1. Corporate Program Update
Internet2 Industry Strategy Council Meeting
This is a general overview presentation about Internet2. Internet2 is a consortium, led by US universities, which is recreating the partnership among academia, industry and government that fostered today’s Internet in its infancy.
21 November 2003

2. Corporate Program Update
Overview and Assumptions
Considerations and Constraints
Program and Activities
Engagement Strategies
Member Recruitment and Retention
Marketing and Communications
Activities
This is the Internet2 mission.
5/15/2019

3. Overview and Assumptions
Led by higher education, the partnership between industry, academia, and government, that is the Internet2 community, is key to its strength.
Engagement of the corporate community is important to Internet2; this is a critical constituency:
Resources and mindshare support goals and objectives
Context and Method for Technology Transfer - assuring scalability, integration with the global Internet
Leverage across ‘stove pipes’ when goals are common
Validation of what we do and who we are -- Brand enhancement
Supports and enhances academic – industry relationships broadly
5/15/2019

4. Overview and Assumptions
Membership is the vehicle for the engagement and the relationship
Corporate membership has grown from 8 members in 1996 to 66 members in 2003.
Corporate membership has diversified: from all Technology providers to group that includes also content providers, technology consumers, venture funds
Corporate memberships based on engagement and collaboration rather than pure marketing
Continued growth of membership is desirable
As long as the corporate program can scale
Requires a mutual value proposition
Quality not just quantity
Targeted recruiting and directed marketing important
5/15/2019

5. Overview and Assumptions
Corporate Members differ from Regular Members
Diverse set of value propositions
Enablers and constraints regarding Internet2 participation different than the academic community
Relationship management is key for full engagement and retention
More than just the responsibility of Corporate Relations
Important for corporate program to
Demonstrate value to higher education
Strengthen and support Internet2’s role as a place to assure the future of the Internet.
Leverage corporate relationships in support of Internet2 goals and objectives
Recognize and support different value propositions
Provide a venue for cross industry and industry sector collaboration
5/15/2019

6. Considerations and Constraints
Value proposition for corporate participation is diverse, complex, and difficult to measure
Staff turn over within companies creates problems with acquiring and retaining corporate members.
Relationships often at the project level rather than at executive, strategy level.
Increased competition for mindshare and resources i.e. GGF, international
Demonstration of ROI a key factor for companies
Decreased capacity for contributions of financial resources, intellectual mindshare, equipment, $$ etc.
Overt marketing is considered unacceptable in Internet2’s culture
5/15/2019

7. Considerations and Constraints
New models and initiatives challenge the assumption of participation/engagement is for members only
Broad assimilation of middleware, FiberCO, NLR, Quilt
Programs that leverage and support the corporate ‘consumers’ are missing
Positioning of corporate membership
Corporate ‘customers’ for Abilene a hard sell
Costs, Security concerns, Network design complexities
No prototype to production path
Organizational: IT versus line of business area; research group
5/15/2019

8. Corporate Program: Engagement Strategies
Industry Strategy Council input and advice
Engagement Planning and Assessment
Building corporate member involvement into planning process for Internet2 efforts - strategic, tactical, and project level
Enhancing working group activities and opportunities for corporate involvement
Addressing Barriers to Participation in Abilene
Security concerns, network design complexities, fee structures
Engaging corporate strategists and leadership in key activities
Serving as a neutral convener for industry efforts that parallel and support higher education interests
Participating in Collaborative efforts to impact federal policy
Purchasing and licensing agreements in support of research and education community
5/15/2019

9. Corporate Program: Recruitment and Retention
Pipeline Management and Proactive Recruiting
Focus on companies important for strategic directions; important for university research communities
Partner with GigaPoPs and other interest groups/organizations as appropriate
Pursue “Academic Development” contacts in member universities to identify key corporate member prospects with high partnership potential re recruiting
Sector focused development: plans and materials to support
Relationship Management
Corporate Relations focus on engagement – quarterly contacts
Senior Staff focus on building relationship and on executive level interaction with key companies
Plans for Members at Risk
Liaison with business schools
University of Michigan
Harvard Business School
Net 7 new members for 2003: 13 new, 7 lost
5/15/2019

10. Corporate Program: Marketing and Communications
Low key marketing opportunities for corporate members
Corporate Project Websites
Showcases, Spotlights, Case Studies
Member to Member Updates
Poster Sessions
Improved CR web site
highlight corporate member involvement and achievement interactive tools to identify partnership opportunities and to support collaboration
Increased PR opportunities: relationships between Internet2 communications group and corporate communications group.
5/15/2019

11. Corporate Program: Activities
HBS – Internet2 workshop on Business Applications
Academic and corporate participation
Develop framework for continuing study
ongoing activity?
Cross industry activities for commercial members with common interests
Executive Forums
Involve key leaders to develop programs
Topics: Trusted networks, security
Fostering Working groups, SIGs, BoFs
Examples: high performance secure applications, federating organizations group
Considerations for the future:
“Future of the Internet” Forum
Industry Sector/Academic Discipline Groups
5/15/2019