Those of us in the tech industry are always enamored with technology innovation of any kind. But then we come across articles like this Oxford University study that shows digital technology firms are creating far fewer employment opportunities than players in the “early computer revolution”.
That may be the case for that market sector, but we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that digital innovation has opened up a wealth of opportunities in other quarters, especially for young entrepreneurs – a group that is growing by leaps and bounds. With the advent of easy to deploy, inexpensive technologies, new graduates can easily start a viable business without incurring high infrastructure costs. Not to mention the fact that automation and integration allows them to level the playing field with larger entities, especially when they can manage their operations from a tablet or other handheld device.
So before we despair that automation is taking away jobs, remember that while it might take fewer people to run a business today, there are a lot more newcomers that can stay in business for the very same reason. And for all those startups and small business owners that succeed, jobs will follow naturally.
Of course connectivity is the key in all this. Whether you’re a fledgling company just entering the market, a small service company operating on a limited budget, or a new microbrewery trying to level the playing field with big players, entrepreneurial success is all about having the right connections. And that’s where we can definitely help.
Do you feel automation is hurting or helping business opportunities?
By Werner Sievers, CEO