03/02/2007 07:02:00 AM 
Back in 2005, we wrote about the potential of this transforming marketplace.
"The web already allows us all to become entrepreneurs for our own personal brand, managing our brand through blogs and social networking. Perhaps in the near future, we will want to monetize some of our ideas and become a part-time small business. The opportunity to treat small business as plug and play, without the worry or risk of long-term commitment, seems a likely possibility for all of us."
It now looks as if this opportunity is only going to get bigger.
Recently, the financial software giant Intuit, commissioned the Institute of the Future to look into the future of the category.
Here are some of IFF's thoughts on how the changes in the world of small business:
1. A More Diverse Group of Entrepreneurs
There will be more women, more immigrants, more retirees (who won't be able to afford to be idle) and more people starting a business as their first job. (Gen Y have a built in desire to start something of their own)
2. More Personal Businesses
There will be an explosion of boomers and fewer jobs for them, so many will be forced to create their own one-man-band businesses and this will be leading much of the growth for small business
3. More Education
Business education is widespread, but entrepreneurial education isn't, that looks set to change and will accelerate the growth of small business development.
According to web god Jason Calcanis there?s one great opportunity to service this new breed of entrepreneurs, be the "Starbucks of Office Space"
Clearly, it looks like Jason hasn?t been reading his business journals, because there are already a handful of companies looking to do just that.
Beyond the space issue, brands in financial services, office supplies, computing, computer services all have a tremendous opportunity here.
It's also going to fun seeing how these brands try and capture the emerging entrepreneurs in Gen Y.
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