Re: UKNM: State of the Nation

[kahlil garbo]

---Nabil Shabka <

nabilbibliotech [dot] net

> wrote:

> Why is so much technology invented

> here and then exported in order to be exploited?

> Why are companies so slow to adapt to new methods?


One of the key benefits of the Internet in the context of the global

economy is that once you have a successful product, that initial

investment can be leveraged into other markets - take Yahoo! as an

example. Once the US version was off the ground and successful, they

made strategic partnerships worldwide and capitalised on their

investment. I see Scoot are taking a similar route with Scoot Belgium

and Scoot Holland.


This basic tenet of the New Economy is one that has seemed to pass by

many business managers in this country, in contrast to the zeal and

fervour of US entrepreneurs. Britain, along with countries like

Finland have a strategic advantage in the EU in terms of

infrastructure and market penetration. An advantage that that is being

quickly squandered.


There are two ways out: one, we could form a well-funded trade body

uniting organisations (companies, special interest groups like PACT,

BIMA, IWA etc) that wish to advance the Internet in the name of

commerce and free trade and *agressively* lobby Government, which is

now rapidly realising that inward investment from South East Asia is

not going to shore up the economy.


Two, get a cheap flight to America. Eat steak, watch baseball, learn

how to mix a good Martini, watch reruns of Joanie Loves Chachi and

just generally soak up American culture. Why? If this parlous state

continues, then chances are all of us (entrepreneurs excluded) will be

working for Americans and you'll need something to talk to your boss

about!


Sajid Mohammed

_________________________________________________________

DO YOU YAHOO!?

Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com