I am part of a nationwide grassroots movement that is encouraging entrepreneurship, by providing inspiration, mentorship and linkages.

We think our national culture, which basically encourages citizens to go to school, graduate and then get a job is too ‘constricting’.  Being entrepreneurial is still not being encouraged or frowned upon, and I remember then the  looks of my teachers who look at disdain at some of our classmates attempting to sell candies or other wares while I was still in high school.

Maybe indeed for many a developing country or actually everywhere in the world now, where take home pay will constantly be wanting and not enough, creating a merchant class who is resourceful and business savvy and enabling them to earn on the side, as well as providing micro finance capital might be a good way to grow the per capita income of an economy.

The best way to enable that is to encourage schoolchildren to set up small buy and sells, if only as part of the training, and allow that in the halls outside of classroom hours. If you think how Michael Dell was able to start his PC business in his dormitory, and how many of Silicon Valleys entrepreneurs started off their businesses in Stanford with the active participation and assistance from the school, we may be teaching our young well by encouraging and getting their feet wet in business early — in school.   

Might as well put in to the minds of our schoolchildren that peddling wares is not difficult, or shameful, and in fact is a good way to learn the ropes of business. 

Will it distract their schooling?  maybe.  Will it hamper their learning?  Most likely not. 

As Mark Twain says, " I want to make sure my schooling does not interfere with my education."   Making our people business savvy is certainly teaching them a skill they will use their whole life.  What do you think?

Japan’s 40 Richest - Forbes.com

The world’s second-largest economy may be on the rebound, but you wouldn’t know it from looking at our third annual list of Japan’s 40 Richest. The group’s total net worth is $79.2 billion, down from $88.5 billion. A net worth of $610 million was needed to make the list, $70 million less than last year.