CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT AGENT Originators: Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC), UNIDO.
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Transcript of CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT AGENT Originators: Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC), UNIDO.
CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT AGENT
Originators: Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC), UNIDO
Reducing poverty through sustainable industrial growth
Definition of a CDA or cluster broker?
A professional who works on the ground in the cluster and accompanies the process of cluster development from its initiation to phasing out
Reducing poverty through sustainable industrial growth
Why do we need a CDA?
Could we rely on a cluster stakeholder to do the job?
The issue of neutrality – trust – time
CDA is an entry point into the cluster for the implementing agency
A CDA is from outside the cluster
S/he does not have a business interest in the cluster
S/he works full time
S/he is mandated to work for a fixed time period
Single person or a team? Both is possible…
Reducing poverty through sustainable industrial growth
Who is a CDA?
A professional who works in the cluster on a daily basis and operates as a temporary catalyst of a process
Establishes trust-based relations with and among cluster stakeholders
Supports cluster stakeholders in the formulation of a joint vision for the development of the cluster
Fosters joint action on specific business objectives
Empowers local stakeholders to take the lead of the process
Reducing poverty through sustainable industrial growth
Qualities of a CDA
Willing Soul Hardworking
Open to new ideas, tries them out
Is self-motivated, assumes responsibility
Communicator Pick up and connect clues fast
Understands local (business) culture
SME expert Has familiarity, preferably experience of how SMEs work
Understands local production process
May or may not be technically qualified
Conflict Resolver Identify the symptoms of conflict
Understand its roots
Avoid conflicts
Reducing poverty through sustainable industrial growth
What is the role of the CDA?
A technical / sectoral expert
A coach
A facilitator / broker
A manager
A coordinator
A business dev expert
A trainer
?
Reducing poverty through sustainable industrial growth
What is the role of the CDA?
Accompany the process……
Identify and involve leaders
Broaden the scope of action: from first comers to the business community at large
Empower local actors – establish forums of dialogue/participation and give voice to marginalized actors
Catalyze initiatives but do not take ownership – give ownership
Build local capacities to sustain the process – governance
Progressively transfer responsibilities to cluster stakeholders – prepare for exit
Reducing poverty through sustainable industrial growth
What is the role of the CDA?
Working on the ground…doing what?
Project phase
Diagnostic
Action planning
Implementation
M&E
The CDA
1. Get to know / understand / analyze
2. Broker consensus-building, manage conflicts, identify business opportunities
3. Foster business network development4. Foster vertical linkages (supplier-producers-buyers)5. Foster public-private dialogue6. Bridge coordination gaps between firms and support
institutions 7. Give advice, solve technical and business problems,
train
8. Monitor progress, prepare reports
Reducing poverty through sustainable industrial growth
Principles for the CDA to follow?
Guiding and not deciding
Not doing but getting done
Not a perfectionist but logical
Creating but not owning - giving ownership
Innovating – taking risk
Professional support system of CDA
Reducing poverty through sustainable industrial growth
What is the role of the CDA?
Which one is the CDA?
The driver?
The front-seat navigator?
The back-seat passenger?
Reducing poverty through sustainable industrial growth
Phasing
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4
Principal Firms
Support Firms
NDA
Association
Institutions
BDS providers
Govt. Departments
Network
Umbrella Association
Reducing poverty through sustainable industrial growth
Documents to be prepared by CDA?
Action plan
Background material for cluster visitors
Case study
Data preparation for monitoring and evaluation
Exit strategy
Final project report
Handholding of stakeholders in presentations
Implementing agency’s talking points
50 formal documents in 3 years