VISA : The Power of an Idea [Hardcover]

Paul Chutkow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2001

The story of Visa is one of the great untold stories of American and international business.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Legal & Professional Publications, Inc. (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0159004799
• ISBN-13: 978-0159004791
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,716,020 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 Love everything about it and highly recommend it., May 16, 2001

By 

Ron Zanetti (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: VISA : The Power of an Idea (Hardcover)

If you're looking for the more positive side of the Visa story, or of the impact of American Banking systems, this is a great start. Not a lot about statistical results and analysis, this is more of a story about the people side of building one of the largest global enterprises on the planet, and how that came about during the past 3 decades. Paul Chutkow is not a finanical analyst or banker, so he brings a fresh perspective to the story, and it's a very compelling read. This is also a story about leadership and vision, with the leading characted being Dee Hok. Paul Chutkow has captured many insights into the strategies in building Visa, and how the obstacles were overcome. The pictures of course are wonderful, and the historical views of many different phases of consumerism make this an important read for the student of payment systems. With the new dot-com startups of the day scratching their way in the markets, such as PayPal, BillPoint, and so many others, this book helps us develop a keener appreciation for the visionary and dramtic efforts of the 'fore-fathers' of the payments industry. I really enjoyed learning about the battles Dee Hok worked through to create that little start-up, to eventually be called Visa. The business development and marketing decisions in working with the International Olympic Committee are important for any marketer, and I was introduced to some important people in the the history of credit card fraud. I do recommend this book whole-heartedly, and I will be referring my asociates working in the payments and banking industries read it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Makes Anyone Fall in Love with the Company, August 12, 2009

By 

Mariusz Skonieczny "Author" (Schaumburg, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: VISA : The Power of an Idea (Hardcover)

I always try to get a book about the history of a company that I am analyzing for the purpose of purchasing the stock. This book is fascinating. The author describes to readers how VISA was born. Before VISA became a separate company, it used to be owned by member banks. It is great to learn about all the struggles that VISA's founders went through to make VISA happen. Now VISA is one of the most recognizable brands in the world.

- Mariusz Skonieczny, author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? Learn how to invest your money, how to pick stocks, and how to make money in the stock market

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read about a slice of American history!, May 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: VISA : The Power of an Idea (Hardcover)

This book is a fascinating read about the history and evolution of "plastic." The book recounts how the visions and innovations of a few revolutionized the world of banking and provides an interesting profile of Visa's rise to global success. Particularly interesting was the story of Visa pioneer and innovator, Dee Hock. Additionally, the historical look at San Francisco in the late 1800s and early 1900s, both in photos and text, was a real treat, especially for this East Coast transplant to the Bay Area. The photos and graphics of Visa's early advertisements are fun to see, especially the Visa "chicks" -- an ad concept that would not fly today. This is a compelling, educational, and even inspirational story -- it's a great read and should be a welcome addition to any coffee table or library.