Looking Globally while Collaborating Locally

Looking Globally while Collaborating Locally

Bill Collins President e-qual-IT

February 25th, 2002

CanadianGovernment Initiatives

Connecting Canadians - Commitment to wire Canada from Coast to Coast

Connect all schools to the information highway (achieved)

Commitment to have “Government on-line” by 2004

Smart Communities (SmartCapital)

Welcome to Ottawa

• Economic region 1,180,000

• 4th Largest metropolitan region in Canada

• Over 120 million people within 2 hours air travel

• 68,500 technology workers (Dec.2001)

• 1100 + advanced technology firms- 60% companies < 50 employees

• CDN $20B sales• 90% export based

Technology Sectorin Ottawa

Ottawa’s Features

Diverse technology industrySkilled workforceLeaders in research & innovationQuality of lifeAccess to governmentAffordable livingDiverse cultures

Drawing Talent & Opportunity

400 Schools4 Universities4 CollegesHighest concentration of

Scientists and Engineers in Canada

Nation’s most wired: 62.5% homes connected (Ottawa Citizen, July 2001)

Education & HR

Starts with developing entrepreneurial spiritHigh School and Post-Secondary is TOO

late to beginMust begin to develop this “spirit” in

KindergartenCurrent institutional framework in education

does NOT foster entrepreneurial spirit and innovation

• Communications Research Centre • National Research Council• Agriculture Canada• Environment Canada• Health Canada• …many others

Research &

Development

Ottawa’s Clusters

Seven clusters identified:Telecommunications equipmentMicroelectronicsSoftware & communicationsLife sciencesPhotonicsProfessional servicesTourism

Plus two “seed” clusters:New media (film & entertainment)Environmental technologies

OCRI: Connecting people with ideas, and ideas with people

OCRI’s Vision - A Rallying Point

A point of convergence where people, technology and ideas can connect in such a way that new infrastructure, investments, programs, and services are created for the benefit of the community and the individuals involved.

The OCRI Mission

OCRI brings people, ideas, and resources together to:

Expand and enrich Ottawa's talent pool;Market Ottawa to attract people, investment and

business;Foster quality education and life-long learning; Develop effective technological solutions that meet

community and individual needs;Enable entrepreneurs to establish and grow their

businesses;Support innovative research

Roots of Collaboration

Build TrustNetworking / Relationship buildingInvolve decision-makersWin-Win situationsSense of ownership

Strategic Partnering & Collaboration

FinancialTechnologyEducationManufacturingMarketing

Two – Way Street

Strategic partnerships involve strategic “big-picture” thinking

Strategic partnerships must benefit both parties

Benefit need not be “equal” Networking & Relationships lay

groundwork

Benefits of Partnering

Open new marketsComplementary technology/productsStrategic connectionsShare best practicesWin-Win scenarios

The New Paradigm

Competitiveness through innovation Innovation through collective learningCollective learning through individual talent Knowledge, ideas, talent of employees are

the assets of any technology company/community- inherently mobile assets

Attracting & retaining talent the principal concern of corporate & community leadership

Innovation - Changing the way we

think

Traditional mindsets must be alteredFAILUREFAILURE can become a positive

True innovation requires “going where no one has gone before”Mistakes and failure are integral parts

of the processThe lessons learned and paths taken

facilitate future success

It’s all about TEAMS!

Misconception that the knowledge economy is about “techno-geeks” sheltered like 21st Century hermits in their cubicles

The reality is that companies and projects are multi-disciplinary team-oriented

Networking, sharing ideas and visions are crucial in the new business model

Innovation and Creativity require a certain synergy found in groups

Regional Economic Development

One-size fits all economic initiatives DO NOT work effectively OR efficiently

Regions MUST seek economic partnerships and collaborate with similar economic regionsProvincially, Nationally & Internationally

Role of Government should be to serve the varied needs of regions

OCRI, the Entrepreneurship Centre or Ottawa visit

For more information on

www.entrepreneurship.comwww.entrepreneurship.com

www.ottawaregion.comwww.ottawaregion.com

www.ocri.cawww.ocri.ca