I wanted to quickly put my thoughts down, prior to forgetting my own thought process that lead me to my conclusions. While I believe Adrian had some really interesting points at this mornings #BTVSMB, and did a nice job presenting, I think that there are some major points which were glossed over, or are just different for Vermont. My point in writing this is that I believe that he is trying to solve a problem which not many small Vermont business have. All respect to Adrian, and I applaud the fact that he came to our little state from Minnesota (did the reverse commute for a about a year...). He is certainly more knowledgeable than I in many areas, there is one that I would like to discuss further.

Relationships - People want them, maybe not with an inanimate object, but with other people.

This is an especially important message for Vermont businesses (or all small businesses). Customers absolutely want to have a relationship with you. If you are small business, the distinction between 'you' and your business is gray at best. You have 'skin in the game', you talk to your customers on the phone, they are your neighbors and your have something large companies are struggling to create. The problem that large companies are trying to solve is how in the world do they scale what you have - as a small local business. The objective is not the relationship - as Adrian also pointed out. But the next logical step is what are the outcomes of the relationship, that is what the company is really after.

I am a bit passionate about this topic, and it the subject of my Enterprise 2.0 presentation (should it gain acceptance) in Boston. Wait, Enterprise, not small business? Ah, here is the connection. My topic is what can small business teach the Enterprise. When I listen to talks like I heard today, the real problem is not how small businesses can emulate what larger ones are doing in this space. The issue for small businesses is how not to  lose what makes your business unique - your personality and that of your employees. How not to lose the character of your value, ethics and maintain the trust your customers have in you because they can look you in the eye.

The future of business, and the ones that get it now, is that your employees are your company, large and small. Therefore, your customers do want a relationship with the company, by extension. The real problem is how to keep that real in the land of everything digital?

Again, all respect to Adrian, Rich and for bringing speakers to our little corner of the US. I heard a great comment by the way, and maybe it will stick. After SXSW, we would have North By Northeast NBNE - I cannot take credit for that, do not remember who said, but it sounds good!.