Net Ready: CISCO System's New Rules for Success in the E-conomy Book

Is your business ready for the Net? Amir Hartman and John Sifonis say it had better be, and they aren't just talking about a snazzy corporate Web site. Instead, the two managing directors at Cisco's Internet Business Solutions Group are referring to "seamless interactivity" organisation-wide, the recognition that manipulating customers is no longer easy--nor, for that matter, desirable--and other realities and requirements in the still-evolving commercial climate they've dubbed the "E-conomy". Their book's opening section offers real-world trends and scenarios as a "framework to which emerging network-based businesses can map themselves", along with a "Net Readiness Scorecard" to measure preparedness in the core areas of leadership, governance, competencies and technology. The second explores "using the Net to exploit new opportunities" by transforming products and markets, business processes, and entire industries. (They show, for example, how AOL reconceived itself from ISP to media company, how Ford connected with suppliers online and how Schwab countered competitors by redefining the cyberbrokerage.) The third examines how everything comes together at Cisco Systems, and summarises lessons learned--in 11 guiding principles. This is a serious book for those serious about doing business in the 21st century. --Howard RothmanRead More