Offshore Outsourcing Blues

lobbied Congress and the Bush administration

"The United States gave these corporations the ability to... exist and flourish. Now, these corporations choose to turn their backs on this country and its people." ... ls

"Every industry has gone through this cycle. The things that are repetitive get bidded down to the lowest bidder while the creative work is where the action is... Don't lament the change--embrace it and manage to it." ... Terry

"Many of America's corporate officers continue to raid their companies' coffers for record breaking salary and bonus packages while preaching the gospel of offshoring. They want to reap the benfits of being in America while not having the burden of putting something back into our society." ... Darryl Malcom

"Maybe HP and others should take their executives from here in the U.S. and move them overseas, where the cost of living is lower." ... Joe B

I try to be sanguine about the offshore issue. I'm happy when foreign competition brings down the prices of cars and electronics, so it strikes me as unfair to complain too much when foreign competition drives down the going rate for IT services. Smart VARs know the secret is to continually innovate into new, higher-margin businesses. At least that's how it's supposed to work, right?

Digital Connect Launches

And speaking of new, high-margin, resistant-to-offshoring businesses, the next frontier may be at home. Our new Digital Connect magazine looks at solution provider opportunities in building small business and networked home solutions. The premiere issue includes coverage of digital home opportunities, a CRN Test Center review of all-purpose flat panel displays, and an examination of Microsoft and Apple's competing visions of the networked home. Find all that, along with the latest news, at http://www.digitalconnectmag.com.

Starting the Year On The Right Foot

If you missed these features during the holidays, it's not too late to catch up on CRN's Outlook 2004 / Twenty to Watch special report, or VARBusiness' Top Channel Stories of 2003 feature. This week, you also find coverage of the giant Comsumer Electronics show in Las Vegas in our CES News Center.

Happy New Year!