And the newest and most promising tool in today's business world is the Internet. The Canadians who run these firms don't need to be technical geniuses to figure out how the Net can save them money. Anyone capable of understanding a balance sheet should have no trouble grasping the Net's potential. The Net is already beginning to transform the way business is done in North America and beyond. Canadian firms that don't turn to the Net soon risk falling behind.
Electronic commerce is in the process of reinventing how business is done.
In the 21st century, the Internet is going to be as important a business tool as the cash register and telephone have been during the 20th century. Some business owners and operators are probably more comfortable with people than technology. Some may feel that they are already making decent profits, and that expending time and energy on new approaches is only likely to distract them. And some may have the impression that the Net is only a sales device, with limited application at that. These may seem like reasonable excuses, but they are blunting the competitive edge of too many Canadian firms.