With the economy changing into a sharing one, entrepreneurs need to adapt to maintain successful.

Sharing a cow or parts of your production line is what we call production-based usership. This type of production is rapidly growing. A lot of the initiatives have the ultimate goal of better using what the earth has to offer us. What can entrepreneurs learn from this change in the production process?

Lessons and implications

  • The middle man is being cut out. By buying the product straight from the producer, the producer is guaranteed a fair price and the consumer has much more insight into the origins of what he’s buying.
  • Road-to-market for everyone. It is becoming much easier to become an entrepreneur. For example, renting a kitchen space makes it much easier for a hobby chef to bring his products to market.
  • Less waste because of optimal allocation of means. By knowing ahead of time how much you have sold, you waste less.
  • Business and private domains are intermingling. This can only happen if there is a certain amount of trust. Consumers want to know who the people behind the production are, and vice-versa.
  • New entrepreneurs and their creative start-ups are an interesting breeding ground. They offer a lot of inspiration for existing companies and for consumers that are considering making the step to producer or prosumer.
  • For suppliers the potential consequences are serious. Entrepreneurs are sharing equipment with each other instead of buying it.
  • If this shared use story becomes even bigger, manufacturers are going to have to take this into account. They will have to supply equipment that is built to last if the intensity of use increases exponentially.

Do you want to read more about the sharing economy?

Photo: Marty Desilets