I'd argue that the biggest problem blocking economic growth remains the relative collapse of the financial markets. It's practically impossible to get funding for companies in the current environment. Warren Buffett and the various world governments are busily bailing out the multi-billion dollar conglomerates -- but there's nobody doing anything for the startups.
Since I own a golf cart and drive it everywhere on the more than 110 miles of strictly golf cart trails in The Villages, Fl, where I currently reside, I agree with the electric car idea, but I also think that more people need to work from home, as I do. I have tanked up my 2001 GMC Sierra long-bed truck only twice in the past 2 months, because of my golf cart / working from home situation. I do not agree about broadband, because I have an air card for my laptop and dialup for my desktop computer. Dialup is not as slow as some may think, if you know how to use it effectively. Besides, all libraries have internet-enabled computers and people could do themselves a favor by actually USING their libraries!
As for startups, I started a 'startup', but I called it 'a business' and didn't get hung up on 'needing angel investors' etc. If you have a product idea, etc. then by all means, start a business, but forget about giving your employees air hockey, pingpong tables, free breakfasts and 'flex hours'. Buy used furniture and give your employees a refrigerator / microwave as a 'benefit'. It certainly worked for MY company. I started out with myself and one employee. He's still with my company but now there are 432 employees, and the attrition rate is 0.005%.
Just stop calling new businesses 'startups' and stop looking for $$$$$ and do it on your OWN. Kick start that!
@ Tante Waileka. Definitely the way to go: bootstrapping a new business, taking advantage of the currently available technologies from Internet to Mobile for lowering the operation costs.
I'd argue that the biggest problem blocking economic growth remains the relative collapse of the financial markets. It's practically impossible to get funding for companies in the current environment. Warren Buffett and the various world governments are busily bailing out the multi-billion dollar conglomerates -- but there's nobody doing anything for the startups.
ReplyDeleteThat's the market we need to kick start.
reinharden
Since I own a golf cart and drive it everywhere on the more than 110 miles of strictly golf cart trails in The Villages, Fl, where I currently reside, I agree with the electric car idea, but I also think that more people need to work from home, as I do. I have tanked up my 2001 GMC Sierra long-bed truck only twice in the past 2 months, because of my golf cart / working from home situation.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree about broadband, because I have an air card for my laptop and dialup for my desktop computer. Dialup is not as slow as some may think, if you know how to use it effectively. Besides, all libraries have internet-enabled computers and people could do themselves a favor by actually USING their libraries!
As for startups, I started a 'startup', but I called it 'a business' and didn't get hung up on 'needing angel investors' etc. If you have a product idea, etc. then by all means, start a business, but forget about giving your employees air hockey, pingpong tables, free breakfasts and 'flex hours'. Buy used furniture and give your employees a refrigerator / microwave as a 'benefit'. It certainly worked for MY company. I started out with myself and one employee. He's still with my company but now there are 432 employees, and the attrition rate is 0.005%.
Just stop calling new businesses 'startups' and stop looking for $$$$$ and do it on your OWN. Kick start that!
@ Tante Waileka.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the way to go: bootstrapping a new business, taking advantage of the currently available technologies from Internet to Mobile for lowering the operation costs.
My city is discuss public records request policy... why it sum information should be online.
ReplyDelete