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Mobile Phone Usage Creates Economic Growth in Developing Nations

This interesting article discusses it. A real good read that certainly reframes some perceptions. When you read it one thing becomes clear, countries with legacy infrastructure are likely to not adopt as quickly as demand is not as urgent. The ultimate effects of this are not yet fully clear but I think it’s an important area to pay attention to. Some highlights:

  • “Financial institutions are realizing that the only way to reach new customers is through mobile networks,” says Nick Hughes, head of the mobile payment team at Vodafone.
  • Expanding mobile networks also brings other economic benefits, experts say. It lures more foreign investment, gives families better access to health and educational information and provides governments with more revenue from licenses and taxes.
  • Mobile phones provide a good way for the younger generation to seek new business opportunities and cash in on Vietnam’s move toward a market economy, says Paul Ruppert, managing director of consultancy Global Point View LLC, who has extensive experience in Asia. “It’s all micro-activity — tailors, small repair shops, textile producers, grocery stores,” Ruppert says. “Even though they’re small, they’re allowed to get an idea of the market via the cellphone.”
  • Research shows that greater cellphone use can drive economic growth in emerging economies. Based on market research in China, India and the Philippines, consulting firm McKinsey & Co. found that raising wireless penetration by 10 percentage points can lead to an increase in gross domestic product of about 0.5%, or around $12 billion for an economy the size of China.

What do you think of mobile’s effects on economic growth in developing and mature economies?

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The Praise for Youtube Revenue Sharing – All for Nothing?

Scoble and others (notice the post alludes to experimentation in monetization) are talking about how great it is that Google is sharing Youtube revenue with content uploaders. As you will recall, after I made my top 10 unanswered questions post, I later asked if Youtube was truly a business at all. So I wondered if this praise was truly warranted. So I just went over to Youtube and refreshed 20 times, got nothing but Youtube promotional ads – those don’t make money.

You will recall that in November and again last night I’m seeing Microsoft Live Search as a primary sponsor on Youtube, perhaps you should all be thanking Microsoft for their generosity, not Google?

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Techcocktail3 is Thursday in Chicago

Techcocktail 3 (RSVP required) is Thursday night! It’ll be nice to see Frank Gruber, Eric Olson, Matt McCall, other venture capitalists, angel funding sources and high growth start ups changing the web scene.

It’s a great opportunity to talk with people and seek relationships of partnership, introductions I’m looking for:

1) Angel or Venture Capital funding for a startup I’m advising and would like be a part of

2) Startups, ecommerce companies or search engines seeking Sales, Marketing or Business Development leadership (open to relocation)

3) Ways to utilize my financial services background in the financing channels of this space

4) Progressive large companies seeking transformation of process and interaction with customers

I will be arriving early at 5:30, I would welcome detailed conversations of any of these issues with anyone who would like to meet up early to talk. Please reach out to me if you’d like to do this. See you there!

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WSJ Writes Unfavorable Yahoo! Article

Kevin Delaney wrote a Wall Street Journal article today that rips on Yahoo! for the way it is handling the conversion to customers.

This flies in the face of all the articles and public opinion I’ve witnessed in person and online. I’m starting to think the Wall Street Journal is a bit guilty of bashing Yahoo! while letting the issues of another certain search engine slide completely. This is unfortunate.