Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship in The Middle East and North Africa: Strategies and Partnerships Casablanca Technopark / World Bank InfoDev

Session X

: Network Development and Network Management

Laith Kassis 3/Feb/2006 Casablanca, Morocco

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) - www.pita.ps

Outline

1.

2.

3.

4.

Brief about PITA Types of Networks Strategies for network building Tools for network management

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) - www.pita.ps

1. PITA in Brief

• • • • Established in 1998 Voluntary membership-based organization General Assembly & Elected BoD 70 companies: Software, Hardware, ISPs, Telecom, Consultancy & Training

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) - www.pita.ps

1. PITA in Brief - cont ’ d Purpose:

To represent the

collective interest

private ICT sector in Palestine.

of the

Vision:

To lead the

positioning economic pillar

of Palestine.

of the ICT sector as the

Mission: To promote and defend sector through: the private ICT

 Advocating for a business-enabling

environment

public-private

partnerships

.

through 

Promoting

the sector locally and internationally.  Developing a pool of professional ICT

human resources

.

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) - www.pita.ps

2. Types of Networks;

Palestine experience

Individual Knowledge Networks

 (Netiquette) ITSIG Forum – email list on IT, local & intl  ISOC.PS – membership, global ISOC  Palestine Economy Forum – email list on economics, local & international Mobilizing Palestinian Expatriates Information Knowledge Experience Debates News Posts (not ads)

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) - www.pita.ps

2. Types of Networks - cont ’ d ;

Palestine experience

Business Associations networks LOCAL

 Industrial Associations (IT, Furniture, Pharmaceuticals, etc)  Private Sector (PalTrade, Businessmen Association, private sector associations coordination council)

REGIONAL / INTERNATIONAL

 Arab IT Association of Companies: IJMA3  Global IT Associations of Companies: WITSA  National Business Incubation Assoc, US: NBIA  Science Parks & Innov Centers Expert Grp: SPICE Alliance of MENA Incubators (AMENAI) !!

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) - www.pita.ps

3. Strategies for Network Building

   – Set Common SMART Objectives

Specific, Measurable, Ambitious, Relevant and Time-bound

Establish Clear Benefits From Relationship – – – – Maintain Partners Relationships –

Set the rules early Establish a pool of committed supporters Show them you care (People and soft skills) Build a reputation for the network (association) in the community

 – Handle Complaints

Emphasize cooperation

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) - www.pita.ps

3. Strategies for Network Building cont ’ d

 Keeping Partners Informed –

Communicate

–

Formal and informal reporting, Newsletters, one-on-one meetings

–

Learn their contact preferences

–

Emails, Forums, Fax

 – Maintain Interest

Demonstrating network value by showing positive outputs and adding successes over time

 – – Involve Partners

Leveraging their expertise, strengths and influences 80/20 rule – 80% of the value of partners support comes from 20% of the partners

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) - www.pita.ps

4.Tools for Network Management

 ICT Tools –

email lists, forums, portals, etc.

 Surveys  Conferences  Meetings

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) - www.pita.ps

Thank You

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) - www.pita.ps