Are You A Small Biz Artisan?

SmallBizTrends:

Welcome to the artisan economy of the 21st century. Chances are, you’re part of it.

Don’t let the word “artisan” fool you. If you’re picturing bakers in white aprons kneading loaves of whole-grain bread, or someone hand-crafting candles — that’s not necessarily what I mean.

The 21st century artisan is a Web designer, or an author, or a manufacturer of a small but exclusive line of luxury items, or a consultant in a niche speciality, or an entrepreneurial-minded attorney who starts selling information products, or an online retailer, or a software developer, or … the list goes on.

The third installment of the Future of Small Business Report is out. This report outlines the growth of artisan businesses:

“The next ten years will see a re-emergence of artisans as an economic force.

Like their medieval predecessors in pre-industrial Europe and Asia, these next-generation artisans will ply their trade outside the walls of big business, making a living with their craftsmanship and knowledge. But there also will be marked differences. In many cases, brains will replace brawn; software and technology will replace hard labor and raw materials, like iron. Yet in many respects, the result will be the same as it was centuries ago: artisans will craft not only their goods, but shape the economy with an effect reaching far beyond their neighborhoods, even their nations. * * *

The coming decade will see continuing economic transformation and the emergence of a new artisan economy. Many of the new artisans will be small and personal businesses — merchant-craftsmen and women producing one of a kind or limited runs of specialty goods for an increasingly large pool of customers seeking unique, customized, or niche products. These businesses will attract and retain craftspeople, artists, and engineers looking for the opportunity to build and create new products and markets.

The Report goes on to make some predictions about the future of small business, including:

• Large businesses will tap smaller businesses as a source of innovation.
• Lightweight technologies such as online software, allow small businesses to manage growth with less time, money and technical skills.
• The family-room factory emerges, as advances in production technologies allow entrepreneurs to develop a wave of innovative products.
• Almost half of small businesses will be involved in global commerce in 10 years.
• Large corporations recognize small businesses not only as customers, but as suppliers and partners.
• Immigrants who bring foreign market knowledge and unique cultural perspectives will be better equipped to identify and customize products for niche markets.

Read more.

Photo by MSDesigns.

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