1. The Importance of Facilitation in Supporting
Effective Networking and Clustering
John Coyle
30 May 2014

2. John Coyle, CEO HunterNet Business Network for 12 years)
The Importance of Facilitation in
Supporting Effective Networking and
Clustering

3. 1. Background to HunterNet
2. Importance of collaboration and
cluster facilitation
3. Lessons from Industry
4. Conclusion and implications
Outline

4. Background to HunterNet (Cluster 1)
• a co-operative of approx 200 manufacturers,
engineers and consulting companies
• Begun in1992 with 6 member firms.
• Incorporated in 1992 as a registered, member
funded, not for profit co-operative
• Group Training Co – 160 Apprentices / Trainees
• SME’s with a combined turnover of $900M and
4000+ employees
• Funded by Members with NSW govt support

5. A successful Cluster of Manufacturing Engineering
SMEs:
Working together
Sharing information
Building on core competencies
Acquiring new skills
Seeking joint opportunities
and demonstrating
THE POWER OF MANY
Manufacturing Engineering SMES

6. Monthly networking meetings held at member firm premises; special
interest groups; yearly conference; shared training; formal dinners;
group training company to support apprenticeships and more.
Outcomes: Firms tender jointly, mentor new firm members and Cluster
acts as conduit between government and cluster firms, also supports
the procurement of tenders, information for SMEs and more.
Facilitated activities that support
knowledge sharing

7. Leadership & vision comes from within the Network
 Competitive barriers are mindsets
 Trust comes from ongoing demonstrated
commitment to the Cluster, with sharing of
information and joint initiatives
 HunterNet are marketing the Region as well as our
members
 HunterNet has an important role in shaping the
perceptions of our Region and future investment
HunterNet: Lessons Learned

8. Greater marketing focus and effort, particularly on
innovation:
- Take HunterNet outside the Region
- Focus on specific projects with technology bias
Drive innovation
Promote the Hunter as the engineering/manufacturing
heartland of Australia –develop a niche!
Position ourselves as the voice of small business in
manufacturing engineering sector
Continue to develop companies and their potential
Identify business opportunities for members
HunterNet (from the ex -CEO)

9. The ability of a business to connect effectively with other
organisations is seen as key to contemporary innovation
management strategy. Industry clusters, can increase the
attractiveness and the effectiveness of cluster
environment if they implement the right communication
strategies for providing robust knowledge sharing
networks and invest appropriately in brand building for
the cluster. Aspects such as the focus on regional
innovation systems (RIS) and open innovation are likely to
add significantly to the understanding and effective
facilitation of some future areas of research and practice.
Conclusion

10.  Clusters are about collaboration, not just locating firms and firm
owners in the same place. Nearly all experts agree that ideas flow
faster in a local community.
 The role of a cluster facilitator also encompasses interpretation,
interaction and change management regarding both the
external/internal environments providing added value for firm
members and emphasising the fact that collaborative innovation is
more than technology and will become even more important in
the future.
 Clusters have emerged as an industrial organisational form that is
recognised as having superior abilities when compared with single
firms that operate in isolation. Ultimately, cluster development
fosters national economic development and growth.
Conclusion and implications

11. http://www.creativepipeline.com.au/cp_docd
wnld_hn_20yrs_03.html

12. Thank You!
Questions/comments?