How small businesses can thrive amid technology changes

Futurist Jack Uldrich warns of technology threats at a conference sponsored by Store Capital. Jack Uldrich flashed a photo showing a homeless man accepting donations through his cellphone. "The world is changing in strange ways," he quipped. It was a lighter moment against a backdrop of some anxiety and uncertainty as Uldrich, an author and futurist, warned a small-business audience in Scottsdale this past week about the accelerating technological changes that already have devastated taxi-cab companies, video-rental stores, some retailers and many other businesses, with more disruption ahead. It was one segment of a conference designed not just to warn businesses about looming threats but to help them identity things they might not be doing well -- tips ranged from honing your marketing message to encouraging a culture of innovation, from acknowledging failures will happen to hiring young adults as "reverse mentors."