Importance of knowledge in a business

I have had a running argument with my tech-savvy friends about which invention has had the most significant impact on our social-economic progress.

My IT friends hold that the computer and generally the digital revolution has played the greatest role in ensuring we move from feudalism to the modern economy that we enjoy today. But I choose to differ.

I have always asserted that the greatest invention that gave mankind the greatest “leap forward” in terms of progress is the printing press. In 1439, Johannes Gutenberg, a German inventor, built the printing press and generally introduced publishing in Europe.

Before, books like the Bible were a preserve of Kings and rich aristocrats. Common people could not afford books and wallowed in ignorance and backwardness. But the printing press changed all that and knowledge spread creating progress globally.

Methinks knowledge is the most important thing in a business.

You might acquire state-of-art gadgets to run your business but if you want to progress, invest in a business knowledge management system. A good business owner never stops learning.

Knowledge enables you to identify and seize opportunities, it enables your business to thrive amid competition.

Knowledge helps you in forecasting the likelihood of a harmful event happening and putting in place systems to deal with them. Some say ignorance is bliss…what you don’t know can’t hurt you, right?

Definitely not in business. What you don’t know might spell doom for your business. Lack of knowledge will make you fall.

Try knowing more about your business and the industry that incubates you and you will always be on top.