- We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. -

Famous words by that master inventor, Albert Einstein, a man who knew about solving problems. In this economic downturn, many employees are finding themselves out of work, small business owners are faced with declining revenues, and self-employed entrepreneurs are seeing resources and markets shrink. How to solve this problem?

The official, institutionalized training many received in formal education offers little enlightenment. Learn a skill get a job, live your life does not always add up to continual prosperity and enjoyment. Old jobs are drying up; many industries shrinking. True, there will always be a need for some workers, clerks, shop keepers, salesmen and so forth…but do you really want more of the same? When the economy recovers, and it will, how long until the next recession? On average, the United States faces an economic downturn every twelve to fifteen years. Go back to school? Get new training? Get a new job working for someone else? You may find yourself in the same predicament at the next recession.

So want kind of new thinking is required? Simple - online based entrepreneurship. As mentioned earlier, even the self employed entrepreneurs are suffering the effects of this poor global economy. However, there are certain tools and strategies one can use to buffer yourself from the downturn.

First, internationalize via the World Wide Web. Obviously, the fact that you are reading this article online suggests that you are already web savvy. Take that to the next level - sell yourself and your services online. Affiliate sales or personal product creation, or the writing of a how-to eBook can all be lucrative and distributed relatively easily on a global scale.

Second, become the expert or the supplier or the source then, market yourself. Articles, social sites, forums, web-based advertising are relatively easy, inexpensive ways to become known and trusted world-wide. Additional tools and services will only help. Find the experts and pioneers of online entrepreneurship and join with them. Learn and model yourself on their forward thinking.

There is enormous potential in the internet. It is a gold mine that has barely been excavated. Training and knowledge are involved but new instruction, not the same tired processes of the past. The business and marketing world is changing. You can join the forward progress or watch wistfully from the side-lines. How will your thinking change to solve your economic troubles or goals?