Claudia Mühlenfeld, ZENIT Susanne Jakobs, ZENIT October, 2005 INSTITUTO DE FOMENTO REGIÓN DE MURCIA Strategic Intelligence Platforms and Technology Watch in Companies in North-Rhine-Westphalia (Germany)

Strategic Intelligence Platforms and Technology Watch in NRW 1Examples for Strategic Intelligence Platforms -Food Processing Initiative -NRW-auto Platform 2Technology Watch at Degussa in Germany 3Recommendations

Strategic Intelligence Platforms in NRW – Food Sector  1000 food-producing enterprises  employees  700 supplying companies  With 18 Mio. Inhabitants an attractive market for food products

Food Processing Initiative North Rhine Westphalia -Objectives: communication, information and innovation -Members represent the whole sector -Platform offers: - Information on events, fairs, technologies - co-operation between science and economy - initiates working groups and seminars - database of companies, institutes etc.

Platform for Automotive Sector -Just online-network -company database -co-operation platform -advisory service for international activities

Technology Watch at Degussa Time horizon: 10 to 15 years (and longer) Megatrends Emerging Technologies Different types of future research New Businesses

Recommendations / Conclusions - Strategic Intelligence (SI) is expensive - SI is not so much about forecast trends but to raise awareness on trend disruptions - NRW supports Cluster building in important sectors (by public money) - Trust is vital! - commitment of stake leaders - assurance of a continuous administration - transfer an added value to participants - give opportunities for personal co-operation - take care of financing (public and private money)

Thank you very much for your attention! Claudia Mühlenfeld, Susanne Jakobs,