Saturday, May 22, 2004
Portland has a cluster of digital display companies. But until recently, the companies have not come together to collaboprate. That is changing.
Here's the lesson to EDPro's. A cluster organization will not form without clear value propositions. So it is interesting that the first meeting of this group focused on some clear value propositions:
Networking: Create a point of contact between display industry entrepreneurs and venture capitalists who are seeking display investment opportunities;
Retention and attraction: Attract new companies into the region, while supporting companies already here;
Training: Work with local universities to develop technical and business curricula that will help the local display industry prosper; and
Branding: Put the region on the map as a world-class center for digital display expertise, and especially, get the Society for Information Display to hold its annual symposium in Portland.
These are good places to start in just about any cluster organization.
Some Background on EDPro Weblog
The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it.
One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information.
If you are using a news reader, here is the link to syndicate this site:
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Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development
As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking.
Background on Ed Morrison
Download some background information on me here.
Portland's display makers begin thinking like a cluster
