Today’s Startups Go Bedouin


Today, nearly everything a startup software business needs can be bought as a service. No longer do software companies need to accumulate expensive office space, furniture, IT infrastructure and similar accouterments.

It takes less capital to start such businesses. And — unencumbered by distracting plant and equipment that always seems to sap the team’s time and attention — the business can be more agile.

Greg Olsen, Founder of Coghead calls it “Going Bedouin”:

“By focusing almost exclusively on service-based infrastructure options, a business could operate as a sort of neo-Bedouin clan — with workers as a roaming nomadic tribe carrying laptops & cell phones and able to set up shop wherever there is an Internet connection, chairs, tables, and sources of caffeine. “

I just saw the article when it was reprinted recently at Web Worker Daily, a new blog by Om Malik. Web Worker Daily has the makings of a fine niche publication that explores the trends toward working virtually and being highly mobile, among today’s entrepreneurs, small businesses and corporate workers. Read my initial review of Web Worker Daily over at my Selling to Small Business column at BNET.

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Anita Campbell Anita Campbell is the Founder, CEO and Publisher of Small Business Trends and has been following trends in small businesses since 2003. She is the owner of BizSugar, a social media site for small businesses.

3 Reactions
  1. Jay (Accidental Verbosity), I am sure this concept has been around much longer than we realize. Going bedouin seems to be a sign of the times and a simple fact.