By Patricia Valdenebro, CEO TCI Network, presented at the 16th TCI Global Conference, Kolding 2013.

1. Mapping the competencies of the TCI Network
Patricia Valdenebro
Business Summit: Strategic Innovation Partnerships
4 September 2013

2. Why to map the competencies within the network?
We already knew about the variety of backgrounds and expertise of TCI members, but
• Wanted to know better
• Make it visible and accessible to the cluster community
• Create synergies by sharing and connecting
 March 2013, launch of survey with 10 questions
 Invited: all TCI members / 114 answers as of today
 Results confirm incredible rich set of capabilities and experience

3. Q1. You work for…
Government or economic development agencies 35,1%
Consulting companies 21,9%
University or research institutions 18,4%
Cluster initiatives 14%
Others:
multilateral organizations, chambers of
commerce, professional associations
Source: TCI Network. Mapping of Competencies. August 2013

4. Q2. Type of activities that best describes current responsibilities
Source: TCI Network. Mapping of Competencies. August 2013
Lead organization, set
strategy and action agenda,
design programs and policies
32,5 %
28,1%
17,5 %
14,9 %
7 %
Manage programs/projects,
lead initiatives/missions
Advise on and evaluate
strategies/policies/programs
Conduct analysis/research,
provide training
Responsible for specific
tasks within
programs/projects/initiatives

5. 43%
have been
active for
more than
15 years
27,2%
between 5-
10 years
22,8%
between 10-
15 years Only 7%
less than 5
years
Q3. Since when have you been active in economic development?
Source: TCI Network. Mapping of Competencies. August 2013

6. Q4&5.How much experience do you have with the following
economic development-related tools & topics?
Project
Managemen
t
Cluster
analysis
Facilitation
Regional
economic
analysis
Training Evaluation
Industry
analysis
Benchmarki
ng
+ More Experience - Less Experience
Innovation/
R&D
Internationali
zation
Cluster
marketing/
branding
Impact
assesment/
evaluation
Emerging
clusters
Capacity
building
Over 50% experienced or very experienced with the following TOOLS
Over 50% experienced or very experienced with the following TOPICS
Source: TCI Network. Mapping of Competencies. August 2013

7. Q6. In which of the following industries have you worked?
Source: TCI Network. Mapping of Competencies. August 2013
1. ICT
2. Agro Food
3. Creative
4. Business & Financial Services
5. Tourism
6. Energy
7. Environment/Green Technologies
8. Automotive
9. Biotechnology
10. Media

8. Q7. In which regions have you worked?
Europe 78%
Latin
America 30%
Asia 22%
North
America
21%
Africa
20%
Oceania
13%
Source: TCI Network. Mapping of Competencies. August 2013

9. Q8. Do you have specific experience in developing countries ?
Uganda
Tanzania
Sudan
Ethiopa
Zambia
Malawi
Rwanda
Burundi
Papua New GuineaSamoa
Cambodia
Solomon
Island
Ghana
Guyana
Honduras
Albania
Trinidad
& Tobago
Bolivia
Morocco
37% of members have experience in DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, among others:
Source: TCI Network. Mapping of Competencies. August 2013

10. Q9. In which languages are you fluent (to high proficiency)?
Source: TCI Network. Mapping of Competencies. August 2013

11. Q10. Would you be interested in:
Source: TCI Network. Mapping of Competencies. August 2013

12. The profile of a TCI member
Has a 10 to 15 years’ experience
In a leading position, setting strategy & designing
programs and policies
Works for an economic development agency
Experienced in ec. development & specifically in
innovation, internationalization, marketing and
evaluation of clusters
Uses project management, cluster analysis and
facilitation as tools
Speaks 2-3 languages and has working experience
mainly in Europe and quite probably in other regions,
including developing countries
With interest in paticipating in joint programmes and
cooperation projects

13. How has the mapping been used so far
• The Competitiveness and Innovation (CTI) Division,
Inter-American Development Bank, looking for a
Private Sector Lead Specialist.
• The Ministry of Economy in Turkey looking for a keynote
speaker with expertise in cluster management in Europe.
• iNNpulsa Colombia with a request for consultancy services
to implement and transfer a methodology that builds
regional capacities for the strengthening of clusters.
• TCI Network itself looking for a researcher interested in
putting together a list of new cluster-related articles on a
monthly basis

14. The way forward
It is an ongoing process
All TCI members are encouraged to fill in the survey
Feel free to approach us with specific requests

15. Contact us
 To receive the direct link to the survey
 To ask for a selection of TCI members with a
specific profile
 For any questions regarding the mapping
info@tci-network.org