Why Use Knowledge Base Software?

Give your customers the ability to answer frequently asked questions, access how-to videos, or download forms, while at the same time increasing your business efficiency and decreasing employee costs. How? Easy, use knowledge base software. A well-designed knowledge base management system can act as a self-serve information resource for both customers and employees.

What is a knowledge base system?
Basically, a knowledge base management system is a place for storing information that can be organized, searched, shared, and used for multiple purposes.

For example, let's say your new online business is inundated with customer queries and support requests. In addition, your support teams often need to scramble to find the most up-to-date information and resources to solve the customer's problem.

Using knowledge base software, you can build an effective online resource allowing customers to access the information they need whenever they need it, therefore reducing the number of support calls. A constantly updated system would also allow all employees instant access to the same knowledge, eliminating the frustration of searching multiple places for information that may or may not be current.

How can knowledge base software decrease costs?
Allowing the customer 24/7 access to information and instructional videos is less costly for your business than finding, training, and paying employees to staff the phones 24 hours a day. It can also help reduce the learning curve for new employees by storing the information they need in a searchable database.

Add instructional videos and both the customer and new employee can quickly learn the benefits of your product or service, how to assemble a product, ways to return merchandise, or what other products or services might complement the selected item. This reduces employee time answering queries and reduces training costs as customer service representatives can educate themselves on a number of procedures.

What information should a knowledge base system contain?
A knowledge base system should contain as much relevant information as possible to be useful for the people accessing the system.  Remember, the knowledge base system is intended to act as a resource for the reader, so defining who the reader might be is crucial. The language you use and the information you provide may differ depending on whether you are addressing a customer or a sales representative.

Consider organizing the information into different levels of complexity for certain topics. For example, your customers will likely be interested in the "how to" of a topic, while a support technician will also need to know the "why." Business or technology jargon may be appropriate for a technical representative, but not for the layman trying to find the answer to a basic question.

Don't forget to ask for feedback!
A knowledge base system can allow customers to rate your knowledge articles and leave comments. This means that the business can stay on top of what information consumers need. Encouraging feedback also makes the customer feel vested in your business, an important way to promote loyalty and increase customer satisfaction.

Finally
Just keep two things in mind when designing your knowledge base system: know your reader and make every key word searchable. Customers that can find answers to their questions quickly are going to be left with a favorable impression of your business. And that translates to an increase in customer loyalty and retention.

Author Bio
David Miller is an educational researcher who has vast experience in the field of teaching, Online testing and training. He is associated with prestigious universities and many leading educational research organizations. He’s also an ed-tech veteran, currently pursuing research in new Knowledge base software, and is a contributing author with ProProfs.

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Sharing Knowledge within Your Business

The knowledge that your company has internally is incredibly useful if applied and shared among your staff. With this knowledge you can improve your sales and employee satisfaction and reach a wider customer base. But the key is sharing the knowledge sources you have. You do not want to make the mistake of withholding knowledge in your business, or limiting knowledge to only a handful of people. If only three people have knowledge on a certain topics and one quits, and another retires, then you are left with only one. You want to establish efficient ways to share your knowledge within your company.

Knowledge Sharing
You might already conduct staff meetings as a place to share knowledge but you should not limit yourself. Try holding brainstorming sessions where your employees are free to share ways they think the company could improve. Hold an innovative workshop where employees can share ideas about how to improve practice. You should also create a knowledge bank where information is held and steps for administering tasks are held. This can be placed on a private company network where staff can post new suggestions or ideas regularly.

Knowledge Management
Technology, when used to share knowledge within a company, must be carefully managed and channeled. You might want to designate the role of knowledge manager and assign it to a senior manager. You can also offer incentives for employees that post new suggestions in order to encourage knowledge sharing. And of course, never underestimate the importance of training in order to share knowledge within your company.

Creating a Knowledge Strategy
Of course your company will want to get the most from the knowledge you have. And to do this you need to create a strategy for discovering and sharing your knowledge. You should write out the guidelines that can be applied throughout your company. In order for your company to enjoy an effective strategy, your senior managers must commit to the strategy and must familiarize themselves with the benefits associated with it. You can talk to them about how to use the knowledgebase software and how to collect it, and then appoint one manager to be the knowledge manager for your company. When you are creating your knowledge strategy you need to consider the current level of effectiveness your company has with using knowledge. You also need to analyze the internal processes you have for collecting and sharing knowledge. Ask yourself if you currently have successful ways of generating ideas and if your staff is aware of what is going on. Make sure that you integrate this knowledge strategy into your business strategy, because it is a continuing process that should be central to your business goals. It is important that you identify how valuable your knowledge is to your company. Try and figure out what your company can gain financially from your knowledge. You might be able to develop a new product or license intellectual property or even gain a bigger market share. Whatever you decide be sure that it fits within your business plan.

Gaining and Managing Knowledge
There are many ways in which your company can gain and manage new knowledge. Information technology is one of the biggest tools you have at your disposal in this regard. Some systems are time consuming and others are complex but there are sure to be a few that fit within your business and can improve your business without being too time consuming. You might consider a database or a data warehouse. Your company might prefer to use data mining techniques or use reporting and querying tools. Whatever you decide make sure that it fits within your company’s business plan and goals.


Author Bio:
David Miller is an educational researcher, involved in the fields of teaching and online learning. He is associated with prestigious universities and many leading educational research organizations. As an ed-tech veteran, his area of research also includes new technologies for online training such as Online Survey Software. Currently David is experimenting with flipped classroom models and ProProfs.

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Car Buying Tips: How Knowledge Of The Auto Industry Could Help You Get The Best Bang For Your Buck In 2014

Buying an auto for the first time is a little overwhelming, but if you know what you want, getting an ideal vehicle is easy shopping. Whether your choice is a convertible or a sedan, finding a good used car is best done from a dealer that sale all kind of cars with a large selection. Buying a car from a dealer offering discount prices on a wide range of models is ideal. as this simply could lead to getting a car at an affordable price.

Looking at the Auto Industry in it's Current State

Used autos aid consumers in stretching budgets, offering cars at big reductions. The market is competitive so dealers are always offering incentives, aiming to entice customers into trying their brands. Foreign and domestic cars are available, with most brands being highly reliable. Car replacement parts are becoming readily available with the recycling of junk vehicles. This is important to people with used cars and creates a means of renewing classic cars.

Experienced car buyers keep a sharp eye out for problems. There are magazines and Web sites that allow a more informed check on a vehicle but it never hurts to have your personal mechanic look at a car. Some used cars are certified and provided with an added warranty. These cars are nearly new and a great savings for a buyer interested in added assurances as to the reliability of the vehicle.

Evolution of Women and Automotives

More women are buying cars than ever and many are becoming more aware of the operation of the inner operations of cars. Some are taking classes and shows are addressing the issue of car care targeted towards the female population. Many women work outside the home or are single and need reliable transportation.

Evolution and Growth within the Auto Industry

Cars are becoming smaller and the hybrids are picking up sales. Retailers are slowly installing places for these energy efficient autos to recharge. These vehicles operate on both electricity and fossil fuel, and are appealing to the environmentally conscious buyer. Cars are available for every lifestyle. Some prefer trucks or SUV transportation. Cargo space is the factor. This causes some to choose vans or vehicles with large carrying space.

Families often need more than one car. Kids grow up and everyone seems to go in a different direction. Dealers selling well-maintained cars, reasonably priced are usually successful. Economy cars are attractive to the public due to the price of fuel but less fuel-efficient cars still hold a market because of their capacity and comfort. However, most styles have some form of vehicle that increases gas efficiency.

Auto Brands, Styles & Finding a Good Deal

Auto brands and styles are everywhere but finding the right price in a reliable used car is not always easy. Car repair is not a cheap expense and sometimes finding the correct part at a reasonable price is time consuming. However, a new car bypasses these problems but a hefty price is paid for the convenience. The best alternative is to find a dealer with everything you need in a car including a reputable service department. Big buyers have huge inventories with practically every make of car any buyer can imagine. The selections are overwhelming. Get an auto way below the original sticker price.

Obtaining both foreign and domestic cars is an easier purchase. Many manufacturing brands have locations in the US and Europe reducing the cost of cars that may have proved financially out of reach for some buyers with added taxes and shipping fees. Buyers may find getting these cars in a used car market more accessible. This adds to the list of automobile choices available to an auto buyer. The auto is an intricate part of a family. It is the right of passage with many young people and a necessity if moving conveniently from one point in a community to another is important to you. It is now possible to find cars in a wide range of ways. Newspapers and flyer's are still a source but Web sites are also a search option that includes lots of information.

Buying an auto can be convenient when searching online. Sit home in your spare time and match colors, interiors and horsepower. Search gas mileage capacity and any other feature you may desire. Contact the dealer so when you step into a dealership you know exactly what you are looking for. If you are a browser, this is fine.

Alexia Journer is a P.R specialist from Long Island, NY who has a passion for writing and is an avid learner when it comes to personal development. Current, she helps a cash for cars service based out of New York, market their brand online through Search Engine Marketing and Social Media.

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