When I was working on my doctorate degree, I first read Peter Drucker’s ideas on the knowledge society.

Drucker contended that the USA had to move away from the industrial society into a knowledge based, service society. In the 25 years since, I’ve seen that move, but I question that it’s what Drucker had in mind.

I question how the USA improves it’s gross national product through consulting and serving each other. The result of the move to a knowledge, service economy has Americans buying more products produced elsewhere, and producing less that other countries want to buy from us.

We all need products to survive. We can live without services more easily. So in tough economic times, people cut services first, and buy information (knowledge) last, if at all.

The result for small businesses is that many, who provide service and information, have been hard hit during the recession. I recently read that the information industry suffered the most during 2009.

How Can Small Businesses
Compete In The Global Economy?

So what does this mean for small business owners and potential entrepreneurs? I believe it demonstrates that we must combine our knowledge in business ventures that produce products that other countries will purchase from us.

But how do we accomplish this when so much of our expertise has nothing to do with producing anything more than information and services for USA residents and businesses?

And how do we produce products when financing for start-up businesses is near non-existent?

How  Can We Collaborate To Grow Business
And The Gross National Product?

I believe we must combine our expertise, experiences, and funds to start new businesses that produce products other countries will buy. I’ve suggested a couple of times in this series that small business owners combine their expertise to accomplish more than they can possibly accomplish alone.

But we have to bring more to the table than knowledge. We must apply that knowledge. To paraphrase a common expression, we have to work the work as well as talk the talk.

Too many of us want to just tell others how to do something. We don’t want to do it.

For example, I’ve spent thousands on coaching for my Internet business. Yet only one of those coaches was willing to do any of the work himself. And many gave me advice that required lots of work on my part that proved ineffective. One coaching service kept changing their advice even though each change required additional work for me. Yet they provided no accountability for the effectiveness of their advice.

I believe we must quit coaching and consulting each other and actually start doing the work in businesses that combine the expertise and skills of inventors, manufacturers, marketers, technicians, researchers, distributors, financiers, etc.

Do We Need Clearing Houses
For Entrepreneurs?

I believe we need national clearing houses where experts with the entrepreneurial spirit can meet others with different expertise and skills to collaborate on business opportunities that none could successfully do alone.

And no, we don’t need the federal government to create and manage a clearing house for us. Private business can do it more effectively and efficiently.

So let’s start putting our heads and hands together to grow our combined and individual wealth and the wealth and health of our nation.

What Are You Willing To Do
For Yourself And Your Nation?

Would you be interested in participating in a clearing house or collaborating with other entrepreneurs to help our economy, our nation, and our individual futures? Do you have other ideas about how small business can help grow our gross national product? Then join the conversation by leaving your comment.

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Posted 2-3-10:
How Can Small Business Improve
The Gross National Product?

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