Post on 31-Mar-2015
Removing the barriers to collaborative network development amongst cluster stakeholders
Brno 30 May 2005Ifor Ffowcs-Williams
Cluster Navigators LtdNew Zealand
Business Culture
“The key problem for small firmsis not their size, but their isolation”
Seminar - Local Systems of Small Firms and Job Creation
OECD Paris
Ensuring private sector ownership, leadership
of the clustering initiative
“Innovation Norway owns and directs
the project”
Innovation Mountain Tourism Cluster, Norway
Gaining broad agreement on the cluster’s strategic directionThe Preferred Future
Establishing a stretch challenge
Carefully definethe cluster
1. Move from generic descriptors, e.g.:• Food & beverages• IT• Light manufacturing• Biotech
2. Avoid broad regions• Western CZ
1. Identify specific competencies: • Airline catering• Wireless software• Tableware• Animal remedies
2. Narrow boundaries• Karlovy Vary
Opening up communications within the cluster
• Web sites, Newsletters• Cluster directory …who’s who?• Regular meetings with social time
• At company premises• Workshops to establish common
agendas• Establishment of temporary task forces
• Competitors joint addressing common roadblocks, opportunities
Early benchmarking visits
• Team visits to related clusters• Especially more dynamic clusters in other
countries
• Opportunities for joint learning, the development of joint action
• Provides ‘Data shocks’ • Drives early action, and team engagement
Moving early into action
• Portfolio of initiatives, projects• Spread risks, and benefits
• Not wish lists for other people’s action
• Pick the ‘low hanging fruit’• Ensure early benefits to cluster
stakeholders
Just do it!
Don’t allow paralysis by analysis
• Businesses, especially SMEs, seek early pay-offs• Prioritise by passion• Move at the speed of business• Analysis simply provides the platform for
action
Developing one-stop-service centres
E.g Biella, Italy Whole-of-government support
1. Specialised support for the textile cluster:• Training• Export market information• Applied research• Know-how transfer
2. Provides a neutral meeting place
Co-location of firmsEyeballing, not emailing
• Enables subcontracting, outsourcing• Incubators• Science / Technology parks• Coffee shops as meeting places• Common physical infrastructure
• E.g. effluent management• Specialised logistics e.g. cool storage
IncubatordevelopmentCape Town, South AfricaHome for IT start-ups
Developing the cluster’s brand Creating social glue, togethernessA visual icon
Udine chair cluster Italy
Developing the cluster’s brand Creating social glue, togethernessA visual icon
Udine chair cluster Italy
The cluster’s logoOceans AdvanceNewfoundland
Video conferencingBetween related but remote clusters
• Sharing similarities, exploring differences, making initial contacts
• In Australia, telephone savvy participants
• But to-date limited commercial interaction
Cluster facilitatorsKey change agents
Kalgoorlie Australia
Hawke’s BayNew Zealand
Facilitator’s neutral corner
• Facilitating linkages:• Between firms• Between government agencies
• Continually moving the development agenda forward
• Requires long term public funding• And high level facilitation skills
Facilitator’s activityBuilding block: 1 on 1 communication
• Building knowledge of the key players• Core firms• Support firms• Soft infrastructure
• Facilitator active in the initial cluster analysis…not contracted out
• Forming alliances, special interest groups as well as cluster-wide initiatives
Cluster workshopsIdentifying development priorities
• A key element in the cluster process, transparent
• Gaining broad agreement on cluster’s strategy
• Captures hearts and minds
• And motivates volunteers to take action
Empower private sector leadership
• Early (and careful) establishment of the cluster’s Leadership Group• Build around the players, not the
spectators• Empower private sector CEOs• Build on their strengths, resources,
connections• Establish project teams, self-destruct
task forces
Cluster developmentNeeds more than solo players & a magic wand!
Ifor Ffowcs-WilliamsCluster Navigators Ltd
New Zealand
E4@clusternavigators.com+644 388 1449
www.clusternavigators.com