Is Capitalism The Right Answer for Emerging Markets?

Given our extensive presence in emerging markets and the implosion of Western-style free market capitalism, the following question is becoming relevant and important: Is capitalism the right answer for emerging markets?

I would like to open up the topic for discussion. Please use my recent piece Restructuring Capitalism as context, and share your thoughts on where countries like India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, Africa, and so on should be heading.

India, for example, has a long history of family-run businesses. Its conglomerates are all family-run, and even in the SMB sector, family-owned and -operated businesses constitute a fair share of the economy. Today, with the advent of angel and venture financing, albeit still small in its impact, India is starting to change.

China is practicing  a hybrid model of communist capitalism – state run, efficient, and extremely high growth.

The financial markets, the discipline of speculation, and the comfort level with debt, otherwise known as leverage, are all timid in the emerging markets compared to the West. Perhaps that’s a good thing in the long run.

What are your thoughts?

When Is The Right Time To Join 1M/1M?

By guest author Irina Patterson

We often hear from entrepreneurs, “As soon as I validate my business, I’ll join 1M/1M.” That’s flawed thinking. Let me explain why.

Very often we find people doing the wrong things in the wrong order, and by the time they come to us they are desperate and they panic. >>>

Business Plan Competitions Can Fuel Local Entrepreneurship

By guest author Irina Patterson

Would you like to run a co-branded business plan competition with 1M/1M?

The winner will receive a complimentary one-year subscription to the 1M/1M premium program. >>>

Entrepreneurs: Here Is How You Can Help

By guest author Irina Patterson

We get this often. “I love 1M/1M. How can I help?” Let me address that.

The best way you can help is by joining 1M/1M and succeeding as an entrepreneur yourself. >>>

Incubators: What Does It Cost To Bring An Entrepreneur To Profitability?

By guest author Irina Patterson

For-profit or non-profit, you must maximize your resources. Capital. Human resources. Time.

The longer it takes for you to mentor an entrepreneur to profitability, the more expensive that becomes. Long development cycles also have an impact on entrepreneurs’ survival because they are really strapped for resources. Drag them out too long, and they will go out of business. >>>

How To Bootstrap A Business While Holding Down A Job

By guest author Irina Patterson

Have a job? If you do, it’s awesome. You can use the paychecks to bootstrap a company. Here is how.

Join 1M/1M premium program today. Spend 50 hours studying the 1M/1M Curriculum. Do it evenings and weekends. In two to three months or sooner you will fully understand how to start and build a viable technology company, Silicon Valley style. >>>

Incubators: You Can Nurture Regional Entrepreneurs on Auto-Pilot

By guest author Irina Patterson

Andrew Wong, Malaysian National Incubator Network Association president and MAD Incubator CEO, is one of many 1M/1M affiliates.

For Andrew, 1M/1M is a tool to groom the entire pool of entrepreneurs in Malaysia.

>>>

Entrepreneur, What Are Your Current Challenges?

By guest author Irina Patterson

As an entrepreneur, what are your current, top-of-mind challenges?

At 1M/1M, we are focused on helping you address these challenges, so it would be great if you share with us:

(1) A brief description of your business
(2) Your current challenges (customer validation, customer acquisition, funding, etc.)
(3) Your phone number and/or Skype ID, so that I can go over the above with you and see how we can help.

Please write to me at irina@sramanamitra.com and we’ll arrange a phone or Skype conversation to discuss your situation further.

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