Have you ever been to a fast-moving square dance? Partners dance together, spin around a time or two, and then move onto new partners. As the dance progresses, some people return to their original partners, while others will dance once and leave the floor. If you pay attention, this resembles a fast-emerging business strategy that every technology innovator needs to know if they want to compete in the 21^st century: The co-economy. So are you square dancing or foxtrotting in this economy?

Like one big square dance, the co-economy relies on companies dynamically picking the right combination of vertical, horizontal and regional specialist partners.

You have to come up with the ones who have the right experience, relationships, technology and skills to develop the right solution for the customer.

Too many businesses are still doing the old-fashioned foxtrot, holding onto just one or two existing,