Achieve More Together

What is Clustering and Collaborative Working?

A Cluster is localised group of linked and actively interacting organisations (typically businesses, researchers, government and specialist services) focused on a shared activity. This shared activity provides them with competitive, productivity and innovation advantages over those outside the cluster or region. Well-established examples include Hollywood for films and Silicon Valley for IT.

Collaborative Working is when your organisation joins with others to improve capability, performance and growth. Examples include Chambers of Commerce, Farmers Markets and Cross Functional Teams. 

Where can we help

At the Centre for Competitiveness we offer advice and assistance in the following areas: 

• Collaborative Networking: We support the setting up of collaborative networks. We use our networks to introduce people to the better practices of working together on collaborative ventures. 

• Collaborative Toolkit:  The collaborative toolkit consists of a Cluster Positioning System (CPS) that allows you to define your current level of cluster sophistication, where you need to be and the steps you need to take to get there. The definitions are in relation to the current leadership, strategy, processes, resources, people and business impacts. 

• Cluster Facilitation: We offer advice and mentoring services, to clusters and facilitators, on cluster development and co-operative working. Facilitation helps organisations come together and deliver against a shared vision. 

• Cluster Training: We offer training for Facilitators and for Groups. This will help accelerate the building of trust, condense the time taken to deliver value and identify and avoid the normal pitfalls. Training will help you get faster, cheaper and better group working and results delivery. 

Current Networks

SmartGridIreland

SmartGridIreland is an industry led network of organisations based in / operating out of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland - seeking to jointly exploit new commercial opportunities in the Smart Grid sector locally, nationally and  internationally. Member organisations are drawn from industry, research bodies, universities and government agencies.

Manufacturing Excellence

Manufacturing companies visiting each others factories and sharing better practices.

Voluntary Sector Common Interest Group

Organisations from the voluntary sharing benchmarking information to identify potential areas for imrprovement.

Magherafelt Business Clusters (Construction + Speciality Food)

Two groups of businesses from the Magherafelt District Council area - Speciality Foods and Construction. The businesses are working together on tackling common problems and creating mutual benefits.

Leadership Network

Business leaders working with international academics to challenge and stretch their thinking.

Innovation Network

Nework of organisations focussing specifically on creating new value for their organisations through innovation.

CforC Members Network

Ongoing events where CforC Members from across the private, public and voluntary sectors share their experiences and learning on their excellence journey.

What to do now

We provide professional advice, mentoring, facilitation and training services on cluster development and collaborative working.

For further information contact Michael Smith or Michael O'Neill on 028 9073 7950 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.