I have more of a question than a comment. Reading so many articles and your book about the possibilities of opening up business plans for people to improve, I was still curious about exposing the underbelly of one’s business. I get the benefit of large companies, smaller companies and individuals contribute and there isn’t much of a chance that they have the inclination to set up a rival firm. But small business seems a little more vunerable. Can someone else just take their idea and run with it on their own?

Alicia,

Small businesses, just like large ones, benefit from harnessing external innovation. In some ways, small businesses have always been more open than large ones. Smaller businesses can not afford to keep everything in house and therefore utilize the services of multiple business partners (anything from printing services to legal). They key is to pick your partners carefully and to keep the truly strategically important skills and expertise within the boundaries of your firm. Although, small firms may be more at risk of a larger competitor stealing their ideas – smaller firms are more flexible and agile and therefore able to innovate at a higher clock speed.