Scouting

Examples of Scouting in the following topics:

• Sourcing Technology

  • Technology can be developed internally or isolated through technology scouting and then implemented through technology transfer.
  • Technology scouting is essentially forecasting technological developments through information gathering.
  • Technology scouts can either be internal employees or external consultants specifically designated to the task of researching developments in a particular technological field.
  • When technology scouting isolates new developments that could potentially provide advantages for an incumbent, strategies to acquire or source this technology become a focal point.
  • Illustrate the varying cost structures, licensing, and scouting procedures involved with technology sourcing

• Assessing an Organization's Technological Needs

  • Technology Forecasting - identifying applicable technologies for the company, potentially through scouting.

• Understanding Current Trends in Technology

  • Information - Scouting and assessing the current technological environment through extensive research teams is necessary to make the appropriate decisions (see "Sourcing Technology" and "Assessing Needs in Technology" within this Boundless segment).

• Building a Diverse Workforce

  • Headhunters and corporate scouting initiatives are also an important attribute of a well-designed diversity-recruitment initiative.

• Differences in Messaging in For-Profit vs. Non-Profit Organizations

  • The Girl Scouts of the USA are well known for selling cookies in order to generate funds.