^Tracking knowhow
3
1
research
Appetite for information
Along with 'customer focus', 'knowledge-driven' is perhaps one of the most overworked
phrases in Rabobank International s comparatively brief history.
But what exactly does it mean? How does knowledge drive our
strategy and, more importantly, our actions? Is it a hollow
marketing slogan? Or do we - as an organization - really have J
the wealth of knowledge and the essential ability to manage
it? The answer to this last question is a resounding yes. So much
so, that we found there is so much going on in all three elements
needed to create a knowledge-driven organization that we've had to split this particular
special in two.This month focuses on the first element - research and knowledge that is
^^resent throughout the network. Next issue will look dosely at the second one, how we use
global IT to support the third element, the management of that knowledge. It will give
practical insight into what will be available and when.
Obviously, by calling ourselves a knowledge-driven
organization, we take the availability of resources and
constant improvements to our knowledge base seriously. As
proof of our conviction, various branches network-wide
have centralized their own research facilities and created
fully fledged information centres to feed the network's
increasing appetite for information.
Singapore's library
Mine of information
What we've tried to do is give you an overview of the kind and variety of research carried out
by various international Rabobankers around the world. Who is doing
what and where. But we've also made a hit list for you of people
with very specific expertise. And, as a customer focused
organization, we have not forgotten the dient. We have a variety
of ways of making our research available to the customer -
through FAR studies and the conferences we organize for F&A. And
through our research teams on the investment banking side - biotech
equity research is just one of the groups working on the health care sector.
What'sNewS Issue 11 November 1998 ~J
Let's face it, there is little
positive to say about the crisis
facing Southeast Asia. But,
Hnce the turmoil lias
necessitated the need for up-
to-date information, it has
become the driving force
behind Singapore branch's
research initiatives. The
Singapore-based regional
research team for Southeast
Asia (Malaysia, Thailand,
Vietnam, the Philippines and
Singapore) consists of Edgare
Kerkwijk and Lee Chin Tuck.
Functioning as the regional
office for the Southeast Asian
area, Singapore's access to
information is considered top
priority. 'The information has
always been there,' eomments
library founder, Edgare
Kerkwijk, 'but previously it
was scattered over depart-
ments within the region. We
needed to centralize it,
especially in light of the
region's recent currency crisis.'
And, it seems, they are on the
right track. As a result of the
turmoil, most departments
have seen a dramatic decline in
the demand for some banking
products, while the need for
research has not only increased
but become vitally important.
Singapore's research team was
formed back in August 1997.
The library basics were esta-
blished and in less than five
months Singapore's library and
accompanying research team
are now equipped to provide
tailor-made information for all
commercial departments,
regional offices and supporting
divisions. Their services also
extend to other offices in the
RI network needing region-
specific information. The lib
rary has a mine of research
material, from reports both
internal and external - to
electronic databases and
Bloomberg and Reuters
systems. 'All staff have access
to up-to-date information on
the constantly changing situa-
tion in this region,' continues
Kerkwijk. 'And for additional
support, we are providing self-
help courses that demonstrate
the information available and
how to access it.'
Singapore's library providing a platform for knowledge sharing
