Where are we going?

It is now my second to last day in Bangalore before flying to Mumbai tomorrow evening. ?

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting Bangalore’s version of “Silicon Valley”, called “Electronics City”.? After a 30-40 min ride through some very dense traffic, we arrived at the gates of the technology park.? While on the way, we passed by numerous Class “A” office buildings, home to technology mavens such as Linksys, D-Link, Dell, Siemens, HP and many others.? One of the buildings you can not miss near the entrance is Infosys.? It is simply amazing and would not only fit right in, but stand out, in a place such as Palo Alto.

What does all of this mean?? Why are all of these companies here, so far away from their primary market?

One of the things that is hammered home here, if you are paying attention at all, is just how “flat” the world has become.? This is not something that may happen in 5-10 years, but is ALREADY happening now!?? American’s companies that do not have a global vision will certainly lose their ability to compete.? Just as manufacturing jobs that have left the US to land in much cheaper labor markets, technology jobs are now doing the same.? This is something that can not be “fixed” by enacting new laws, or continue to be ignored by sticking our collective head into the sand, it is something that should be embraced, understood and exploited.

Why wouldn’t a company want to provide a higher level of service, reduce their labor expenses and increase their market size in the process?? There is an entire world beyond our borders that we have mostly ignored, as a whole.? The bubble the US has been living in is not sustainable and adjustments need to be made to make the inevitable bursting easier to deal with.? As we wastefully drive around in SUV’s, heat our water and cool our homes 24/7 even if we are not home, consume vast amounts of high calorie food, other people are living in a much more frugal manner.? These people are hard working, well educated and are learning more every day.?

While the large economic lead the US currently enjoys will not dissipate overnight, it would be ignorant to believe that it is insurmountable.? Creatively, US technology also maintains a solid lead.? However, I can imagine a day in the not to distance future where even that is threatened.?? Shouldn’t all of us in the United States technology industry be concerned about this?? Certainly, but not fearful.? The US population is very small compared to the rest of the world, and while we enjoy a proportionally large middle class…that same relative middle class is increasing all over the world.? This “new” middle class around the world is a far larger market than the entire population of the United States, and will require many of the same services, products and technology we enjoy in the US.? Innovation will be required to meet this demand without overwhelming the resources that are available.? Where will this innovation come from?? It sure seems to be a huge opportunity for the United States, but will we recognize and embrace it in time?

We have become fat and happy in the United States, however in the process we have become arrogant and complacent.? A rude awaking is coming for many, perhaps most, American’s… but I can assure you, not this one. Adapt or die..? I, for one, choose to adapt.

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