Objectives
This Agenda was formulated in response to workshops and discussions which took place during our Open Debate on Competitiveness, held on September 2002. The purpose of the Debate was for members to consider why Scotland is losing competitiveness and what we can do about it. The results of the workshop sessions were analysed, along with comments made subsequently, and were summarised in the following Agenda.
We are happy to receive suggestions for future events which reflect any aspect of the the agenda. Perhaps you can contribute your experiences? In addition, if you know of any resources - websites, books, etc - which members can use to help them strive to become or remain competitive, let us know and we will try to add them to our list of Resources.
CompetitiveScotland.com exists to raise awareness within companies in Scotland of the following activities and processes which are designed to lead to business improvements and increased competitiveness:
- Strategy formulation and deployment
- Understanding and building on core competencies
- Understanding customers' and markets' current and future requirements
- Developing an effective value chain
- Recognising and capitalising on opportunities
- Diagnostic techniques
- Leadership
- Networking and benchmarking in the manufacturing sector
These can be expanded on as follows:
- Strategy formulation and deployment: Develop effective strategy by benchmarking best practice and analysis of competitive position and then selection of the appropriate value proposition. Using policy deployment and integrated performance measurement systems to ensure the organisation sets appropriate targets and objectives in each part of the organisation.
- Understanding and building on core competencies: Determining the core competences to match the value proposition selected during strategy formulation and then developing the infrastructure of the business to deliver that value proposition.
- Understanding customers' and markets' current and future requirements: Active analysis of markets and customers to understand trends and changing requirements that will have an impact on the business.
- Developing an effective value chain: Use of analytical tools and techniques to identify and remove non-value adding activity and designing the business processes to be responsive to needs of customers and markets.
- Recognising and capitalising on opportunities: Encouraging initiative and being receptive to change
- Diagnostic techniques: Learning how to apply qualitative and quantitative performance measures to establish gaps in performance against requirements, and how to focus on improvement opportunities
- Leadership: Encouraging initiative and leadership at all levels, to identify improvement opportunities and to encourage ownership of business issues.
- Networking and benchmarking in the manufacturing sector: Participating in the activities of competitiveScotland.com and other relevant organisations; using our online discussion group to share knowledge and seek out examples of best practice.