International Business Clusters
(download PDF version)
 These are just some examples of the use of Future Search in creating business clusters and networks at a local, state, national and international level.
Tuolumne County Timber Cluster
Timber businesses in Tuolumne, California met with local citizens, environmental interests and others to develop a visionary statement of common ground and energized action planning to enable ongoing logging in a more sustainable manner.
Massachusetts Manufacturing Cluster
Business owners, public and private services providers and legislators met to develop a plan to make Massachusetts manufacturers more competitive and service oriented. 8 weeks after the Future Search, legislation was passed with a grant of $1 million to create an extension service for the manufacturers.
Alabama SME Manufacturers Cluster
Alabama Department of Commerce and the University of Alabama co-sponsored a Future Search to create an extension service for SME manufacturers. Following the conference, the National Institute for Science and Technology awarded $3 million to plan a state-wide technology centre.
Global Workplace Learning Network
The American Society of Training and Development organised for
stakeholders from across United States, Caribbean, Europe and Asia to
met in Orlando, Florida on the future of workplace learning and
performance. Conference outcomes were broad but included a book on the
future of the HRD profession and an on-line knowledge management system.
German Hairdressers Cluster
L'Oreal sponsored getting the 'whole system' of the hairdressing sector -- hairdressers (owners), employees, industry, trade, shop-designers (furniture, fittings, equipment), unions, guilds, training, education, private schools, customers, politicians (lobbyists), trade press -- to create a successful and sustainable future for the sector through building constructive relationships.
As alluded to above, these examples evidence that business clusters can be focused at any level including local, state, national and international.
Allied Information on Business Clusters:
Our Process for Business Cluster Development
Definition & Benefits of Business Clusters
More Thoughts on the Definition of Clusters
The First Step in Business Cluster Development The Evolution of Business Clusters
|
“I have never seen an approach produce such positive outcomes, goodwill and energy.” 
“It has been a real enlightenment to go through the City Edge process. The identification of ‘common ground’ was an absolute success.”
“Brilliant.”