At the Core of It All

In the final analysis, the government can encourage Information Age enterprise formation with less strict equity sales requirements for start-ups and loan guarantees that could increase long term Debt-to-Equity ratios to well over 1:1. It is true that annual returns of 70% or more that will prevail in the Information Age enterprises, combined with the risk abatement and growth enhancement through membership in Enterprise Networks, will ultimately be the formula that draws us out of the profound economic malaise that the four horsemen of the Industrial Age Apocalypse will visit upon us. However, enlightened economic policy can hasten the end of our imminent 'time of troubles.'

The Polymathic Institute, which I intend to be a 'for profit but philanthropic anyway' organization, will be doing a great deal of good in the interim. It will do so most notably through the education one receives about the Transformation in The Future 101. Soon we will be adding a companion education on polymathy on our way to ultimately certifiying Polylmaths. However, organizational development will also encourage the development of network ties between visionaries, entrepreneurs, creatives, investors and technologists.

People may become involved in The Polymathic Institute either as a Member or as a Fellow. Both Members and Fellows will receive a subscription to The Future 101 for as long as their status remains current. However, as I say, this is knowledge that simply begs to be used. Consequently, the real value is in the organizations, enterprises, private venues and relationships that we will create and nurture.

As you may know, I have pointed out that turning $10,000 into $10,000,000 in 10 years or less is an Information Age norm for private equity investors. There is nothing magical about it, though it is technically complex. Rather, that is the value added you bring when you enable, through subscription in a primary offering, an entrepreneur with an Information Age idea. If you are or want to be an entrepreneur with an Information Age idea, you will be able to raise the necessary capital while being relieved of no more than 20% of your ownership.

I'm going to be really frank here. The United States, the paradigmatic Industrial Age nation, was founded by a bunch of well educated, relatively affluent men who were visionary but also probably had IQs comfortably above 140. Since then, our leaders have devolved to a median IQ of about 125. I therefore call our system a Mediocracy or 'rule by the kind of smart'. If we are to be successful in establishing an Information Age civilization with an Information Age economy, our leaders are going to need to be of significantly higher intelligence. They are probably going to need to be smarter than 'The Founding Fathers.' We aren't going to elect such people. Visionary geniuses generally confuse and frighten people. consequently, as I have said, we must 'save the world by saving ourselves.'

That is only going to be accomplished by creating the structures mentioned above. They will not create themselves and they will not be created for free. Yesterday, I described Equitopia Productions, an enterprise that will bring together creatives, investors and entrepreneurs to create made-for-Internet television. It, and Enterprise Networks like it, will turn $10,000 into $10,000,000 in 10 years or less for thousands of investors. It will provide Information Age incomes while enabling the visions of tens of thousands of creatives. It will provide superior monetization options for hundreds of thousands of website entrepreneurs.

So, as part of the Membership or Fellowship in The Polymathic Institute, every participant will automatically belong to The Private Equity group.
It is a place where entrepreneurs, creatives, technologists, visionaries and investors can gather to forge relationships and enable Information Age start-ups. While there are Membership and Fellowship fees, there is no underwriting or third party securities sales allowed. For active participants this is a substantial reduction in total costs, since private equity underwriters typically charge 10% plus expenses for best efforts underwritings.

You will not be inundated with poor quality business plans, either. You will not be recruited into an MLM or asked to finance one. Business plans may only be presented by Fellows and Fellows are 'vetted.'

Mycroft's Business Lounge
Because it will be fun, rewarding and enabling, one of the first projects, and we have some really great ones to tell you about, will be Mycroft's Business Lounges... sort of Starbucks on steroids. It will also be a venue in most major metropolitan areas where members of the Private Equity Group can meet in person. It will be The Polymathic Institute's 'home away from home.'

Starbucks has become the office away from the office by default. Mycroft's will be specifically designed for it.

This will be a franchise operation. It will be in a relatively large, preferably stand alone, building. It will be your office away from your office. There will be many benefits over doing business in a Starbucks. First, there will be docking stations for your lap top. If you did not bring your lap top, there will be rentals. Need earbuds? Or a flash drive? Mycroft's will sell them.

Bandwidth will be much greater and allow for effective video conferencing. There will be meeting rooms and private rooms if you want a more quiet or private accommodation. You will be able to rent a projector, white board, flip chart, laser pointer, etc. There will be wireless connections to printers that can double as copiers. There will be a resident IT consultant that you can retain if you are having technical difficulties or just want to know how to do something.

Tables, chairs and rooms will be more club like and less cafe like. Servers, in something somewhat more gracious than a green apron, will attend to you where ever you have chosen to locate.

A concierge is on duty to arrange your details, whether it be a dinner or hotel reservation, taxi to the airport or flowers to your spouse. If you are visiting, the concierge can arrange a tour of attractions. If you need to bring an armful and you would like to leave it for an hour or two, lockers are available.

Coffee is not cheap but refills are free or, in the case of coffee drinks, at a reduced cost. Not only will pastries and sandwiches be available, but also fruits, cheeses and in most locations beer and wine. When possible, after 5:00 somewhat stronger libations will be available. Again, the intent is that for the Information Age Knowledge Class business person, Mycroft's is a home away from home - an office where you need one.

Often in the evenings rooms will conduct seminars and presentations from local and visiting business, technology and future studies experts. Some will be arranged by Mycroft's but others will be businesses renting rooms to conduct their business. A business author simply must include Mycroft's in the book tour and book signings will be a regular event. Of course the Wall Street Journal and various business periodicals will be available at no charge.

There will be a short and inexpensive route to Mycroft's ownership for those who are interested. You will begin by developing the Polymathic Institute Private Equity Group in your target location. You will develop members on the Internet and then trade with others to get your locals. You can and should promote locally as well.

When your list becomes large enough, you will leverage your ability to talk to a large number of local business people into debt and equity funding of your establishment. Franchise fees will be far less than the prevailing market. My interest is in creating a global network, which I do incidentally through your business. Franchise fees will compensate fairly for the use of the business model, but will not be intended to 'maximize profits.'

We will begin with the assumption of one Mycroft's lounge for every half million population in North America, Australia and Western Europe. Eastern Europe and South America will require somewhat larger markets. In total, we will identify 2,000 local clubs that have the potential to become Mycroft's. To take this opportunity you will need to be a Fellow.

Starbucks average a little over $1.o million in revenue per store. Because Mycroft's will be physically larger, will provide a broader spectrum of services and will be somewhat more upscale, they will probably average annual revenue of $2.0 million. Owners should earn at least $400K USD from store operations.

However, that is the start, not the end, of the potential of Mycroft's ownership. It will be a networking heaven for all visitors and Members. The local franchisee will be in a particularly auspicious position to take full advantage of networking opportunities. Consequently, it is assumed that the local Mycroft's franchisee will become a leader of the business community and will enjoy augmented income.

As I have said, I intend to provide every Member and Fellow with a legitimate chance to enter the Information Age Knowledge Class prior to the 'train wreck.' That means a career compatible with A Finely Crafted Life. That means an income that enables A Finely Crafted Life. If this or any of the opportunities that will accrue to Members and Fellows of The Polymathic Institute are of interest to you, send me your e-mail address and I will put you in my private mailing list. From there you will be invited to various private venues to learn more about Membership.