Ifor Ffowcs-Williams – Course Content
Cluster development is a centre-stage strategy across Europe and now in Australia and Canada, with regions identifying and focusing on their smart specialisations.
This EDNZ one-day training course introduces the practicalities of regional cluster development in today’s global environment. The What? and The Why? of cluster development will be covered, with emphasis on The How? … practicalities in resourcing and implementing a smart specialisation initiative in NZ.
An overview of Twelve Steps in developing a cluster’s ecosystem will be presented, with a Fast Track for early engagement. Highlights will include identifying and prioritising regional clusters, establishing a cluster’s Ignition Team, connecting clusters and cluster governance. The activities and characteristics of cluster managers will be discussed. This will be training-by-doing with frequent breakouts.
Effective cluster development requires a team approach. Smart specialisation initiatives are strengthened through close partnerships with national agencies (NZTE, Callaghan, MBIE, PGF) and regional business support organisations (EDAs, chambers, industry associations, incubators, universities, polytechnics, CRIs). This course will be of relevance to all.
A complimentary copy of Ifor’s 240-page Cluster Development Handbook will be forwarded to participants ahead of the training.
Auckland, 3 September – (GridAKL/John Lysaght, 101 Pakenham St W, Wynyard Quarter)
Hamilton, 27 August – (Claudelands)
Wellington, 29 August – (Area Events, 1 O’Reily Ave, Te Aro)
Christchurch, 10 September – (Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, 2 Worcester Blvd)
Dunedin, 12 September – (Dunedin Centre, 1 Harrop St)
International cluster examples will be used that are appropriate for each region. All courses are 10 am to 5 pm. Cost for non-EDNZ members: $540, Individual Members of EDNZ: $340, and Corporate members of EDNZ: $270.
To book click here.
Ifor Ffowcs-Williams
CEO, Cluster Navigators Ltd, Nelson
Ifor is acknowledged as one of the most influential cluster practitioners in the world, with hands-on experience in 50 countries.
Over 5,000 people around the world have participated at Ifor’s cluster training workshops.
Participants have included regional economic development agencies and representatives from incubators & science parks; export development & investment attraction agencies; R&D organisations; universities & vocational training; chambers & industry associations and consultants.
These workshops address regional development, competitiveness, clusters, smart specialisations, innovation and business co-opetition.
Ifor has been an advisor to The World Bank, EU, OECD, aid agencies and national & regional economic development agencies on six continents.
Ifor is a Founder and Past President of TCI Network (Barcelona), the leading global network of organisations and practitioners with expertise in clusters and competitiveness.
He has served on competitiveness and cluster advisory boards for the EU, Denmark, India, Africa and Mexico.
Ifor is the author of the Cluster Development Handbook, the first comprehensive guide to the What? the Why? and the How? of cluster engagement.
Prior to establishing Cluster Navigators in 1997, Ifor was with NZTE’s predecessor, encouraging businesses to cooperate-to-compete through networking and clustering.
He has served as a Director of Nelson’s EDA. He is an accredited AEcDNZ.
www.clusternavigators.com 03 548 0606
www.linkedin.com/in/clusterdevelopment
Twitter: @e4clusterguy
