Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) - Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship in The Middle East and North Africa: Strategies

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

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 : Network Development and Network ManagementManagement

Laith Kassis3/Feb/2006

Casablanca, Morocco


Outline Outline

1. Brief about PITA

2. Types of Networks

3. Strategies for network building

4. Tools for network management


1. PITA in Brief1. PITA in Brief

• Established in 1998• Voluntary membership-based

organization• General Assembly & Elected BoD• 70 companies: Software, Hardware,

ISPs, Telecom, Consultancy & Training


1. PITA in Brief1. PITA in Brief - cont’d- cont’d

Purpose: To represent the collective interest of the private ICT sector in Palestine.

Vision: To lead the positioning of the ICT sector as the economic pillar of Palestine.

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

Advocating for a business-enabling environment through public-private partnerships.

Promoting the sector locally and internationally. Developing a pool of professional ICT human resources.


2. Types of Networks;2. Types of Networks; Palestine experiencePalestine 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 & internationalMobilizing Palestinian Expatriates

InformationKnowledgeExperience

DebatesNews

Posts (not ads)


2. Types of Networks 2. Types of Networks - cont’d- cont’d;; Palestine Palestine experienceexperience

Business Associations networksLOCAL 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) !!


3. Strategies for Network Building3. 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


3. Strategies for Network Building 3. Strategies for Network Building - -

cont’dcont’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


4.Tools for Network Management4.Tools for Network Management

ICT Tools – email lists, forums, portals, etc.

SurveysConferencesMeetings


Thank YouThank You

Documents

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) - Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship in The Middle East and North Africa: Strategies