And, because direct sales and distribution are on the rise, people who play the role of intermediary are in big trouble. Most of us will remember that it used to cost hundreds of dollars to process a simple transaction. Now, in Australia a grocery store's automated debit card system can clear a Toronto-based bank transaction in two or three seconds. On the positive side, this means that small one-person consultancy firms can become successful global players. On the down side, it suggests that old-style middle managers have no useful role to play in the new economy.
Systems can be beautiful.
A marvelous concept. A guest is greeted at the door, checked in and taken to her room by the same person. Sometimes making the system beautiful means getting rid of the fine print. If that means a few bad guys will take advantage of the situation, so be it. Information should be friendly, easy to understand and available to everyone who wants it.