Cluster Navigators Ltd are a niche economic development consultancy, taking a cluster approach to the nurturing and upgrading of competitiveness agendas.

We support economic development agencies in developing the competitiveness of their regions. Our starting point is the cluster framework developed by Prof. Michael E Porter.

Our activities are global.  From our locations in New Zealand and Australia we service clients on five continents. Our support centers on:

Introducing relevance: We introduce the relevance of clustering as a cornerstone for economic development. We lead Ministerial, Council and Board level presentations.

Designing cluster interventions: We support aid donors, national and local economic development  agencies in the design of clustering interventions.  

Cluster training: We train cluster facilitators and support organisations. Our interactive training focuses firstly on the relevance and secondly the process of cluster development, and is supported by a comprehensive Cluster Development Handbook.

Cluster Weeks: Cluster Navigators support the introduction of cluster development programmes with public presentations, briefings to politicians and government agencies, media briefings and initial workshops with cluster groups.  These activities can be combined with training workshop into a ‘Cluster Week’.

 

Supporting economic development agencies: We support, not replace, agencies in establishing clustering initiatives. This includes cluster identification and prioritisation for engagement; cluster analysis; leading initial cluster workshops; and building cluster leadership groups. We facilitate the engagement of communities and businesses in the cluster development process.

Reviewing and auditing clustering initiatives: We assist in reviewing established clustering programmes, and supporting the ongoing upgrading of those programmes through facilitating workshops and offering hands-on support to the sponsoring economic development agency and the cluster’s Leadership Group.

 ‘Five Phases, Twelve Steps’:  Our practical approach places emphasis on taking a cluster to collaborative action in a short time frame, based on a solid strategic understanding.