What matters for future living standards, of course, is how much a nation invests in new technology, plants and equipment.

Japan last year invested about 24 percent of its gross national product in new plants, equipment, research and development.

It also invested in new equipment to increase productivity and reduce waste.

It is a must for anyone about to invest in potentially expensive equipment.

That leaves less for corporations to invest in new plant and equipment.

Be prepared to invest in new equipment or support if they need it to do their job effectively.

When businesses invest in new equipment, they must write off the cost over a period of years.

As a result, they often lack the money to invest in new equipment.

Also, customers do not need to invest in specific equipment or systems.

So they invested in new equipment, generating jobs that would not otherwise be there.