about any of my services
then please contact me.
The Gurteen Knowledge Community is a global learning community
of over 17,000 people in 160 countries across the world.
The community is for people who are committed to making a difference:
people who wish to share and learn from each other and who strive to see
the world differently, think differently and act differently.
Membership of the Gurteen Knowledge Community is free.
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. What is Knowledge Management? Shot at ECKM 2006 in Budapest in September 2006.
