Focusing on local priorities whilst maintaining a national network Mike Crowe

Breakout Session: Clusters to support growth in areas outside big cities

5 September 2013

Desert Knowledge AustraliaOutback Business Networks

Focusing on Local Priorities whilst maintaining a National Network

Mike Crowe5 September 2013

Desert Knowledge AustraliaIdentifies and develops key local and national projects that contribute to a social, economic and environmentally sustainable future for desert and remote Australia

Desert Knowledge Australia• challenging the way things are done• partnerships to create new ways• applying what we learnBacked by

• an intercultural approach• networked to create critical mass• innovation

Flagship Programs• Desert Knowledge Australia Outback Business

Networks• remoteFOCUS• Digital Futures• Collective Impact • Desert Leadership • Desert Knowledge Precinct

remoteFOCUS

Digital Futures:Broadband for the Bush Alliance

Outback Business Networks• Linking Ten Regions• Five Industry Groups

– Mining Services– Sustainable Building– Tourism– Creative Industries– Local Produce

Outback Business NetworksConnecting small businesses across Outback Australia

Roll-out phase (2009-12) supported at national level by:

Aboriginals Benefit Account

Roll-out Phase 2009-2012

Adding value for businesses in the Outback

Timely access to information, professional

development to meet business needs

Linking to business opportunities – income

generating or cost saving

Connecting with potential business

collaborators

Connecting to ten regions of desert Australia:

potential new suppliers and customers

Contacts within five industries and

industry associations

Preparing Outback Businesses for the

National Broadband Network

1500+ SMEs across the Outback

Core Services:

• Facilitated cross border industry level meetings• Initial research and project development• Co-developing projects• Online database• Local partnership development

Joint Marketing

Brian Webber: Saican Consultants, Montreal, Canada

‘The unique characteristic of OBN is the concurrent development of intra-regional and inter-regional linkages; and the implementation of tools and processes to make them work.

No other identified initiative has tackled these two concurrently.’

What has happened since 2011• Decline in Australian Government Funding• State and Local Governments more locally focussed• BHP Billiton, Telstra and Qantas stay engaged• Stakeholder expectations at 2009 levels despite 2013

resources!• Staff turnover because of lack of funding certainty• Rise of National Broadband Network as an enabler

How to Build Local Relevance and Engagement?• Local Champions• Relationships• Competitor/Collaborator Dynamic • Build on your “competitive advantage”

How to maintain national sponsorships for regional endeavours?

• Maintain the Vision• Engage the sponsors’ needs and priorities• Communicate• Add value

Celebrate Collaboration

How to keep a broad network engaged and informed in a changing environment?

• Communicate regularly• Engage with the developing issues• Build on your successes

Review and Build

thank you

mike.crowe@desertknowledge.com.au

www.desertknowledge.com.au