The Great Digital Scramble
Think about your local butcher, baker, or candlestick maker. A few years ago, having a website was a nice-to-have. Then the world turned upside down, and suddenly, being online wasn't just an option, it was a matter of survival. Every small enterprise, from the corner cafe to the independent consultant, had to figure out how to take orders, accept payments, and manage their affairs without relying on foot traffic and a dusty old cash register.
This wasn't a temporary blip. It was a permanent rewiring of the economy. These small businesses aren't going back to the old ways. They can't. To compete today, they need the tools that allow them to operate efficiently online. This has created a colossal, sustained wave of spending on the software and services that make modern commerce possible. It’s an inevitable trend, and one that I think has years left to run.