Technology guru Don Tapscott has sold his research firm New Paradigm to Texas-based consultancy BSG Alliance.
New Paradigm will remain in existence as a research institute within BSG Alliance, and Mr. Tapscott will be chairman of that unit.
Mr. Tapscott initially made a name for himself as an author and speaker, but converted that success into a lucrative advisory company with clients around the world.
At age 60, he's decided to give up managing his business and concentrate on the part he most enjoys.
"It's kind of tough when you're on the road 20 days a month to be a CEO," he said. "I love writing and working closely with senior executives and government leaders, and being influential."
He's particularly interested in helping governments use technology to boost the engagement of their citizens.
Mr. Tapscott wouldn't reveal yesterday how much he is being paid for his firm by BSG Alliance, which, like New Paradigm, is a private company.
He was initially approached by the U.S. firm about a collaborative venture, but those talks evolved into a "very compelling" takeover offer, he said.
BSG Alliance will bring financial clout, research capabilities, marketing skills, and an international network that will help New Paradigm grow, he said. "We'll instantly be more of a global force."
Clients have also been asking for help making changes within their companies, including custom software, and the new partner could help with this kind of expansion, he added.
Mr. Tapscott was an enthusiastic early proponent of the Internet, and many years ago he predicted it was going to revolutionize business.
In recent years he has been using the term Wikinomics - also the title of a successful book he has written - to describe the "mass collaboration" that businesses can tap into via the Internet.
New Paradigm currently has about 30 full-time employees and a number of outside contributors. All will stay with the organization under its new owners.
New Paradigm's corporate clients are generally large companies looking for information and advice about the direction that information technology is taking. Among the subscribers to its research services are Royal Bank of Canada, Canada Post Corp., FedEx Corp., Nokia Corp., Walt Disney Co. and Kimberly-Clark Corp.
