SCIP / Frost & Sullivan?

[Kieran Michael Brown]

So, what do we think about this? I've got no dog at all in this race, just sincerely curious about what others think.

[Carolyn M. Vella]

I think it's time to do what we wish to do if we want our professional association to go forward. I have been begging SCIP to get some press for CI for years with no action. To think we had no press when we had our annual in Atlanta is shocking. Now we are looking at our next Annual in D.C. and we won't get press unless we start working on it ourselves - now. Remember that F&S only made them solvent. It does not make them better. If we want to make SCIP better, we have to move off our butts and do it ourselves. I suggest we begin by deciding our priorities and then begin doing them. Don't count on the SCIP board to do anything. We are the members and we can do as we choose. It's our organization. Let's make it work. Carolyn

[Claudia Clayton]

I like the idea of putting together some ideas for SCIP. If this is a member run organization, then the members need to be heard. SCIP staff and board should not be controlling influencers over what SCIP is and does. I am not trying to be a revolutionary or to criticize SCIP, which is staffed by smart, well meaning, dedicated association experienced people. But clearly from the posts here there is a disconnect from what the members WANT and what they GET. When that is the case, it's hard to hold an association together in a downturn. Makes me think about the case of Corning in Treacy's book that was given out at the conference - they did well when trends were in their favor, but that's all that was keeping them going. If that's all that's keeping SCIP going, then this cycle will repeat itself. So, I suggest an actual member action group that recommends specific actions to SCIP regarding this disconnect. Each constituency must have its needs met within the approved scope of the association. Not all will have their needs met equally, but there has to be a minimum level. There are real issues here, and unless the membership acts in some fashion, they will be swept under the carpet and all will remain as it was.

[Michael Neugarten]

LIke some colleagues, I am concerned that too little is known about the F&S Institute, so I did, what to me was the obvious thing, and asked F&S themselves for some information ...

I wrote the following:

"SCIP - the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals has announced a proposed merger with the F&S Institute.
Do you have any information as to what this Institute actually is? I believe that it's a non-profit organization. But the F&S website says very little about it."

and some 10 days later have today received the following, which I present EXACTLY as received. I think it raises some interesting questions, which I will leave others to pursue:

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"Here are some details on the proposed FSI-SCIP Partnership:

* We approached SCIP one year ago to join our "Strategic Partnership Consortium".
* SCIP and FSI are both non-profit organizations, and it is proposed that both become sister organizations.
* The SCIP Board (and Members) have approved this partnership, and the details are being worked out at the current time.
* This is not an acquisiton for cash and Frost & Sullivan will not benefit financially from SCIP.
* We are not acquiring SCIP. Rather, we will take a management role with their events and membership services in line with our GTM value proposition.
* The SCIP Board and Members will continue to drive the content of their association.


We are proposing the following with SCIP:

* Managing their global events.
* Adding a career development program for SCIP Members.
* Developing a global program of SCIP events with GIL Global: SCIP Europe in November 2009, SCIP APAC in October 2010, SCIP Americas March 2010.
* Developing a CI Newsletter for their Members.
* Building the global membership.


About Frost & Sullivan Institute (FSI):
A non-profit institute dedicated to providing research into planet health. The Institute leverages all of Frost & Sullivan's extensive research databases, brand name, and 360 degree visionary model to bring new insight, influence and strategy to global health.

FSI was founded to provide all employees, families, and friends a structured venue to particpate in a global non-profit organizaiton dedicated to global health. This includes both environmental and human heatlh. FSI is in its developmental state. This Institute will bring great pride to all Frost & Sullivan employees. We hope that everybody gets involved. Our first two scheduled meetings are with Bill Gates and Al Gore."

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[John McGonagle]

Now I am confused. GTM is Frost & Sullivan (the company's) Global Team Membership program.For details on it, see this PowerPoint: 216.119.94.44/gtm/overview/GTM_Overview.pps. How does that apply to SCIP's "events and membership services"? It seems to be a F&S (the company) commercial program. GIL Global is F&S (the company's) Growth Innovation and Leadership Program (which appears to be a part of GTM) and which seems to feature a lot of F&S speakers.

And what does having a "management role" for F&S (the Foundation) mean? Is it something beyond 2 board members?

I wish that some members of the BOD would participate to keep us updated on this. They promised transparency, but the F&S (the foundation) email is really opaque.

[Woz Ahmed]

Hi Michael,

I am not sure how this helps SCIP with its financial issues. Did the SCIP board check that what was agreed with F&S I was in the written agreement as something that will actually happen rather than wishy-washy-maybe?

Has anyone asked someone from the SCIP board to join this forum to explain what's actually happening? They eventually found Saddam, so SCIP board members cannot be that elusive.

But has the horse already bolted? Will Mr. Ed return and tell us how he voted?

More seriously though, given how the board appears to have handled this (and based on what I know - which may be out of date or plain wrong), I am amazed that a) members are not asking more questions (analysts vs. sheep), and b) the board hasn't stood down to allow a fresh start. The governance is hilarious. From a safe distance.

But the discussions on this wonderful forum have given me clarity - i'm joining the SLA and focusing my energy on roll-your-own CI initiatives in Europe. As a professional looking to join a CI-related association, SCIP today is a bad advert for CI.

W

[Klaus Solberg Söilen]

What I understand from this F&S will manage the income from the conferences and memberships. What control will F&S have over the SCIP board? How will they divide their power? Who controls FSI? Will there be a reelection of the SCIP board? It says "CI newsletter" and nothing about a journal, does that mean that there will be no academic part in the new organization? It says details are being worked out, who is doing this? When will they present their conclusions?

These are just some immediate questions. Klaus

[Carolyn M. Vella]

I'm back from my stylist with my hair done and naturally blonde. I'd love to lead the revolution but those on the BOD who know me don't exactly love me. I have one friend on the BOD but it is a personal relationship and I don't want to abuse that. Who knows a BOD member they can approach? They MUST be on this blog. They MUST answer these questions. We CAN'T work in the dark. Please help. Carolyn

[Woz Ahmed]

Perhaps they don't know what to say, and would feel uncomfortable answering our questions with a stream of 'TBDs'

[Carolyn M. Vella]

The answer from FSI is certainly not good. We have certainly been mislead by SCIP (surprise?). Frankly, if this goes through as FSI sees it, this offers nothing to me. Either we, as CI professionals and SCIP members, take SCIP back and return it to CI or we become tree huggers. I'm not a tree hugger. I'm a CI professional. Carolyn

[Michael Neugarten]

As Unamuno (the philosopher son of an Italian baker) once wrote - "my job is not to be the bread, my job is to be the yeast". I will be looking with interest at what my colleagues (those (still) in SCIP, and those who no longer are) have to say ...

[Carolyn M. Vella]

Michael, I would love to start the revolution but I have a hair appointment this afternoon. Carolyn

[Woz Ahmed]

I have no hair (so am free this afternoon), but as a non-SCIP member, would look foolish rebelling outside locked doors.