Esther, If possible try having the Malili technopolis join World Technopolis Association (WTA). WTA is led by South korea but they do more and talk less. The 7th WTA had a meeting last year... see http://www.wtanet.org/recentnews/textBDView.mf?tableName=Ewtanews&idx=117 Also the link below may demystify what is expected of technopolis. see http://www.technopolis-group.com/site/ Technopolis works with the creation of knowledge and its practical application to society. We analyse and advise on policy and evaluate its implementation in the fields of science, technology, innovation, higher education and social and economic development. Otherwise from what I gather from edwin is we are acting in coocons and it is hurting the enterpreneurs plus those who depend of the jobs they generate. What to do is his plea! And one way is to align our collective strategy which is really difficult in our current political environment. There is a challenged Political vision because current actors have:- 1. Short term vision: driven by next mandate election 2. Social-economical dimension: majority of today's politician are “lawyers” or “economists” do not understand impact of ICT, Science-Technology-Innovation facilities We can correct it by:- 1. being prepared to repeat the continuous education of local and national politician and decisionmakers 2. even for a research infrastructure run a serious a social-economical study to show you impact on the local, national and international economy of say ICT, Science-Technology-Innovation Have to run for lunch but will be prepared to engage you further on other challenges and possible ways of addressing them (put as 1,2, etc) namely:- Very conservative community (we take too many oaths and sorround ourselves in shrouds of secrecy as if we are doing rocket science...incidentally I am attending a private forum of future exploves that implode as oppesed to explode): dare to challenge your colleagues and be courageous because you need to be a marathon-man and not “Usain Bolt” Throw away the fear that what I’m doing here ! (depends on your reactions).... Over-information kills the communication: 1. We need to be aware that the media are over-flooded by information. 2. Don’t hesitate to repeat our fundamentals every time you address the media’s 3. if you can’t say in simple words what you are doing or willing to do this means that you are not mastering your subject 4 Before issuing your communication let it be reviewed by nonspecialists (non-specialist doen’t mean your secretay but a non exposed person to your jargon) Economical and financial culture 1. Today’s economical & financial culture is based on short-term pay-back investment and preferably at high rate: Run socialeconomical impact study for your project by specialist and assist them for the special aspect of your project such as: Technical excellence This should the first challenge on my list but I put at the end because it is the most important and deserve more discussion 1. Addressing all the previous challenges in a perfect way for a bad project from the technical point of view, will not make you successful 2. Technical excellence and reliable technology should be your drivers in designing your project 3. Favor international collaboration in an open-minded environment such as the one offered by NASCOMM, etc. Kind regards, David On 10/7/10, ESTHER MUCHIRI <emuchiri@andestbites.com> wrote:
Great suggestion Edwin! Re-alignment is a must, and the first step is for us to broaden our thinking from BPO to ITES (which includes BPO).
The story in today’s daily Nation on the upcoming ICT Technolopis in Machakos country is enough stimulus for the industry to shape up…
Esther
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Esther W. Muchiri
Tel: +254-20-2394420; Cell: +254-724-164346; +254-733-720-619
"The future belongs to those who believe the beauty of their dreams.".
-- Eleanor Roosevelt
From: kictanet-bounces+emuchiri=andestbites.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+emuchiri=andestbites.com@lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Edwin Onchari Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2010 11:41 AM To: emuchiri@andestbites.com Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions Subject: [kictanet] Need for BPO sector re-alignment?
Dear Listers and passionate BPO industry practitioners,
In recent constructive discussions on the state of the BPO sector in Kenya, and how this will impact the contribution to realizing our Vision 2030 goals, one thing clearly emerged. As a country, we have a fragmented strategy of creating a sustainable industry.
I strongly feel that we need to a have a joint communiqué (re-aligning of strategies) from the following and any other agency that has/should have BPO as part of its TORs:
1. Kenya ICT Board (The line ministry and supporting agencies such as CCK)
2. KenInvest
3. OPM- BPO/ITES working group
4. Brand Kenya
5. Vision 2030 secretariat
6. The Kenya BPO Society – and by membership extension; KEPSA
7. Any other auxiliary industry/government agencies
It is imperative that we have a unified, well thought through, strategy for the sector if we were to achieve much.
This call is in the back-drop of many industry start-ups and auxiliary service providers, either shutting shop altogether, or suspending BPO departments in their operations (over 40 start-ups have shut down in the last 4 years with a potential loss of 5000 direct jobs).
What are your thoughts?
Kind regards,
Edwin
Being on par in terms of price and quality only gets you into the game.Service wins the game. TONY ALESSANDRA