As the information highway assumes the role of market maker in realm after realm, traditional middlemen will have to contribute real value to a transaction to justify a commission. For example, stores and services that until now have profited just because they are “there” Ð in a particular geographic location Ð may find they have lost that advantage. But those who provide added value will not only survive, they will thrive.
Predictor: Gates, Bill
Prediction, in context:In his 1995 book “The Road Ahead,” Microsoft CEO Bill Gates writes: ÒAs the information highway assumes the role of market maker in realm after realm, traditional middlemen will have to contribute real value to a transaction to justify a commission. For example, stores and services that until now have profited just because they are ÔthereÕ Ð in a particular geographic location Ð may find they have lost that advantage. But those who provide added value will not only survive, they will thrive, because the information highway will let them make their services available to customers everywhere. The idea will scare a lot of people. Most change feels a bit threatening, and I expect dramatic changes in the business of retailing as commerce flows across the highway. But, as with so many changes, I think once we get used to it weÕll wonder how we did without it. The consumer will get not only competitive cost savings, but also a much wider variety of products and services to choose from.Ó
Biography:Bill Gates, the most influential technology entrepreneur of the late 20th century, was the primary author of the prediction-packed 1995 book “The Road Ahead” and is the founder and CEO of Microsoft Corporation. (Entrepreneur/Business Leader.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Economic structures
Subtopic: Shopping
Name of publication: The Road Ahead (book)
Title, headline, chapter name: Chapter 8: Friction-Free Capitalism
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Pages 158, 159
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne