North Coast Connections

Ahhh ... I LOVE this global society. I'm writing from San Jose, Costa Rica where I just finished a project working with a group of court reporters. I've performed considerable international work, but it always amazes me that small, specialty tech consulting firms like mine can not only compete effectively with the big boys and girls, but can actually best them.

Recently, the RTC (www.redwoodtech.org) hosted a presentation of Thomas Friedman's book The World is Flat, and the message is right on point. Go to the RTC website on the HOT TOPICS page for a rundown ... in a nutshell, the presumption was that as society moved into global connectivity and commerce, the larger corporations would be the big winners because only they would have the capital and infrastructure to compete on such a grand scale. As it turns out, the little guys and gals are finding a lot of work because we are nimble, have less overhead and can exploit the need for niche goods and services. Of course, there will always be a need for Coca Cola and Kentucky Fried Chicken, but those smaller players who band together into networks can actually find themselves on top because of high quality goods and services, lower overhead and the ability to move quickly.

A colleague of mine just left for Macedonia to perform work in the courts there for the World Bank. She has a similar project in South Africa later this year.

I am not alone on the local North Coast scene ... there are quite a few global players in Humboldt, but because we market to customers outside of the area we don't tend to advertise or publicize our exploits.

By the way, the weather here in Costa Rica is picture perfect (lucky me), and we had a chance to add a few days at the front and back end of the project to experience some eco tourism through the rainforests, butterfly farms and coffee plantations. When I get back, I have a three day turnaround to Colorado Springs to attend a major conference. Talk about extremes!!

So, vio con dios, mi amigos ... I'll catch you at the market or a local coffee shop,

where folks will ask where were you last week?

oh, we were in Costa Rica on business and had a wonderful time proving that the world is, indeed, flat.

Chris Crawford
www.justiceserved.com