Just sharing a few thoughts on the future of the new "Information Revolution", which is taking the world by storm. As we all know, the internet revolution is evolving at a dizzying pace (in spite of the well publicised lack of results of many high-profile "dot.coms", who have demised into "dot-bombs" in recent years!). Change with continue at an ever- increasing pace in the modern world, due to modern technology, I believe.

What we see today can be history next year, or even next week. Five years from now the Internet will be totally different from that which most of us can imagine. The vision of a "nerdish" future with a dash of "Gordon Gecko Wall Street greed" and a touch of youthful creative imagination and energy is one that excites us here in "tranquil, far-off" New Zealand near the bottom of the world). It's a vision my associates and I, as budding entrepreneurs, cherish and have fully embraced - one whereby the "little guys" in small countries like us, can "take on the world" and the major players, the corporates, on a relatively level playing field, except (in most cases) for miniscule advertising budgets.

Geography is no longer a barrier to doing business world-wide through the net. I believe e-commerce (with it's instant and cheap communications) is the new frontier of doing business world-wide - the way of the future, especially for geographically isolated communities, like us. Anyway, what else is there for me to do here in "Sleepy Hollow? LOL. Eagle Productions was started as a "one man business" with NO CAPITAL and just one or two "very clever" friends, who helped "total non-techno me" with technical expertise in this most economically deprived region of "little old, yet beautiful New Zealand". This "personal vision" has now "developed" to a few people working (and having heaps of fun) in "Sleepy Hollow", together with American and South African associates.

My advice is to develop "strategic alliances" with people, whose skills you do not have...so that you ALL benefit from each other's unique skills and expertise (the process of synergy at work: 1 + 1 = 3.)

Knowledge SHARED is knowledge gained.

END OF PART ONE

I think that anyone with the desire and persistence can be successful in cyberspace; because it is a long hard journey to success. I truly believe a good idea, a big helping of enthusiasm, together with a dash of innovation, plus a great deal of time and effort in implementing it, faith in yourself and persistence (not necessarily in that order) is the KEY to internet marketing success.

The present "technological revolution", electronic commerce and the information age could be just the recipe the world needs for a level playing field of socially responsible (or "compassionate"capitalism... and not "Gordon Gecko type greed") - a "new order" in which smaller countries and "the little people" with imagination + vision can take on the corporations and the giant countries, like the US and Japan.

Living in a small isolated " city" of 30,000 people near the bottom of the world made us realise some years ago the tremendous benefits of distributing useful (valuable and most importantly, helpful)  information (hopefully!) around the world at minimal cost via the www. (New Zealand's and specifically, Gisborne's geographic isolation and "survival mentality" certainly breeds entrepreneurial creativity, IMAGINATION and effort!) .

I believe e-commerce (with it's instant communications) is the new frontier of doing business world-wide and is the way of the future (especially for geographically isolated communities, and "homebiz people", like us). Eagle Productions was started as a "one man business" with NO CAPITAL and just one or two "very clever" friends, who helped "total non-techno me" with computer expertise in this most economically deprived region of "little old New Zealand". This has now "developed" to a few people working (and having heaps of fun) in "Sleepy Hollow", together with a number of overseas associates. (We have developed a number of strategic business alliances recently).

We believe an idea, a big helping of enthusiasm, together with a great deal of time and effort in implementing it, faith in yourself and persistence (not necessarily in that order) is the key to internet marketing success. Together with developing strategic alliances with other businesses - it doesn't matter where in the world they may be located, thanks to modern technology. Amazing... but no doubt there are still many more life-changing inventions still to be invented!

Enjoy the incredible journey of the human IMAGINATION down the "river of life".

Good luck

Craig Lock

P.S: As the ancient Chinese proverb said: It's a privilege to live in exciting times (like life in South Africa).

END OF PART TWO

As the ancient Chinese proverb said: It's a privilege to live in exciting times.

I don't have any "techno skills"; yet we work in a "synergetic relationship" (big words to impress you, but which simply means "1 + 1 = 3 - the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts/persons"). We are working together towards a common goals in a business vision, whereby we all help and complement each other with our particular strengths (and attempt to cover weaknesses...and I've got plenty of those!).

I believe it is essential to have a vision of the future to achieve success in business (as in life itself)...because putting the vision into words keeps you on track through imprinting on the sub-conscious mind. Then total focus + EFFORT (ie. ACTION) breeds an absolute commitment to achieving the goal, the "impossible dream".

Everything starts with the seed of an idea in the human mind. Like Steve Jobs and Apple Computers operating from a garage. First you need BELIEF in your product or service. Then one needs the DRIVE and COMMITMENT - ie. ACTION, which I believe, comes from PASSION -the key to success, I believe. Hard work gets your product to the market...then work steadily on your vision and be PATIENT. If your idea is any good, with FOCUS you WILL get the results in time... perhaps ones beyond your wildest dreams. Who knows?

The successful cyber entrepreneur of today could well be the equivalent of the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Kennedy's, Paul Getty's and Henry Ford's of yesteryear, especially in the new ENTREPRENEURIAL (nice big word) AGE, which I believe, is even more important (and a more appropriate term) than the information age (not that I'd like to be one of them, a business "tycoon", btw!).

My associate here, Bill and I have an ultimate vision (or dream) of Gisborne on the East Coast of the North Island of scenic and tranquil New Zealand one day being a "recognised" centre of electronic, as well as conventional publishing, a world-renowned centre in providing quality courses in distance education and adult online teaching. Perhaps one day even becoming a centre of excellence in developing technology in the South Pacific.

Fools, dreamers, "those guys" you're probably thinking...and you don't know what the local mindset thinks of us!

Thanks to my "technogeek" associates, Bill Rosoman in Gisborne, Stephan Van Lingen in South Africa, my former country (http://www.bridgeniche.com) and Erich Licht of Rapture Web design in Ohio, USA (http://www.rapturewebservices.com) for all their hard work, help, drive, talent and vision, as I don't understand much of modern technology - "a total non-techno", who couldn't even turn on a computer four years ago!).

As I mentioned (stop repeating yourself - bad writing, Craig!), I believe an idea, a big helping of enthusiasm, together with a great deal of time and effort in implementing it, belief/ faith in yourself and your product or service, plus persistence (not necessarily in that order) is the key to marketing success and seeing one's vision turn into reality.

My personal vision (and passion) is "exporting information and inspiration to the world."

That is our ultimate vision and something we at Eagle Productions in association with Bill Rosoman of Nugrow Technologies here in Poverty Bay (oops er sorry, Eastland), Stephan and Erich are daily striving towards with all our energies and creative endeavours.

And then dreams and "fairy tales" do sometimes come true.

What you do today could repay you a hundred-fold tomorrow and there is just one rule: As the Nike ad says,

Just go for it following your entrepreneurial dream...and just DO it with all you've got!

Craig Lock

  Whatever the mind can conceive, can be achieved. - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

... and absolutely ANYTHING is possible.

As Jesus Christ said 2000 years ago, "Total faith can even move a mountain"

Without a vision, the people perish - the Bible

We can all use the internet to reach out to the 'global community' and build a better world in this new "Information Revolution" that is upon us. Just make a SMALL DIFFERENCE. Let's use it wisely, respect our diversity and unique cultures; yet celebrate a new world in union. One where, like your founding forefathers in America, you can first celebrate the Independance Day of the strong burning creative spirit that lies within each one of us. If set alight, it is a flame that will burn brightly for future generations on this planet... and perhaps even make your personal VISION of the future a REALITY.

P.S:

What will your grand-children one day be saying about you and what you were doing in the early days of the INFORMATION AGE? Could that perhaps be your "unique destiny" and the legacy that you leave on this planet?