Earlier this week, I mentioned my reading of Three Billion New Capitalists by Clyde Prestowitz. I started reading this in part because I wanted to develop a better understanding of the benefits, challenges, and risks associated with this shift to the East.
Now, we hear a lot about GE and AMEX and Dell "outsourcing" manufacturing and services to India and China, but I don't see much written on how a small company, or better still, how a solo practitioner, can exploit this shift. How can I, as a consultant and adviser, working from my little home office, leverage this wealth of talent and capacity half a world away? What are the risks? What are the characteristics of the partnerships I would need to develop? And, most importantly, how can I (we) enable the emerging life science companies here in New York to tap into this wealth of talent and capacity, while at the same time creating companies and jobs here in New York?
I'll continue to study this issue, again, from the solo practitioner perspective, but I would be interested in hearing/reading your thoughts. Please post comments, or email/Skype/IM me. I will develop this line of thinking further in future postings, and perhaps even in an article somewhere.
This post was inspired, in part, by a recent post on Steve Shu's blog, regarding his very positive and productive collaboration with a fellow in India. Link.
Just sent to you an email on the subject. One thing I wanted to highlight. I have a few relationships with international folks. I think that it is a psychological thing that virtual collaboration technology (email, Skype, blogging) has gotten good enough that I think of people as being in the States. Thus, while contractual arrangements should probably factor in exchange rates and prices in the local markets, I don't do this right now. I think I am doing this and erring (if at all) in the favor of my partner, but in any case, it's an interesting point that I hadn't thought about much until now.
Posted by: Steve Shu | June 23, 2005 at 12:07 AM
"I think that it is a psychological thing that virtual collaboration technology (email, Skype, blogging) has gotten good enough that I think of people as being in the States."
Interesting point. I communicate regularly via IM with someone from Australia. We're somewhat restricted by the time difference (he's +14 hours), but otherwise, it's no different than IM with someone in Boston. So, we tend to IM early my morning (late his evening), and vica versa. It's very easy to forget the geographic difference, especially when you're communicating well and being productive.
Posted by: Carlos N Velez | June 23, 2005 at 09:18 AM
Hi Carlos,
I do a lot of work with open source software, specifically, social software that encompasses working with developers all over the world. You've probably checked out the OSS model and the application to your industry. What's fascinating, happening now is the newer services being offerd with social software - del.icio.us, technoraiti, ideascape, et al. I wrote a post, http://www.advancinginsights.com/mybiz/connect_people_places_and_things_to_ideas_and_information
that offers some basic answers to your questions, "how can I (we) enable the emerging life science companies here in New York to tap into this wealth of talent and capacity, while at the same time creating companies and jobs here in New York?". I would like to talk with you more, you can reach me at 973.433.4007 or via my blog.
warn regards,
jim wilde
Posted by: jim wilde | June 23, 2005 at 09:38 AM