Here are some conclusions to topics we discussed yesterday and these all relate to the fractured industry representation:

• Gov’t likes to divide and conquer, to then better manage each sector.
• Individually, each association represents too few members of an  industry to make gov’t listen, but together they would make a powerful  voice for lobbying.
• We’ve got 3 different associations representing knowledge economy sector jobs for a population under 1 million.
• Industry associations may be afraid of biting the hand that feeds them.

So after a productive series of meetings and giving the future of ITANS some thought, well actually I don’t see a future for ITANS any more. I think a single voice representing the  knowledge economy in Nova Scotia is the way to go. Bring together the likes of ITANS, Nova Knowledge and BioNova and have an organization that can lead, lobby and succeed! Separately some of these organizations are too small and lack the resources to do much. Some are so intertwined with the government that they are no longer effective or able to meet their own mandates. If we bring them under one roof, Together they can lead and get results.

This is just a thought and one I hope gains traction. For us to succeed we need to work together. We need an industry voice the government will respect, a voice that will get action instead of inaction.

What are your thoughts?