"...there is growing evidence to support claims that some social networking services ... can be a powerful professional ally to businesses -- in particular, independent entrepreneurs and smaller companies, for whom each new personal connection is a significant business building block.

LinkedIn and ZeroDegrees are two of the more popular services that facilitate business-oriented connections...."

"Trucking is an important industry in America. The trucking industry is comprised of more than 500,000 for-hire, private and government fleets, including owner operators. It employs 9.7 million people, including 3.12 million drivers, and accounts for nearly 5% of the U.S. gross domestic product."

We picked up on four major trends in Watts' talk, to share with you:

• What a Small World! Watts says we should all get used to the concept of a global culture -- not a U.S. culture, not a European culture, but a global one. Frenchmen go to a DisneyWorld for vacation and eat Big Macs. The world's culture knows no geographic borders anymore.



• Information is King. "The value of information about goods and services eclipses the value of the goods and services themselves," he says. Watts gave as an example certain collectible Campbell's Soup labels. The soup cans cost far less than the labels, which are being sold on eBay for more than 10 times the price of the soup.



• Paradox -- Get Used to the Word. As Watts pointed out, we will be seeing more paradoxes, where society moves in multiple different directions at the same time. For example, low carb diets are hot, at the same time cooking is hot. This is a reflection of the complexity of our world.



• Capitalism Rules and China Ascends.The last two decades have seen the rise of capitalism, affecting China greatly as that country's economic system transforms and morphs. China now has a US$1 Trillion economy and is poised to be a major economic power moving forward.

1. smaller government, including a lower tax burden to support that government;
2. a secure legal structure and protection of property rights, so that businesses can be assured of reaping the benefits of contract rights, patents and innovations;
3. access to sound money, including a reliable banking system and low inflation;
4. freedom to do business internationally, including low tariffs and taxes; and
5. less regulation of businesses.

Editor's note: This is the twenty-third in our popular weekly series of PowerBlog Reviews of other weblogs...

Howard Lovy's Nanobot is the place we go to for "independent nanotechnology information and commentary."

As the title suggests, the weblog is about nanotechnology, a very hot field right now.

Nanotechnology describes science at the molecular level. Materials and substances are made better (stronger, thinner, lighter) through nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology is still a pretty mysterious subject to much of the general public. It has a sci fi air about it, although it is very real and very much part of the here and now.

Howard Lovy, the publisher of Nanobot, de-mystifies nanotechnology. At the same time, he revels in the "gee whiz" aspect of it. And he knows how to use the gee whiz factor to capture his readers' attention, along with some humor and wit thrown in for good measure.

For instance, a recent post entitled "A Night at the Micro Opera" reproduces a photo of an incredibly tiny model of the Sydney Opera House.

"Swinburne University of Technology's Centre for Micro-Photonics constructed a model of the Sydney Opera House. Its dimensions are 64 x 38 x 41 micrometers, (yes, I know; not nano, but cool, anyway). It was built from a hybrid material of glass and polymer. *** What does any of this do to advance the science of nanotechnology? Probably very little. But when it comes to attracting the interest of the general public, you know what they say about that picture/word ratio. The micro opera house was among Yahoo News' most e-mailed photos."

"Garden art ... we're not talking about the little wooden bent-over lady you see everywhere ... but true art... is a necessity in the garden today...."

Few of us are going to spring for the six figures that a Chihuly installation costs. But modestly-priced pieces, such as metal sculptures or one-of-a-kind painted benches, are a different story.

Gardeners who are committed enough to want to decorate outdoor rooms with art, are likely to spend generously if it means a lightened spirit -- and "ooohs" and "aaahs" from visitors.

In my art gallery days I observed that the commercially successful artists tended to pay attention to changing tastes and trends. The garden art trend could open up new opportunities for artists with an entrepreneurial streak who pay attention.

Photo courtesy of www.chihuly.com. Be sure to visit the site and check out the slideshow for "Chihuly in the Garden" at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, a feast for the eyes.

"Amid the layoffs that have become a routine part of corporate downsizing, mergers and outsourcing, there is a growing trend: older executives who can't find new jobs.

Few of these managers ever imagined this could happen to them at what was supposed to be the pinnacle of their careers. But after aggressive job hunts, many former executives discover that even though the economy is picking up, new managerial jobs tend to go to younger workers. Some have responded by starting their own businesses or trying consulting, but others have essentially been forced into early retirement, sometimes many years short of their financial goals."

Tom Ehrenfeld:  I'd like to think the Internet will support entrepreneurs and help them be more successful. What does the Internet do best? Form communities. Spread news. Make connections. Help educate folks with information they might not otherwise have access to.

In each of these categories I see some baby steps being made, but unfortunately, and this would take too long to go into, I fear that virtually every beneficial trend of the Internet in this regard carries negative consequences that are harmful or counterproductive.  Okay, let's consider a few areas.

• Information is now more widely available - but I am appalled at how many people - students for example - who believe that doing a Google search on a topic turns up an objective and comprehensive search for real data.
• Or communities - while it's nice to quickly form communities online, I think this is a very self-selecting and often solipsistic crowd. 
• Finally, one trend in the Internet particularly concerns me, and that is the increasing concentration of thoughts and ideas to a few leaders, none of whom particularly thrill me. Look at the blog world. While on the one hand I love it, the degree of blogrolling concerns me - it's this "small worlds" effect in which the leading players end up generating a disproportionately large amount of mutual links and buzz and attention, and the best ideas on the net become simply the ones with the most links....

Tom Ehrenfeld:  You could certainly say that the Internet has made big companies smaller and small ones bigger.

I think that in some arenas the net amplifies the advantages of big companies (i.e., anything concerning legal battles or the need to fund investments or to leverage existing relationships.) Moreover, the big companies with bigger resources and the patience to sit out trends will often swoop in and capitalize (IBM may not always be first with new products but it certainly knows how to last).

On the other hand, the really smart and focused small players really can use the Internet to form lasting and valuable relationships with customers as long as they find ways to continue to deliver value, plain and simple.

=============

July 20th - Wantrepreneur
July 21st - Duct Tape Marketing
July 22nd - 800-CEO-READ

Tom Ehrenfeld:  I just don't believe the Internet has fundamentally changed the process of starting up a business. Yet. And I believe that the fundamental process is unlikely to change radically as long as we operate under the same economic rules we do know.
 
To succeed, individuals will have to bring together the right mix of resources to capitalize on an opportunity they recognize as having enduring value, and they will have to grow or develop a fundamental skill set to do this in a way that is reflective, responsive, and always open to new learning and change.  
 
I think the biggest change, both actual and coming, has to do with business metabolism - the rate at which companies go through their basic activities. 

• The Internet makes it possible for people to find customers, form networks, communicate with key players, find information, process information, market to folks, and many other activities at a far greater speed. It does so while erasing barriers such as distance and formal (state or national) boundaries. And so companies that have all the elements aligned truly have the potential to grow much faster than before.  
• The downside of this accelerated metabolism: companies can also fold far faster than before. Two reasons: it is harder to maintain a competitive edge in the market as a result - and the big players have more flexibility to attack you as a result.

Small Business Trends Question #4: Will the Internet open up new markets for startups, and how?

Tom Ehrenfeld:  We've certainly seen many technology-based startups benefit from the Internet. As to the next generation of startups...let me simply cite an article I wrote for the Industry Standard several years back, and which continues to reflect my beliefs:  "Small is Beautiful."

Tom Ehrenfeld: On a macro level I believe the Internet bubble created a sense of possibility among teens and college students entering the workforce that entrepreneurship was a viable and achievable career path. A significant number of smart and industrious individuals were exposed to successful people who capitalized on a passion and vision based on the promise of the technology.

Despite the prevailing wisdom that the bubble has turned people off, I truly believe that its positive legacy has been to show the promise (albeit the peril too) of creating your own gig.

Moreover, I see some individuals who hit the jackpot striving to use the Internet to help others launch meaningful companies. In particular, the work of such as Bo Peabody and Matt Harris, who hit it big with Tripod, have gone on to use some of their proceeds to launch Village Ventures, a vc fund enabled by the Internet, that seeks to invest in promising startups located outside of the geographic hotspots like Boston or San Francisco. 

Tom Ehrenfeld: I guess in a fundamental way the Internet has not yet helped individuals tap into the connection between personal aspirations and their business, at least not in a meaningful way that I have witnessed.

I think that the more that individuals can realize how their unique skills and resources and opportunities (themselves or combined with their founding team) can come together in a tangible way that delivers value to customers, the greater their chance of success. I'm not talking about entrepreneurship as a selfish quest for identity - but the need to pour what you know and care about and are good at into a healthy venture.

I do believe the greatest use of the Internet to date is one of marketing. I see many clever individuals using the Internet to create lively blogs and websites that serve as terrific forms of finding prospective customers, sharing company data, and simply helping create opportunities for success. To the extent these sites share personal or differentiated material from the founder, they help "personalize" companies.

Editor's note: This is the twenty-second in our popular weekly series of PowerBlog Reviews of other weblogs...

Online Business Networks Blog is published by David Teten and Scott Allen. It seems to cover just about everything networking with an added emphasis on blogging.

Frequent, regular updating and a longevity are part of what makes a worthwhile blog. This  is a blog that is updated close to daily with some days containing multiple posts, and there are entries going back to March 2003.

Much good information and many worthwhile links are to be found in this blog. I haven't come across a better introduction or more useful ongoing primer on social networking for business. Anyone who wants to learn more about how to social network for dollars and pick up some great pointers on how blogging can make a business stronger should be a regular visitor to Online Business Networks Blog.

But don't be suprised when you come across entries such as the comparison of keyboards Teten posted recently. It is posts such as this that make this blog a real reflection of its editors.

This is a categorized blog and the success stories category is a nice touch. It's always great to hear about how someone else is doing well. The social networking humor category is worth a visit if you're in search of a chuckle. Be sure to check out Allen's definition of "Hooking up with fellow Trekkies" in his entry on nitworking.

The power of Online Business Networks Blog lies in its readablity and the useful information and tips on networking and blogging it delivers. It really is one of the places to go to stay on top of these subjects. And it is just plain fun to read.

"Official statistics show that the number of SMEs registered in China had exceeded 3.6 million by the end of 2003. In addition, another 27.9 million individuals are running their own household businesses in the country. These two categories account for 99.6 percent of the country's total enterprises.

    Though SMEs contribute to 55.6 percent of the country's GDP (gross domestic product) and over 75 percent of urban job opportunities, they are still faced with restrictions and obstacles in many respects, said Wang Chunzheng. Due to these factors, SMEs are still in a weak position in terms of access to information, technology, human resources, finance and market, according to Wang."

"A couple of hundred years ago, that's all anyone ever was, an entrepreneur, in one way or another, because there were no big corporations. I think we all have the stuff inside us to do it, but we get used to things being done in a certain way, like I did at Avon. I got used to having a lot of people working for me whom I could count on and trust. I got used to lots of departments I could access, like research and finance.

If you're considering becoming an entrepreneur, you have to ask yourself what your vision is, and make it so hot and so compelling that it can propel you forward no matter what. Once you have that powerful vision, you have to then ask, 'What am I willing to let go of?' If the vision is so wonderful in your mind, you can let go of that other stuff.

If you can't do that, then don't become an entrepreneur right now.... You have to let go of your old title, getting a paycheck every two weeks, your stock options. You have to let go of that in order to reach out and grasp a new one, and all the possibilities of how you're going to express yourself and what you're going to create."

Editor's note: This is the twenty-first in our popular weekly series of PowerBlog Reviews of other weblogs...

Antoine's Blog on Business and Technology is published by Antonio Fumero of Madrid, Spain.

This blog is written mostly in Spanish, with the occasional article in English, as in this recent post. Most of the links, though, are to English language articles.

Now, my English-speaking readers, please don't stop here. Or you will miss out on some interesting writings.

And the fact is, you probably can read more of this blog than you think. With a little high-school Spanish, and the use of the Google translation tool, you will get the gist of most posts.

In fact, Antonio's blog is a good reason to try out the Google translation tool, or one of the other free tools out there like BabelFish. These translation tools are still rough and have quite a ways to go, but they are more useful than I expected. They don't have the exactness you need for translating, say, a scientific study or a contract, but for getting the gist of a blog post they work reasonably well.

According to his online resume, Antonio is an IT engineer, with experience in the banking industry. He also used to be a translator of technical documentation from English into Spanish.

As the blog title suggests, he writes about the business aspects of technology. He tends to write about telecommunications, collaborative technologies and connectivity, including social network software, blogs, and wikis.

What makes this blog worth visiting is the wide variety and quality of information posted. For instance, it was through Antonio's blog in a post roughly translated as "Complicated Alphabet Soup" that I first learned about the coming development of 802.11n and 802.11s wireless standards -- and found the links to other resources on the subject.

Spain has a thriving blogging culture, and I enjoy a peek into that world through
Antonio's blog.


The Power of Antoine's Blog on Business and Technology is in its coverage of new developments in connectivity and collaborative technologies -- and the fact that it bridges cultures between Spain and the U.S. making the globe a little smaller.

• Tuesday, July 13: We will be participating in Global PR Blog Week. This is a weeklong online conference by some of the fine business, marketing and PR blogs from around the globe. Dave and I will be presenting a case study on how companies can use blogs to spot, analyze and track trends. We will be available from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon (Eastern U.S. time) on July 13th via instant messenger to answer questions. We can be reached at "Smallbiztrends" on AOL instant messenger, and "smallbiztrends" on Yahoo messenger during those times.



• Monday, July 19: Small Business Trends will host a stop on the popular Business Blog Book Tour. The subject of the Tour is the excellent book, The Startup Garden. We are thrilled to report that on July 19th we will be posting an interview with the author, Tom Ehrenfeld, about how the Internet has changed the nature of startups. Tom graciously has agreed to share his trend predictions for how the Internet will impact entrepreneurs and small businesses in the future. Don't miss this one -- you will want to drop by and leave your comments!

"Open-source software certainly is a competitor for Microsoft. But is it a sustainable form of competition? Indeed, open source generates some obvious questions. For example, are entrepreneurs, businesses and other innovators going to do their best work when they aren't creating their own property? Is security and troubleshooting best performed in such an open, non-proprietary setting? Anyone with a minimal understanding of economics will see that the answer to both questions is no.

For good measure, open-source software creates potentially significant liability risks for businesses choosing to use it. How do those providing and using open-source applications know that someone's intellectual property wasn't stolen and inserted? They really don't. Such lawsuits already have been brought, and it's easy to envision them spreading significantly.

If programmers want to spend time creating free software, and businesses want to cash in on this work, so be it. That's their decisions to make. But it doesn't stop there. Many in the open-source crowd, as the Times noted, "propose rewriting intellectual property laws worldwide to limit their scope in duration." In fact, many just simply want to do away with intellectual property rights altogether."

"...I believe that micro-businesses will continue to grow in number and importance because being self-employed allows people to balance work and family in a way that is usually impossible as a salaried employee with a full-time job.

• Women headed a mere 4.5% of all funded firms and received 4.2% of the capital. This amounts to just 84 women-led companies in the U.S., raising $783.8 million.



• Of those women receiving funding, the largest concentration (44%) was in health care.



• The next highest concentration (30%) was in business software and services, followed by 14% in the connectivity sector.



• Only 217 investors provided venture capital to women-led companies. (It comes to more than the total of 84 firms because investors partner up on investments.)



• Women are not well represented in other key roles in VC-funded firms. Over 1,150 VC funded companies headed by male CEOs did not employ any women executives.