Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) - Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship in The Middle East and North Africa: Strategies and Partnerships Casablanca Technopark / World Bank InfoDev : Network Development and Network Management Session X : Network Development and Network Management Laith Kassis 3/Feb/2006 Casablanca, Morocco

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) - Outline 1. Brief about PITA 2. Types of Networks 3. Strategies for network building 4. Tools for network management

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) PITA in Brief Established in 1998 Voluntary membership-based organization General Assembly & Elected BoD 70 companies: Software, Hardware, ISPs, Telecom, Consultancy & Training

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) PITA in Brief - cont ’ d Purpose: To represent the collective interest of the private ICT sector in Palestine. Vision: To lead the positioning of the ICT sector as the economic pillar of Palestine. Mission: To promote and defend the private ICT sector through: Advocating for a business-enabling environment through public-private partnerships. Promoting the sector locally and internationally. Developing a pool of professional ICT human resources.

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) Types of Networks; Palestine experience Individual Knowledge Networks (Netiquette) ITSIG Forum – list on IT, local & intl ISOC.PS – membership, global ISOC Palestine Economy Forum – list on economics, local & international Mobilizing Palestinian Expatriates Information Knowledge Experience Debates News Posts (not ads)

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) Types of Networks - cont ’ d ; Palestine experience Business Associations networks LOCAL Industrial Associations (IT, Furniture, Pharmaceuticals, etc) Private Sector (PalTrade, Businessmen Association, private sector associations coordination council) REGIONAL / INTERNATIONAL Arab IT Association of Companies: IJMA3 Global IT Associations of Companies: WITSA National Business Incubation Assoc, US: NBIA Science Parks & Innov Centers Expert Grp: SPICE Alliance of MENA Incubators (AMENAI) !!

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) Strategies for Network Building Set Common SMART Objectives – Specific, Measurable, Ambitious, Relevant and Time-bound Establish Clear Benefits From Relationship Maintain Partners Relationships – – Set the rules early – Establish a pool of committed supporters – Show them you care (People and soft skills) – Build a reputation for the network (association) in the community Handle Complaints – Emphasize cooperation

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) Strategies for Network Building - cont ’ d Keeping Partners Informed – Communicate –Formal and informal reporting, Newsletters, one-on-one meetings – Learn their contact preferences – s, Forums, Fax Maintain Interest – Demonstrating network value by showing positive outputs and adding successes over time Involve Partners – Leveraging their expertise, strengths and influences – 80/20 rule – 80% of the value of partners support comes from 20% of the partners

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) Tools for Network Management ICT Tools – lists, forums, portals, etc. Surveys Conferences Meetings

Palestinian IT Association of Companies (PITA) - Thank You