You make very valid points that I agree with completely, but I would add the vanishing or nearly extinct work ethic to the list of maladies harming many businesses – large and small. The modern generation’s, “I want a lot of money for as little work as possible – assuming I show up at all” mentality has placed America’s businesses in peril.

As a former manager in both large and small organizations, finding the “cream of the crop” to hire was a labor-intensive, frustrating experience. For most companies, their single biggest expenditure is their payroll and the constant influx and outflow of employees is killer not only in terms of product/service continuity, but also in training costs that never lead to a fruitful worker!

Case in point, my local Wal-Mart has been open less than two years, yet they have gone through five store managers. Further, I am told that 1/3 of their applicants fail the drug screening. Another third decide to quit because there is more effort involved in working than they are willing to expend. Thus, the store runs on a fraction of the staff it needs, leading to very long lines and widespread customer dissatisfaction. If it weren’t for their cheap prices, I would never pass through their doors!

Thus, I find myself turning more and more to the internet to purchase just about everything except groceries. Further, I would much rather do business with (and work for) a small organization because it is easier to reach a “live” person for support and they generally have to provide a higher level of service to successfully compete with the “big boys”. Long live the internet as the great equalizer!

BTW, this is a great blog and I enjoy reading what you have to say. Thanks for the fresh, intelligent content! [Perfect illustrative photo, too - I love pups!]