This book comes at a time when virtual organizations (VO), are proliferating exponentially due to the twin catalysts of globalization and technological enablement. It provides conceptual frameworks and simple tools for identifying and addressing the complexities of managing geographically dispersed, virtually linked organizations, which may have grown organically or inorganically into a potpourri of multiple cultures, capabilities and practices. These can help to scientifically assess the impact of virtualization, balance the physical with the virtual and manage risks using early indicators. The book provides mechanisms to recognize, localize, measure and address vulnerabilities. Ensuring knowledge transfer effectiveness (KTE) is vital in VOs. A diagnostic tool has been evolved to measure KTE, isolate problems and weak links and plan effective interventions. A set of critical factors to increase the probability of success of globalization strategies have been identified. This book interleaves theory with practice and provides insights drawn from conversations with business leaders, exploratory surveys, and in-depth research using a large sample. The solid methodological underpinnings serve as a useful template for researchers, while the models can be contextualized to suit any organization. Foreword by Mr. Ajit Balakrishnan, Chairman and CEO, Rediff.com; Chairman, Board of Governors, Indian Institute of Management Calcutta.

USA Today Bestseller In his sixth business book, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and investor Gary Vaynerchuk explores the twelve essential emotional skills that are integral to his life-and business-success and provides today's (and tomorrow's) leaders with critical tools to acquire and develop these traits. For decades, leaders have relied on "hard" skills to make smart decisions, while dismissing the importance of emotional intelligence. Soft skills like self-awareness and curiosity aren't quantifiable; they can't be measured on a spreadsheet and aren't taught in B-schools or emphasized in institutions. We've been taught that emotional intelligence is a "nice to have" in business, not a requirement. But soft skills can actually accelerate business success, Gary Vaynerchuk argues. For analytical minds, it's challenging to understand how to get "better" at being self-aware, curious, or empathetic-or even why it's important to try. In this wise and practical book, Gary explores the 12 human ingredients that have led to his success and happiness and provides exercises to help you develop these traits yourself. He also shares what the "half" is-that emotional ingredient of leadership he's weakest at and makes the most effort to improve. Working through the ideas and exercises in the book, he teaches you how to discover your own "halves" and offers insight on how to strengthen them. Gary's secret to success is using these twelve traits in varying mixtures, depending on the situation. But how do we know when to balance patience with ambition? Humility with conviction? Gary provides real-life examples involving common business scenarios to show you how to use them together for optimum results. This iconoclastic book will help you refine your ingredients and improve your leadership capabilities. When implemented in the proper situation, these ingredients can help leaders land promotions, retain core employees, move faster than competitors, win the loyalty of customers, and build successful organizations that last.

Since 1990, direct sales have attracted over two million recruits in Mexico and are characterized by a belief in the power of positive thinking. Through an ethnographic portrait, Cahn demonstrates that the quasi-religious commission of self-empowerment--more than any economic commission--accounts for the explosive growth of commission-based sales in the developing world.

When a pseudonymous programmer introduced "a new electronic cash system that's fully peer-to-peer, with no trusted third party" to a small online mailing list in 2008, very few paid attention. Ten years later, and against all odds, this upstart autonomous decentralized software offers an unstoppable and globally-accessible hard money alternative to modern central banks.

The Bitcoin Standard analyzes the historical context to the rise of Bitcoin, the economic properties that have allowed it to grow quickly, and its likely economic, political, and social implications. While Bitcoin is a new invention of the digital age, the problem it purports to solve is as old as human society itself: transferring value across time and space. Ammous takes the reader on an engaging journey through the history of technologies performing the functions of money, from primitive systems of trading limestones and seashells, to metals, coins, the gold standard, and modern government debt. Exploring what gave these technologies their monetary role, and how most lost it, provides the reader with a good idea of what makes for sound money, and sets the stage for an economic discussion of its consequences for individual and societal future-orientation, capital accumulation, trade, peace, culture, and art.

Compellingly, Ammous shows that it is no coincidence that the loftiest achievements of humanity have come in societies enjoying the benefits of sound monetary regimes, nor is it coincidental that monetary collapse has usually accompanied civilizational collapse. With this background in place, the book moves on to explain the operation of Bitcoin in a functional and intuitive way.

Bitcoin is a decentralized, distributed piece of software that converts electricity and processing power into indisputably accurate records, thus allowing its users to utilize the Internet to perform the traditional functions of money without having to rely on, or trust, any authorities or infrastructure in the physical world. Bitcoin is thus best understood as the first successfully implemented form of digital cash and digital hard money. With an automated and perfectly predictable monetary policy, and the ability to perform final settlement of large sums across the world in a matter of minutes, Bitcoin's real competitive edge might just be as a store of value and network for final settlement of large payments--a digital form of gold with a built-in settlement infrastructure. Ammous' firm grasp of the technological possibilities as well as the historical realities of monetary evolution provides for a fascinating exploration of the ramifications of voluntary free market money. As it challenges the most sacred of government monopolies, Bitcoin shifts the pendulum of sovereignty away from governments in favor of individuals, offering us the tantalizing possibility of a world where money is fully extricated from politics and unrestrained by borders.

The final chapter of the book explores some of the most common questions surrounding Bitcoin:

• Is Bitcoin mining a waste of energy?
• Is Bitcoin for criminals?
• Who controls Bitcoin, and can they change it if they please?
• How can Bitcoin be killed?
• And what to make of all the thousands of Bitcoin knock-offs, and the many supposed applications of Bitcoin's 'blockchain technology'?

With the modernization of services offered through the internet, many traditional face-to-face services have adopted new e-service phenomena. Especially prevalent among the younger generations, this change in service has promoted many industries to rethink how to best reach their consumers using modern technology. Structural Equation Modeling Approaches to E-Service Adoption is a pivotal reference source that aims to share the latest empirical research findings within technology acceptance, information systems, information technology, human-computer interaction, and management information systems. While highlighting topics such as e-commerce, internet banking, and technology acceptance, this publication explores the understanding of today's e-services in a dynamic and complex environment, as well as the methods within the field of information systems and information technologies. This book is ideally designed for academics, students, managers, and scholars interested in the up-and-coming research surrounding the field of information technology.

This book contains the best papers of the First International Conference on e-Business and Telecommunication Networks held in 2004. The book presents recent research on e-business and telecommunication networks. It includes analyses aspects of global communication information systems and services, and describes security and reliability problems and solutions in information systems and networks.

With the onset of a knowledge economy, modern nations are hard at work using ever more sophisticated information systems to power a "technology revolution" that is transforming our lives. This book is based on the work of the TechCast Project, conducted over the past decade at the George Washington University. Pooling the knowledge of 100 high-tech CEOs, scientists, engineers, academics, consultants, futurists, and other experts from around the world, the resulting book is the best forecast data ever assembled, covering the entire span of scientific and technological innovation.

The advent of the Internet and other new digital technologies means that companies—be they virtual or traditional bricks-and-mortar—must develop a successful strategy for presenting compelling brands in the virtual world. Drawing on their experience with Interbrand, the world's largest branding consultancy, and including chapters by branding experts from such companies as Pepsi-Cola, Procter & Gamble, and Hewlett Packard, the authors focus on the strategic role of e-branding. Practical, tested, and designed for companies in any industry, this book presents a lively look at creating and sustaining e-brands beyond the current dot-com fizzle.

In the age of corporate responsibility, green technology and sustainability continue to grip the consciousness of businesses. However, the development of appropriate business-driven green computing applications requires an awareness of the best practices of the green agenda. Green Computing Strategies for Competitive Advantage and Business Sustainability provides emerging research on maintaining an eco-friendly environment regarding cloud computing and promoting reusability. While highlighting competitive advantages, power consumption, and project evaluation, readers will learn about various techniques for reducing energy consumption in cloud performance and information technology systems. This book is a vital resource for academics, researchers, students, professionals, and managers interested in novel trends in green computing applications and technology.

Revenue Performance Management might be the last major bastion for corporate investment. In a world of changing buyer behavior and access to new levels of buyer understanding, companies who are serious about revenue growth now have the tools to respond appropriately. In this thoughtful, complete discussion, Steven Woods author of the acclaimed book Digital Body Language and Alex Shootman deliver a comprehensive analysis of how and when to engage buyers using revenue tools ranging from social media to field sales, how the revenue engine can be measured, and how to optimize for maximum revenue growth.

Tailored specifically to the digital world in the 2020s, this easy-to-read practical guide is packed with expert insights along with plenty of real world examples.

Weaving core digital marketing principles into a specifically South African context, you’ll learn:

• How to craft a digital sales strategy
• How to create a website
• The basics of search engine optimisation
• How to write emotive web copy that inspires action
• How to navigate the world of influencers and social media

E-Commerce Strategy: Text and Cases provides the fundamental literature required for graduate students and practitioners to understand electronic commerce. Each chapter provides clearly designed learning objectives and review questions to highlight the major topics and goals. This book covers many of the new innovations and technologies that have been established for e-commerce site development. Unlike similar books, topics such as e-channel adoption, factors affecting e-commerce adoption, and strategy design are reviewed in greater depth. Additionally, the book examines areas not normally covered like open source, online research, and peer-to-peer systems. E-Commerce Strategy: Text and Cases is divided into two parts. Part 1 examines the evolution of e-commerce, analyzes different sectors such as B2B and m-Commerce, and explores the challenges they face. Case studies of well known companies reinforce the concepts learned to demonstrate both successes and failures in the field. Part 2 deals with developing strategies in e-Commerce and looks at future trends including Web 2.0. Overall, the useful guidelines provided should prove valuable to students and researchers in the field.

This practical guide can help any business or organization make sense of the social media buzz and build a successful online community. Social media can be an incredibly powerful marketing tool that brings a company or organization huge rewards. But for beginners in this new world, the potential risks are also high. Consumers are particularly passionate in the online world; the most active social networkers are poised to be your brand's gushing fans-or your most scathing critics. Both multimillion-dollar profits and self-inflicted PR fiascos are possible via social media. This guidebook begins by defining "social media," "social networking," and other terms that may be ambiguous, then details what recent market research reveals about the scope and growth rate of the social media landscape. Real-world examples of both large and small organizations who have successfully implemented social media strategies are showcased, and the hype and failed promise of famous flash-in-the-pan social networks are examined. The author outlines a comprehensive strategy for success with social media, including practical information on watching metrics, establishing beachheads, determining your driver, building a checklist of driver "amplifications," and combating the "what now?" factor. Offers in-depth, how-to advice on the four major social media platforms of interest to most businesses and explores corporate blogging Shares both social media success stories and cautionary examples of real-world social media efforts gone awry Explores the future of social media marketing