Lessons from the E-Front : 50 Top Business Leaders Reveal Their Hard-Won Wisdom About Building a Successful High-Tech Enterprise [Hardcover]

Matthew W. Ragas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 12, 2001

Every business analyst, academic, and critic has a theory for why a company succeeds or fails. But the most important lessons and the best battle stories come from the entrepreneurs themselves—the leaders on the frontline who fight day-in and day-out to make their companies flourish while others crumble to dust.


In Lessons from the E-Front, successful entrepreneur and business commentator Matthew W. Ragas interviews 50 of today's top business leaders from leading high-tech companies and uncovers their hard-won wisdom. With over 1,000 years of combined business experience, these warriors tell you how they survived the technological maelstrom, weathered defeats in the marketplace, and thrived on their victories. Forget the New Economy. Ignore the hype, spin, and bull. The invaluable lessons and priceless wisdom in this book reveal the gritty strategies necessary to build a sound enterprise.


Each engrossing chapter illuminates a specific issue every company and entrepreneur must consider. Through the needle-sharp questions, candid answers, and poignant commentary, you'll discover how to:

• Develop a killer new product or service
• Create a bulletproof brand image
• Master the art of targeted marketing
• Understand where the marketplace is headed
• And much, much more


If you want to learn what the Internet shakeout really means and how your business can benefit from it, this book is for you.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The only distinguishing feature of Internet-age business is that it involves the Internet, says the founding editor of investor-oriented RagingBull.com; otherwise, standard business practices still prevail. Engaging, direct and clear, Ragas makes valid points--the best products and services are fueled by passion; a new company must be dramatically better than an established competitor to succeed--and backs them up with quotes from entrepreneurs, ending each chapter by hammering his message home again.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Ragas, founding editor of RagingBull.com and a stock analyst for a weekly radio show, here interviews 50 entrepreneurs involved in the New Economy to compile their thoughts on starting and growing a successful business. The founders of Yahoo!, FatBrain, PlanetRx, Netscape, eBay, and InfoSpace explain where they went wrong and what they've done and do right. Each chapter focuses on a specific issue such as securing venture capital, going public, attracting and retaining great employees, and, especially, "building a successful digital business model." Though this work is clearly and concisely written, its interview format is sometimes distracting and confusing. A great number of books on e-commerce are available, and this one presents more than a single viewpoint. Academic, public, and special libraries should collect several so aspiring electronic entrepreneurs can study current ideas and different styles. Susan C. Awe, Univ. of New Mexico Parish Lib., Albuquerque
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Prima Lifestyles (June 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761529314
• ISBN-13: 978-0761529316
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,959,228 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comments on Lessons from the Author, June 30, 2001

By 

Matthew Ragas (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lessons from the E-Front : 50 Top Business Leaders Reveal Their Hard-Won Wisdom About Building a Successful High-Tech Enterprise (Hardcover)

The Internet is in my blood. Always has been, always will be. I love it. Couldn't live with out. I know that you probably feel the same way or soon will.

Throughout the past five years, I've witnessed first hand the tremendous highs and accompanying lows that the Net has brought -and it's been a hyper-speed e-biz education unlike no other!

While the collapse of NASDAQ last year destroyed many startups and crushed many dreams, I can't imagine the future being any brighter. The future is now. The opportunities to change the world are still out there.

Remember. The fear of failure cripples the very legs of success.

In Lessons to the eFront, I tracked down and personally interviewed 50 of the tech industry's most succesful entrerepreneurs. Now, for the first time ever, they share their own secrets, tips and advice for thriving in a digital world.

This is battle tested wisdom from the tech sector that you aren't going to be able to find anywhere else. I also share my own insights and thoughts on important company building topics throughout the book. All with clear actionable steps - not ivory tower thinking.

To learn even more about Lessons From the E-Front, don't forget to check out the book's [website]...

... I'm always looking to kick around new ideas and ...