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Why do it?
George Gobel once said that "if it weren't
for electricity, we would all be watching TV by candlelight". He was being
facetious of course, but imagine a world only 100 years ago - a world
of low technology and inward focus as societies and nations. Only 100
years later many societies are high tech and outward focused. The pace
of this change has been increasing. In 1981 Bill Gates said that 640K
ought to be enough for anyone with a computer. There is now more computing
power in a wrist watch than existed in the world prior to 1960. We can
"chat" with anyone in the world as if they were our neighbour.
These dramatic economic and social changes
are being reflected in increased economic integration - the European Union
and NAFTA for example. A "smaller" world is changing the face of competitive
dynamics. A new set of "regions" are winners and losers in today's world
as they develop differentially. Individual firms can no longer ensure
prosperity in a region. Networks of companies and institutions, know as
"industry clusters" are required for success.
There are two givens in the "new" economy:
1) regions drive the global economy; and
2) economic clusters drive regional economies
Regions are developing differentially
because we can influence the ability of economic clusters to grow and
prosper by creating distinct regional advantages for these clusters, and
collaboration enables creation of competitive advantage.
Several regions in North America and
around the world have learned that the development of industry based clusters
is important to economic growth in the new economy. Development of clusters
results in a cost-effective, market-oriented, and long term approach to
economic development.
By enhancing industry cluster growth,
there will be an increased understanding of the needs of the Calgary Region's
economic generators and the ability to meet those needs. The result is
increased employment opportunities. Increased entrepreneurial energy and
diversity, coupled with strong leadership and sustained innovative capacity,
will help ensure that the region's prosperity is sustainable.
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Contact
For more information,
contact Michael Brown at 221-7831,
C-Prosperity Partners
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