Companies like Google and Netscape knows what it takes to run a successful business. It is the business model, and not the product that determines success or failure of software companies. That’s what many start-ups have unhappily discovered for themselves.

I’ve still much to learn, yet something have learned on what start-ups should better do:

1. -remain a “product company” long enough to build a customer base, before offering customization and services
2. -run the business independently from distribution channel
3. -avoid appointing the chief engineer as business manager.

In our interlinked economy, countries are no more relevant units of analysis. Multinational companies no longer think in terms nation states. Other units of analysis like -language, age, climate, lifestyle are much more relevant.

Why should I have a subsidiary in Finland and one in Sweden? Why should I have a Nordic Office at all, instead of having a sales agent for -truck drivers- or for -gardeners- wherever they may be?

At the cash register, we’re all brother in arms.