Say I wanted to build a technology research company from scratch. I would hire all of the principal analysts and core management team (including IT) from US sources. All of the accounting, admin, international sales, research associates, call center sales, editorial support, translation services, report production, and IT services would be hired from offshore sources on the cheap. All I need is the talent at the top. How attract great people when the I can't afford to fund, out of operations or my initial seed money, health insurance and a retirement program for three years or more? I can't. [John Robb's Weblog]