11 Knowledge Sharing Topics for Effective Team Sessions

While it's often said that some meetings could just be emails, the truth is not all can.

Team sessions are the bedrock of knowledge sharing in organizations and help build a cohesive unit — especially in this remote-work age. Yet, if your team is tuning out rather than tuning in, it's a signal to recalibrate your approach. 

A team session needs to be more than a checkbox on a weekly calendar. With Gartner highlighting that 47% of digital workers find it hard to access information necessary for their jobs, the cost of poor knowledge sharing is not just a matter of disengagement, but also a tangible impact on your profits.

This article outlines 11 compelling knowledge-sharing topics designed to revitalize team sessions and encourage open communication. 

How Do You Share Knowledge in a Team?

In any team, sharing knowledge is key to overcoming challenges and hitting goals. It taps into the collective expertise of the group, turning individual know-how into a shared resource. 

There are many ways to make information a one-for-all thing in your workplace. Here are a few examples:

• Casual conversations: Quick, informal discussions, like a morning catch-up or coffee break chats, where team members can share insights casually and without the pressure of having to report their work progress.

• Email update: Weekly round-up emails or newsletters summarizing key points from various teams and ensuring everyone is on the same page.

• Knowledge sharing platforms: Tools like Assembly, Confluence, or SharePoint where documents are stored and are easily accessible for all.

• Knowledge repositories: A central database where you keep past project files and case studies, like a company wiki. Organizations that excel in knowledge transfer testify that 80% of their workers find it easy to access such repositories, in contrast to only 51% in other organizations.

• Incentives for sharing: 37% of employees report the lack of incentives as a barrier to effective knowledge management. To address this, you can set up a rewards system that acknowledges those who actively share useful information or help others. This could be through a simple thank-you in team meetings, points towards a prize, or even a spotlight in a company newsletter. 

• Structured knowledge sharing sessions: These are regularly scheduled meetings with a clear agenda for discussing projects, innovations, or training. Here, a speaker might share a recent success story, providing a live example of knowledge sharing in action.

Using these sharing methods can help fix problems like messy info and knowledge silos.

Next, we'll attempt to address one of the most challenging questions regarding knowledge sharing within organizations: What Are Good Topics for Knowledge Sharing?

But first…

What Is a Knowledge Sharing Session?

A knowledge sharing session is when people in a company meet to exchange what they know. It's like a team huddle where everyone shares tips, stories, and ideas. These sessions help build a team where sharing knowledge with others is a regular part of the job.

Examples of knowledge sharing team sessions include:

• Brainstorming sessions: Where everyone throws out ideas to solve a problem.
• Lunch and Learn: Casual meet-ups over lunch where someone shares expertise on a topic.
• Training workshops: Hands-on sessions to learn new skills or software together.
• 'Failure forums': A space where team members can share experiences of what didn’t work. This helps create an environment where even failures contribute to collective learning and resilience.
• Show-and-tell meetings: People take turns showing how they do something well or explaining something they’ve learned that week.

These sessions create a knowledge sharing culture where everyone can contribute and learn from each other.

A typical knowledge sharing session is structured but flexible. However, it usually involves:

• Opening: A quick introduction by the session leader where they lay out the agenda.
• Sharing segment: Team members take turns to speak on their areas of expertise or recent experiences relevant to the team’s work.
• Interactive discussion: The floor opens for questions, comments, and discussions.
• Collaborative activities: Sometimes, there might be group activities like brainstorming, problem-solving tasks, or just games.
• Wrap-up: The session ends with a summary of important points and possibly action items for the team.

What are the benefits of a knowledge sharing session?

Knowledge sharing sessions help tackle the costly issue of information silos, which can bleed a whopping $47 million from a large company's coffers every year​​. On a personal level, they reclaim valuable time — up to 3.6 hours per day per employee spent just searching for information​​.

Plus, these sessions are antidotes to collaboration woes. With 86% of employees citing poor teamwork as the root of workplace failures​​ and 39% feeling their company doesn't collaborate enough​​, it's clear that encouraging an environment of shared team knowledge can lead to more success.

With these in mind, focusing on what gets shared in these sessions is essential.

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The next part of our discussion will focus on identifying the topics that hold the most value for knowledge sharing within team sessions.

What Are Good Topics for Knowledge Sharing?

We've seen the benefits of knowledge sharing and the staggering cost of poor knowledge sharing, but it's one thing to know the value and another to put it into practice. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started/ getting people to open up and exchange what they know.

Effective knowledge sharing topics can jumpstart this process. They draw on common experiences and encourage interest in new areas. 

So, what makes a topic worth bringing to the table? It should be something that stops the financial bleed, something that brings people together, working smarter not harder. 

Here are some examples of knowledge sharing topics for effective team sessions:

1. Industry trends and innovations

Sharing knowledge in the workplace goes beyond just talking about the day-to-day. It also involves keeping the team clued in on the big picture stuff, like what's hot in the industry and the next big thing that's brewing. 

For example, if you're in tech, it could be the latest in artificial intelligence or a new coding language that's picking up steam.

2. Project update and lessons learned

Team knowledge sharing also involves looking back at what you've all been doing. You're not just patting yourselves on the back for a job well done but also about figuring out where things got sticky or blocked. 

Say a team just wrapped up a project—what worked? What was a headache? Sharing this can help the team do better next time.

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Read: Why Your Team Needs Retrospective Meetings & How To Run Them

3. Cross-training and Skill Development

Cross-training means sharing knowledge or skills across different roles. Cross-training ensures everyone in your team has an idea about one or two roles outside theirs. It also keeps things fresh.

Imagine a graphic designer teaching basic design principles to the sales team, so they get the visuals just right in their pitches, or a project manager sharing the secrets of a well-oiled project timeline with everyone on the team. That’s cross-training.

4. Problem-solving workshops

Problem-solving workshops are a hands-on approach to knowledge sharing in the workplace. These sessions bring team members (sometimes supervised by a neutral guide) together to dissect and solve problems, such as complicated customer issues or clunky workflows.

The perks of these workshops are two-fold: they double as team-building exercises and offer hands-on learning of new problem-solving techniques.

5. Best Practices and workflows

In these sessions, team members swap tips on what's working well. It's a chance to highlight those 'aha' moments that made tasks easier or more effective. 

For instance, maybe there’s a fresh approach to managing client portfolios. Maybe it’s one that’s cut down on errors. 

Sharing these insights helps everyone level up their work game. It’s a core part of knowledge sharing best practices—finding and discussing the smart, efficient ways we do our jobs.

6. Personal development and career goals

Personal growth is important for motivation. These sessions can be a time when folks share their career paths or personal development stories, like how a manager climbed the ladder or how a team member learned a new skill that helped them get ahead.

It is also a time for your team members to share their career objectives and plans for their future.

7. Knowledge transfer and onboarding

Smooth onboarding is key to getting new hires up to speed. Sharing stories about first days, how-to guides for essential software, or tips on navigating company culture can make all the difference. You can also use tools, like knowledge sharing software, to help pass on company info to new folks.

8. Success stories and achievements

Nothing boosts a team's morale like hearing about wins—big or small. Whether it's landing a tough client, a successful product launch, or even personal milestones like completing a certification, sharing these moments can inspire and motivate everyone to aim high and celebrate each other's successes.

Read: 25 Excellent Ways to Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day

9. Feedback and continuous improvement 

Creating a space for open feedback is crucial for growth. In these sessions, teams can discuss what's working and what's not, from daily processes to workplace strategies.

Using knowledge sharing tools can help streamline this process, making it easier to collect and analyze feedback for ongoing improvements. This continuous loop of feedback and action helps keep the team evolving and staying ahead of the curve.
Read: Let's Talk Retention: The Benefits of Employee Feedback

10. Customer insights and market analysis

Sharing insights about customers and market trends is vital for staying ahead. This could involve discussing customer feedback, analyzing market shifts, or examining competitors' strategies and how to counter them. It creates healthy competition and drives your team towards a common goal.

11. Health and wellness in the workplace

Focusing on health and wellness can be a refreshing topic for knowledge sharing. This might include discussions on maintaining work-life balance, stress management techniques, or sharing experiences with healthy workplace practices. Such sessions can lead to improved overall well-being of the team, creating a more productive work environment.

These topics are just one half of the puzzle; you are the other half. How you introduce and engage with these topics during team sessions can make a real difference. Approach each topic with openness and encourage participation from all team members. Create a safe space for sharing, where ideas and experiences are valued.

Want to learn other ways to enhance your team's sessions? Check out "39 Best Knowledge Sharing Questions For Your Questionnaires" for great ideas to get the conversation flowing.

PS: Don't forget, knowledge sharing platforms can help facilitate these knowledge sharing sessions. 

Assembly offers a suite of features that make organizing, documenting, and following up on these discussions seamless. It’s easy-to-use, modern, and secure intranet makes communication, collaboration, and engagement more efficient. Some features that might interest you include:

• Keeping the team updated: With Assembly, you can easily push important announcements, updates, and information to your employees to make sure everyone is informed and aligned.
• Access to critical information: Assembly makes it simple for your team to find essential documents, procedures, and details, saving time and streamlining operations.
• Efficient storage and employee recognition: Assembly serves as a secure hub for storing internal communication and recognition data. It not only encourages team members to share knowledge but also celebrates their contributions.
• Customizable reward system: Our platform's reward system makes knowledge sharing more appealing and offers tangible incentives for employee contributions.
• Real-time feedback: Assembly enables immediate feedback and makes knowledge exchange more dynamic and responsive.
• Social engagement features: It promotes a community-driven approach to knowledge sharing, with features like shoutouts, comments, and likes.
• Seamless integration with other tools: Assembly can integrate smoothly with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace and combine them in one unified platform​​.

These features can play a crucial role in how you broach and handle these knowledge sharing topics during team sessions, so each session is productive and engaging.

10 Q&A on Effective Team Knowledge Sharing Sessions:

1. How can I ensure that the chosen topics are relevant and engaging for my team?

Consider your team's current challenges, interests, and goals. Conduct surveys or hold informal discussions to gauge their learning preferences and identify knowledge gaps.

2. How often should knowledge sharing sessions be held?

Frequency depends on your team's dynamics and workload. Weekly or bi-weekly sessions are common, but adjust based on the amount of information to share and your team's availability.

3. What are some strategies to encourage participation from all team members, especially those who are initially hesitant to share?

Create a safe and supportive environment. Utilize anonymous surveys or breakout groups for initial contributions. Encourage active listening and acknowledge participation beyond just presenting.

4. How can I effectively document the key takeaways from each session for future reference?

Utilize collaboration tools like Assembly to document discussions, store recordings, and share summaries. Encourage note-taking and create a central knowledge repository for easy access.

5. How can I measure the success of our knowledge sharing sessions?

Monitor engagement metrics like attendance, participation levels, and feedback surveys. Analyze the impact on team collaboration, problem-solving, and project outcomes.

6. What are some additional resources I can explore for further guidance on facilitating knowledge sharing sessions?

Explore online resources and workshops on topics like team building, communication, and knowledge management. Consider industry best practices and seek advice from experienced facilitators.

7. How can I overcome resistance from team members who believe knowledge sharing might make them seem less valuable or replaceable?

Emphasize the benefits of collective knowledge for everyone's growth and success. Frame knowledge sharing as a collaborative effort, not individual competition.

8. How can I adapt these knowledge sharing practices for a remote or hybrid work environment?

Utilize online collaboration tools like video conferencing platforms, shared documents, and knowledge management software. Encourage virtual knowledge cafes or breakout rooms to facilitate interaction.

9. What are some additional knowledge sharing topics beyond the 11 listed in the article?

Consider industry-specific or role-specific topics, such as sharing best practices for using new software, customer case studies, or insights from attending conferences or training sessions.

10. How can I ensure knowledge sharing becomes an ongoing practice, not just a one-time event?

Integrate knowledge sharing into your team culture. Encourage informal knowledge sharing through casual conversations, buddy systems, or mentorship programs. Celebrate success stories and recognize individuals who actively contribute to the team's knowledge base.

Enjoy Better Team Sessions with Assembly

Knowledge sharing is a vital component of a thriving, collaborative, and innovative workplace. By carefully selecting topics based on the needs of your team, you can encourage open dialogue and build an environment where knowledge is not just shared but also celebrated.

With a tool like Assembly, this process becomes easier and more effective.

In conclusion, always prioritize knowledge sharing within and outside your teams, observe your efforts, tweak accordingly.

And yes, use Assembly.

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