Will the Big Business Dragon be Slain by the Nimble Entrepreneur?

The Big Jelly and The Entrepreneurial Revolution

I attended a great event earlier this year called The BIG Jelly in Telford, Shropshire. It was brought to life by three energetic and determined women, Jan Minihane, Fay Easton and Judy Heminsley, all of whom spent many hours organising a fantastic event for home workers, freelancers and small businesses.

One of the key things about home workers is that technology has allowed them access to a huge new global market both in supply and demand. However this can often be a blind spot for those just starting out and the seasoned freelancer who might have missed the signs.

It is all too easy to lose one’s sense of perspective when working in isolation, seeing the same four walls and thinking you have little power. What this special event achieved was the bringing together of about 100 small business people ready to make a change.

And what a change it has made. You only have to do a Google search using #BIGJelly to realise a spark has been ignited.

The speaker that stood out for me was Daniel Priestley with provocative statements such as, ‘There is no such thing as a career’, ‘Everyone and everything is connected’ and ‘We all need a brand built on a micro-niche”.

He also exposed the power of the internet and the possibilities it presents to those thinking of starting a small business. For example:

• A Facebook page for people who collect fruit stickers now 131 members strong
• Internet millionaires such as Michelle Phan with over 74 million channel views
• Online resources such as 99 Designs where you can source professional graphic design at very competitive prices

The big idea in his talk was that the outdated concepts surrounding big business and the economic drive for continuous growth is unsustainable and that the Entrepreneurial Revolution is upon us.

Our world is changing and the old systems are breaking down. People no longer trust the old institutions whose leaders are being exposed as ruffians without values. More and more we will want to do business with those people who we can trust, are seen to be authentic and have a passion for what they do. The focus will be on value and not financial gain for the sake of it.

People are looking to be fulfilled and lead a life which allows them to work on their passion and has depth of meaning. Large organisations can’t provide this and the best people will leave to pursue meaningful work as the new entrepreneurs.

If we can create micro niches to solve specific problems, harness the power of the internet to get our message across and drive down the cost of access to resources that give a competitive advantage, the new entrepreneur will flourish. Large businesses are going to have to partner with these pockets of excellence as they lose the intellectual capital from their work force.

It is my belief that corporations will have to change quickly and radically or else be swept away by this revolution. It’s about time these dragons were replaced by a new breed – the nimble entrepreneur.

See Daniel Priestley on Slideshare for more info on the Entrepreneur Revolution

What is your view of the state of big business and are you ready and willing to join the Entrepreneurial Revolution?