What a computer is to me is the most remarkable tool that we have ever come up with. It’s the equivalent of a bicycle for our minds.- Steve Jobs

The industrial age: machine makers, machine buyers/users, product buyers.

Machine makers: During the industrial age, the best way to create value is to make new technologies that can help people to increase the standard of living. Inventors of the machines to build cars, to produce food and beverages, to make a call,  or to make clothes are examples.

Machine buyers: The second best way is to buy and use the machines to create value. Food manufacturers, clothing factories, property developers, and car manufacturers are examples. The second best way at industrial age is available for those who have sufficient capital, or for those who dare to take financial risks.

Product buyers: The third best way is to consume the value created by the value creators. Everyone raises the standard of living in this value chain.

PS: Contrary to popular beliefs, the industrial age is never over. People think that the world is already a unified and very connected society. It’s not yet. The world is pretty fragmented. Even until today, the best opportunities of industrial age still exist in many countries.

The information age: software makers, software buyers/users, service buyers.

Software makers: During the information age, the best way to create value is to make new technologies that can help people to increase the standard of living. Google, Facebook, Apple, HP, IBM, and Microsoft are examples. Startups, web developers, web designers, or app developers are examples.

Software buyers/users: The second best way is to buy and/or use the software to create value. Notice that I use “and/or”, because we can actually create value with software without purchasing it. Startups, web developers, web designers, digital agencies, or basically all businesses who use software are examples. The second best way at information age is available and affordable for everyone, including those who do not have capital and do not dare to take financial risks. This is also the era when the people who initially take the second best way, can easily take the best way (make new technologies) if they work hard enough.

Service buyers/users/consumers: The third best way is to consume the value created by the value creators in a form of services / products. Everyone raises the standard of living in this value chain.

What’s next?

It will be exciting.

The hardware+software age: smart machines makers/users, smart machines buyers/users.

Let’s write the future together.

🙂

Reach me: vincent.huberta@gmail.com