Innovator’s Dilemma – Political vision & will by championing solutions that can be realized at intersection of technology & policy

Imagine a silver bullet that could simultaneously do the following:

1) Reduce the USA’s dependence on oil,

2) Reduce the USA’s impact on the environment,

3) Reduce relevance of Oil on the USA's economy and thus the stranglehold suppliers from volatile, hostile regions have on the USA’s economy and Defense policy as it pertain to protecting the USA’s vital interests (in terms of our oil based economy).

4) Reduce the strain on the USA’s aging infrastructure of roads, bridges, tunnels (etc.), extending the duration of usability of the USA’s infrastructure which would also save on government expenditures.

5) Provide an economic stimulus to small, medium and large businesses, setting the stage for increased business investment and profitability for shareholders.

6) Provide an economic stimulus to individuals that increases disposable income, setting the stage for increased consumer spending and investment.

7) Provide a stimulus to the Telecom sector, still striving to climb out of the biggest meltdown in the history of the USA’s economy, as well as various technology industries including online security of vital information.

8) Increase family time by adding hours available to adults to be with their kids and loved ones, their communities, etc.

9) Assist Homeland Security with decentralizing our valuable human resources by slowing the brain-drain trend of American’s talent to major metropolitan areas which are also known to be targets in the current Terror War.

The “how” has already been proven to work on a small scale…being done selectively by individuals and businesses for about two decades. If managed aggressively to scale participation to critical mass, the “how” could unleash all of the above benefits.

What is the a “how”? Simple. Telecommuting.

Around since at least the 1980’s, telecommuting has yet to have the aggregate impact on the above due to a variety of reasons. However, fundamentally, those various reasons (desired face-time by bosses and subordinates, company politics, etc.) can be overcome if businesses are baited to act in a way that helps decision makers and businesses have an opportunity to increase the bottom line. Accomplish this by having the government institute a tax-break program for businesses that rewards companies with X%, Y% or Z% tax incentives if they arrange to have A%, B% or C% of their work force work from home.

All of the above 9 benefits and more could be realized over time by the USA if a Presidential candidate stepped up as champion of a program like the above. Borrowing a page from the government’s approach to not tax internet commerce so that this emerging aspect of the USA’s GNP can realize its full growth potential as quickly as possible, a carefully though-out government stimulus program designed to motivate action/participation by businesses that is tax revenue neutral or even positive (like recent tax cut initiatives have proven to be) would help scale this “how” so that the USA can lead the evolution into a sensible new world order that addresses global concerns while at the same time enhances the potential for strengthening households and communities.

Why not??!!