E-commerce: business aspects Books

Book Synopsis‘Essential for any leader in any industry’ – Kim Scott, bestselling author of Radical CandorWorking Backwards gives an insider’s account of Amazon’s approach to culture, leadership and best practices from two long-time, top-level Amazon executives.Colin Bryar and Bill Carr joined Amazon in the late 90s. Their time at the company covered a period of unmatched innovation that brought products and services – including Kindle, Amazon Prime, Amazon Echo and Alexa, and Amazon Web Services – to life. Through the story of these innovations they reveal the principles and practices that drive Amazon’s success.Through their wealth of experience they offer unprecedented access to the ‘Amazon way’ as it was refined, articulated and proven to be repeatable, scalable and adaptable. Working Backwards shows how success is not achieved by the genius of any single leader, but rather through commitment to and execution of a set of well-defined, rigorously executed principles and practices that you can apply at your own company, no matter the size.‘Working Backwards should be read by anyone interested in the real thing – the principles, processes and practices of twenty-first-century management and leadership’ – Forbes‘Gives us the story as it developed at the time – and that is probably worth the cover price of the book in itself’ – Financial TimesTrade ReviewColin Bryar and Bill Carr dive deep into how Amazon has become the company to study if you want to succeed in 21st-century business. -- Tim O'Reilly, owner of O'Reilly MediaFor those looking to change the world in ways (very) large and small via innovation and business, my strong recommendation is to dive deeply into Working Backwards . . . I anticipate Working Backwards to quickly become required reading in board rooms and classrooms around the world -- Jason Kilar, CEO of WarnerMediaColin Bryar and Bill Carr have operationalized the core management practices that lie behind Amazon's success . . . You'll want to have your highlighter ready and keep this book close at hand for quick reference. -- Kim Scott, bestselling author of Radical CandorLeaders who want to foster customer obsession and drive operational excellence within their organizations should read this book. -- Jim Whitehurst, President, IBMA must-read for every entrepreneur or business leader focused on driving growth. -- Mariana Garavaglia, Chief People & Business Operations Officer, PelotonColin and Bill have captured the essence of what it means at Amazon to start with the customer and work backwards. -- Serguei Netessine, Vice Dean and Dhirubhai Ambani Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at The Wharton SchoolWorking Backwards should be read by anyone interested in the real thing – the principles, processes and practices of 21st-century management and leadership * Forbes *Rather like a potted business school case-study, this book gives us the story as it developed at the time – and that is probably worth the cover price of the book in itself -- Financial TimesThis book reads like a how-to guide, which perhaps is by design? -- Associated PressRather than offering a dull catalog of the company’s 14 Leadership Principles and three implementation mechanisms, Mr Bryar and Mr Carr provide concrete and accessible examples of how these are put into practice across a range of functions, from hiring and communications to organizational and product design. -- New York Times

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Book Synopsis"Minervini has run circles around most PhDs tryingto design systems to beat the market." -- JACK SCHWAGER, bestselling author of Stock Market Wizards"Mark's book has to be on every investor's bookshelf. It is about the most comprehensive work I have ever read on investing in growth stocks." -- DAVID RYAN, three-time U.S. Investing Champion"[Minervini is] one of the most highly respected independent traders of our generation. His experience and past history of savvy market calls is legendary." -- CHARLES KIRK, The Kirk Report"One of Wall Street's most remarkable success stories." -- BEN POWER, Your Trading EdgeTHE INVESTOR'S GUIDE TO SUPERPERFORMANCE!Dramatically increase your stock market returns with the legendary SEPA system!For the first time ever, U.S. Investing Champion MarkMinervini reveals the proven, time-tested trading system he used to achieve triple-digit returns for five consecutive years, Table of ContentsTrade Like A Stock Market WizardHow to Achieve Superperformance in Stocks in Any MarketTABLE OF CONTENTS1.Introduction 2.What you need to know first 3.The SEPA strategy 4.Value comes at a price 5.Trading with the trend 6.Categories, industry groups and catalysts 7.Fundamentals to focus on 8.Assessing earnings quality 9.Follow the leaders 10.A picture is worth a million dollars 11.Don’t just buy what you know 12.Risk Management part 1 13.Risk management part 2

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Book SynopsisMaster the art of what to say in your funnels to convert your online visitors into lifelong customers in this updated edition from the $100M entrepreneur and co-founder of the software company ClickFunnels.Your business is a calling. You’ve been called to serve a group of people with the products, services, and offers that you’ve created. The impact that the right message can have on someone at the right time in their life is immeasurable. Your message could help to save marriages, repair families, change someone’s health, grow a company, or more. . . .But only if you know how to get it into the hands of the people whose lives you have been called to change.By positioning yourself as an expert and telling your story in a way that gets people to move, you will be able to guide people through your value ladder, offer solutions to their problems, and give them the results they are looking for. This is how you change the lives of your customers, and this is how you grow your company.In this updated edition of Expert Secrets, Russell Brunson, CEO and co-founder of the multimillion-dollar software company ClickFunnels, gives you the step-by-step strategies you need to turn your expertise into a carefully crafted sales message that will attract your dream customers.Don’t hide inside your business. Implement these story selling techniques now so you can find your voice and gain the confidence to become a leader, build a movement of people whose lives you can change, and make this calling a career.

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Book SynopsisMaster the science of funnel building to grow your company online with sales funnels in this updated edition from the $100M entrepreneur and co-founder of the software company ClickFunnels.DotCom Secrets is not just another "how-to" book on internet marketing.This book is not about getting more traffic to your website--yet the secrets you'll learn will help you to get exponentially more traffic than ever before.This book is not about increasing your conversions--yet these secrets will increase your conversions more than any headline tweak or split test you could ever hope to make.Low traffic or low conversion rates are symptoms of a much greater problem that's a little harder to see (that's the bad news), but a lot easier to fix (that's the good news).What most businesses really have is a "funnel" problem. Your funnel is the online process that you take your potential customers through to turn them into actual customers. Everyone has a funnel (even if they don't realize it), and yours is either bringing more customers to you, or repelling them.In this updated edition, Russell Brunson, CEO and co-founder of the multimillion-dollar software company ClickFunnels, reveals his greatest secrets to generating leads and selling products and services after running tens of thousands of his own split tests.Stop repelling potential customers. Implement these processes, funnels, frameworks, and scripts now so you can fix your funnel, turn it into the most profitable member of your team, and grow your company online.

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Book SynopsisMaster the evergreen traffic strategies to fill your website and funnels with your dream customers in this timeless book from the $100M entrepreneur and co-founder of the software company ClickFunnels.The biggest problem that most entrepreneurs have isn't creating an amazing product or service; it's getting their future customers to discover that they even exist. Every year, tens of thousands of businesses start and fail because the entrepreneurs don't understand this one essential skill: the art and science of getting tra­ffic (or people) to find you.And that is a tragedy.Traffic Secrets was written to help you get your message out to the world about your products and services. I strongly believe that entrepreneurs are the only people on earth who can actually change the world. It won't happen in government, and I don't think it will happen in schools.It'll happen because of entrepreneurs like you, who are crazy enough to build products and services that will actually change the world. It'll happen because we are crazy enough to risk everything to try and make that dream become a reality.To all the entrepreneurs who fail in their first year of business, what a tragedy it is when the one thing they risked everything for never fully gets to see the light of day.Waiting for people to come to you is not a strategy.Understanding exactly WHO your dream customer is, discovering where they're congregating, and throwing out the hooks that will grab their attention to pull them into your funnels (where you can tell them a story and make them an offer) is the strategy. That's the big secret.Traffic is just people. This book will help you find YOUR people, so you can focus on changing their world with the products and services that you sell.

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Book SynopsisJon-Stephen Stansel is Founder of Saturn 9 Media, a Social Media Management and Strategy Consultancy. Based in Bentonville, Arkansas, he has over 10 years' experience running social accounts for Texas State University, the Texas Department of Transportation as well as Amazon Prime animated series such as The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power and Avatar: The Way of Water. He has presented at conferences such as HighEdWeb, CASE and CUPRAP. He has delivered webinars for Hootsuite, Semrush and Slate Teams and has appeared on podcasts such as Agents of Change, Talking Tactics and PR360.

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Book SynopsisBrad Stone is senior executive editor of global technology at Bloomberg News and the author of the New York Times bestseller The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon, which won the Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award in 2013. He has covered Silicon Valley for more than fifteen years and lives in San Francisco.Trade ReviewA masterclass in deeply researched investigative financial journalism ... riveting -- Tim Waterstone * The Times *Stone has done a remarkable job in a way that Bezos would appreciate – by working very hard. -- John Gapper * Financial Times *Engrossing... Stone's long tenure covering both Bezos and Amazon... gives his retelling a sureness that keeps the story moving swiftly * New York Times *The definitive biography of the company that changed the way we shop and read... A masterclass in investigative journalism * Mail on Sunday *Scrupulously researched... If only all business books were as readable as this one -- Ian King * The Times Books of the Year *I highly recommend this book. Amazon is one of the most important companies in the 21st-century economy, and anyone whose business has been or will be touched by Amazon should be sure to read it. -- Tim O'ReillyJeff Bezos is one of the most visionary, focused, and tenacious innovators of our era, and like Steve Jobs he transforms and invents industries. Brad Stone captures his passion and brilliance in this well-reported and compelling narrative. -- Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs: the Exclusive BiographyThe meticulously reported book has plenty of gems for anyone who cares about Amazon, Jeff Bezos, entrepreneurship, leadership just the lunacy it took to build a company in less than two decades that now employs almost 90,000 people and sold $61 billion worth of, well, almost everything last year. * Washington Post *The Everything Store is a revelatory read for everyone - those selling and those sold to - who wants to understand the dynamics of the new digital economy. If you've ever one-clicked a purchase, you must read this book. -- Steven Levy, author of Hackers and In the PlexStone's tale of the birth, near-death, and impressive revival of an iconic American company is well worth your time. -- Matthew Yglesias * Slate *

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Book SynopsisAbout our authors Kenneth C. Laudon was a professor of information systems at New York University School of Business. He held a BA in economics from Stanford and a PhD from Columbia University. He authored 12 books dealing with electronic commerce, information systems, organizations, and society. Professor Laudon wrote more than 40 articles concerning social, organizational, and management impacts of information systems, privacy, ethics, and multimedia technology. At NYU's Stern School of Business, Ken Laudon taught courses on Managing the Digital Firm, Information Technology and Corporate Strategy, Professional Responsibility (Ethics), and Electronic Commerce and Digital Markets. Ken Laudon's hobby was sailing. Carol Guercio Traver is a graduate of Yale Law School and Vassar College. She has many years of experience representing major corporations, as well as small and medium-sized businesses, as an attorney with NYC law firmTable of ContentsPART I: INTRODUCTION TO E-COMMERCE The Revolution is Just Beginning E-commerce Business Models and Concepts PART II: TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR E-COMMERCE E-commerce Infrastructure: The Internet, the Web, and the Mobile Platform Building an E-commerce Presence: Websites, Mobile Sites, and Apps E-commerce Security and Payment Systems PART III: BUSINESS CONCEPTS AND SOCIAL ISSUES E-commerce Marketing and Advertising Concepts Social, Mobile, and Local Marketing Ethical, Social, and Political Issues in E-commerce PART VI: E-COMMERCE IN ACTION Online Retail and Services Online Content and Media Social Networks, Auctions, and Portals B2B E-commerce: Supply Chain Management and Collaborative Commerce Index

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Book SynopsisOver thirty trading strategies specifically designed for trading futures from experienced and successful professional trader Robert Carver.

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Book SynopsisAmazon is the fastest company ever to reach $100 billion in sales and they didn't reach that landmark by staying in their comfort zone. Risk taking is the key that unlocked the door to growth at Amazon, but those risks were (and are) intentional, calculated, and strategic. Thomas Edison believed, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." and Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos, has always linked experimentation and failure with growth and success.But "risk taking" can be costly (even disastrous) if you don't know how to use it to your advantage. Fortunately, Bezos has provided every business owner a "hidden in plain sight" roadmap for how he grew Amazon through his Letter to Shareholders (or as he named them, share owners) that he has written annually for the past 20 years.For the first time, Technology and Risk expert Steve Anderson has analyzed and distilled these letters to reveal the key 14 Growth Principles that unlock the lessons, mindset, and steps Bezos has used to make Amazon the massive success it is today.Now, business owners, leaders, CEOs, employees, and managers can apply these same principles to grow their business to be more efficient, productive, and successful - fast!

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Book SynopsisA penetrating look at how web3 will shape our shared future In The Future of Community: How to Leverage Web3 Technologies to Grow Your Business, a team of web3 visionaries and tech-savvy executives delivers a groundbreaking new take on the seismic impact web3 is havingand will continue to haveon our technological and social landscapes. The authors discuss why web3 really is the next big thing to shape our digital and offline futures and how it will transform the world. You'll discover a whole host of web3 applications poised to excite and disrupt industries around the world, from fan tokens that reshape how we think about interactions between artists and fans to self-sovereign identities on the blockchain that allow you to take full control over how your personal data is used and collected online. You'll also find: Insightful explorations of technologies and techniques like tokenization, decentralized marketplaces, decentralized autonomous organizations, and moreExplanations of how webTable of ContentsForeword ix Authors’ Note xv Introduction: What Is the Future of Community? 1 1 Back to the Future 5 2 Three Men and a Pool 35 3 The Power of Web3 45 4 More than a Cartoon Party: Supercharging the Creator Economy 69 5 Building Community the Right Way 83 6 Mic Check 1, 2: A New Way to Communicate 105 7 The Perfect Playbook: How to Make the Right Calls 133 8 The Rise of the Machines: How AI Will Affect Us All 157 9 Liars, Cheaters, Scammers, and Cash Grabbers 167 10 The Future of Work 179 11 The Future of Community 199 Acknowledgments 217 About the Authors 221 Index 225

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Book SynopsisFinally, a business book for makers, not managers.Are you ready to “make a dent in the universe”? As a creative, you no longer have to take a backseat. In fact, stepping up and embracing entrepreneurship is the fastest route to impact. But where do you start? And what sets the businesses that succeed apart?To find out, we asked the bright minds behind companies like Google X, Warby Parker, Facebook, O’Reilly Media, and more to share their startup wisdom. Featuring hard-won wisdom from twenty leading entrepreneurs and designers, 99U’s Make Your Mark will arm you with practical insights for launching a purpose-driven business, refining your product, delighting your customers, inspiring your team—and ultimately—making something that matters.Make Your Mark features contributions from: William Allen, Rich Armstrong, Warren Berger, Sean Blanda, Neil Blumenthal, Craig Dalton, Jane ni Dhulchaointigh, Aaron Dignan,Trade Review“This is not a book. It’s a sledgehammer. Now, go make a dent in the universe.” —James Victore, Designer “At the end of our lives we will look back and ask ourselves, ‘was it worth it?’ The answer will be a resounding YES! if we commit now to make a mark in the world. This book is the perfect guide to help us on that journey.” —Simon Sinek, author of Start With Why and Leaders Eat Last “Make Your Mark has managed to distill the essential wisdom of some of the best creative entrepreneurial minds of our time into an easy-to-read, but hard-to-forget guide. A must-read for anyone who cares about building great things.” —Susan Gregg Koger, Co-Founder and CCO, ModCloth

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Book SynopsisYou''ve Got 10 seconds to Win or Lose a Customer. This is the Ultimate Guide to Rapid Conversion in Digital Marketing. The customer landscape has transformed, and marketers, advertisers, and business owners must adapt to a world where buying decisions are made in seconds, not months or days. The biggest obstacle? FRICTION. Those who can minimize friction and guide potential buyers swiftly through the buying process will triumph. (Hello, Amazon 1-click purchases.) However, reducing friction requires the seamless integration of marketing, product, e-commerce, and service into a cohesive, friction-free customer experiencea feat that siloed companies struggle to achieve. Enter The 10-Second Customer Journey. This is your ultimate playbook for capturing rapid conversions and growing your customer list. Todd Unger, Chief Experience Officer (CXO) of the American Medical Association, leverages his three decades of expertise in consumer marketing, advertising, digital products, and digital marketing to offer a step-by-step guide. He''ll teach you how to become your own Chief Friction-Reduction Officer, reignite customer growth, and enhance engagement. Why You Should Read This Book: Conquer the New Digital Experience Landscape: Adapt old marketing concepts to the needs of today's digital customers. UX is king. Identify and Target the Right Customers: Discover how to pinpoint your ideal audience and convert them into loyal customers quickly. Test and Optimize Your Approach: Master the art of testing various strategies to find the most effective way to reach and engage your customers. Written in an engaging style and packed with original insights, this is a must-read for current and aspiring marketers, customer experience leaders, and digital executives aiming to build robust customer experience strategies for their brands and organizations.

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Book SynopsisThe definitive story of the streaming platform Twitch told through the lives of its biggest creators, providing a portrait of how the booming livestream ecosystem is reshaping technology, entertainment, business, and culture.

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Book SynopsisTom Miner is a social media strategist and former Head of Global Social Media at Crocs Shoes. For the last decade he has lead social media efforts for global consumer brands, B2B technology companies, international universities, government agencies and global non-profits. At Crocs, Tom helped spark the brand's transformation to one of the hottest brands today. He now consults and develops strategies for a diverse range of clients around the world, from household name consumer brands like Martha Stewart and Funko, to international B2B technology enterprises such as EGYM. He is based in Denver, Colorado.

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Book SynopsisAn inside look at the revolutionary business power of the platform—from the experts who helped discover how it works.Trade Review"Thorough and often provocative." -- The Wall Street Journal"Platform Revolution... is not the first book on the subject. But its clarity and fact-based analysis have made it a business bestseller for 2016." -- The European Magazine"... a number of options for entering the platform age." -- Summer reading list – 10 books you mustn’t miss! - Business Digest

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Book SynopsisJump into the metaverse to connect with consumers and explore endless opportunities Like the Internet before it, the metaverse is a virtual space bringing people, companies, and products together in both digital and real environments to create new economic opportunities. The groundwork is already laid. People and organizations jumping in are gaining invaluable experience, meeting customers, developing revenue streams, and even shaping metaverse culture. In Navigating the Metaverse: A Guide to Limitless Business Possibilities in a Web 3.0 World, a team of Silicon Valley thought leaders delivers a groundbreaking discussion of how to find the right opportunities in this fast-moving universe. You'll explore everything from the metaverse basics, to strategy, to launching your first metaverse project. In the book, you'll find: Data and market analysis to erase any doubt that the metaverse is the next big thing. Foundational knowledge about the metaverse, metaverse economy, Web3 technology, and more. The essential connection between metaverse environments, businesses, community, and digital products that make the metaverse economy so powerful. A deep dive on non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and how to make the most of these assets. Frameworks to help find, nurture, measure, and capitalize on innovation in the metaverse. An essential breakdown of the next stage in online business, Navigating the Metaverse belongs in the libraries of entrepreneurs, executives, and innovators looking to lead in the new age of online business and commerce.Table of ContentsForeword by Yat Siu, Chairman of the Board, Animoca Brands ix Introduction xi Why Should Businesses Care About the Metaverse Economy? xiii Who Should Read This Book xvi How We Structured the Book xvii Part I Getting to Know the Metaverse and Metaverse Economy 1 Chapter 1 A Primer on the Metaverse 3 Terminology 4 What Is the Metaverse? 8 Putting the Metaverse in Historical Context 15 A Universe in the Palm of Your Hand 17 Interoperability Is Key to the Metaverse’s Future 18 Chapter 2 What Is the Metaverse Economy? 25 How Does Currency Work in the Metaverse? 29 Entering and Advancing in the Metaverse 31 Tokenomics 35 The Rise of Community Commerce 43 Power to the Player: Decentralized Governance 45 Four Key NFT Distribution Channels 46 NFT- Based Metaverse Revenue Model 49 Extra Guidance from the Authors 62 Part II Building a Strategy for the Metaverse Economy 65 Chapter 3 Building a Business Case for the Metaverse 67 Business Challenges 67 Is the Metaverse a Blip or a Trend? 72 The NFT Market Statistics 72 Key Value Propositions of the Metaverse Economy for Brands 75 Timing Is Everything 81 Crossing the Chasm of Metaverse Adoption 83 The Business Impact of Web 3.0 Technology 84 Extra Guidance from the Authors 88 Chapter 4 Meet the Metaverse Consumers 91 Demographics 91 The Three Flavors of User Engagement 96 Metaverse Mindsets 100 Importance of Avatars to the Metaverse and Digital Identity 110 Extra Guidance from the Authors 113 Chapter 5 New Business Opportunities in the Metaverse 115 Metaverse Business and Job Concepts 116 Metaverse Metrics 124 Extra Guidance from the Authors 129 Chapter 6 Key Segments of NFT Commercialization 131 Marketplaces 132 (Fan) Token Offerings 136 Fantasy Games and Collectibles 138 Metaverse dApps 140 Other Avenues to Explore 146 Extra Guidance from the Authors 151 Part III Metaverse Product Development, Action Framework, and Future Perspectives 153 Chapter 7 NFT Deep Dive 155 What Is an NFT? 156 Types of NFTs 157 How Do NFTs Fit in the Metaverse Economy? 158 Key Considerations for NFT Design and Purpose 165 Extra Guidance from the Authors 180 Chapter 8 Putting Together an Action Plan 183 Discover 185 Learn 186 Build a Case 188 Connect to the Community 190 Get IP into the Metaverse 192 Prepare for Tomorrow 194 Extra Guidance from the Authors 195 Chapter 9 Perspectives on Tomorrow’s Metaverse 197 Grow with the Community 197 Plug into the Technology Trifecta 199 Experience Is King 201 Make the Right Play in the Economy 204 Final Guidance from the Authors 220 Go Boldly 223 About Upland 225 References 227 Acknowledgments 233 About the Authors 237 Index 241

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Book SynopsisAsia has been a hub for e-commerce companies in the past decade and the growth trajectory narrates the story of bright future. Its growth has largely impacted the economic, social and technological advancements in every country and contributed to global trade. Nonetheless, the success and failure of e-commerce companies lies on various factors, some of which include product pricing, competition, strategies and business models. However, with surveys in India indicating how sale of counterfeit products remains a significant problem for online shoppers across many e-commerce sites, e-commerce companies claim they are taking tough steps to ensure that counterfeit products do not make their way to customers, by delisting fraud sellers, using tamper-proof packaging and monitoring warehouses.This book aims to unwrap the stories of e-commerce companies in Asia and how they have contributed to the society. It discusses the growth and failures of some e-commerce giants and looks at both theoretical and practical aspects of e-commerce by presenting the issues, challenges and successes of e-commerce businesses. It examines interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary aspects from micro and macro perspectives and links disciplines like strategy, management, entrepreneurship, competitiveness, finance, technology and operations.

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Book SynopsisFrom the creator of Product Launch Formula, an expanded edition of the #1 New York Times best-selling guide that’s helped countless entrepreneurs make millions—now in paperback."What Jeff Walker teaches in LAUNCH is vital for modern marketing success. You don't need more tactics or tools; you need smart strategy, and that's exactly what this book delivers." — Marie Forleo, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Everything Is Figureoutable The revised and updated edition of the #1 New York Times bestseller Launch will build your business—fast. Whether you've already got an online business or you're itching to start one, this is a recipe for getting more traction and a fast start. Think about it: What if you could launch like Apple or the big Hollywood studios? What if your prospects eagerly counted down the days until they could buy your product? And you could do it no matter how humble your business or budget? Since 1996, Jeff Walker has been creating hugely successful online launches. After bootstrapping his first Internet business from his basement, he quickly developed a process for launching new products and businesses with unprecedented success. And once he started teaching his formula to other entrepreneurs, the results were simply breathtaking. Tiny, home-based businesses started doing launches that brought in tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, and even millions of dollars. Whether you have an existing business or you're starting from scratch, this is how you start fast. This formula is how you engineer massive success. Now the question is this: Do you want to start slow, and fade away from there? Or are you ready for a launch that will change the future of your business and your life?

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Book SynopsisWhen managers and marketers outline their social media strategies, they often plan for the right hook - their next highly anticipated sale or campaign that's going to put the competition out for the count. Right hooks, after all, convert traffic to sales. This book offers a blueprint to social media marketing strategies that really works.

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Book SynopsisThe Strategic Alliances Fieldbook: The Art of Agile Alliances is for technology and professional services practitioners and executives seeking faster value from their partnerships as traditional alliances are changing rapidly in form and tempo.Digitising customer channels and internal operations has been a long-running initiative for most companies, and the global COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the urgency and budgets associated with the digital transformations that technology and professional services companies support. The Strategic Alliances Fieldbook compiles a century of the authors' experience of leading joint businesses to solve the problem of how to go fast and avoid common issues that delay alliances. The reader will get a detailed analysis of professional services companies and technology companies and how the dynamics of their collective culture and operating model are shaped when working in partnership. The book provides a Blueprint'Trade Review"We are in the middle of a major transformation of how companies go to market – and ecosystems are the main reason why. Driven by strategic business and technology alliances, this action-oriented book provides the tactical advice leaders need to succeed in the decade of the ecosystem."Jay McBain, Principal Analyst, Channels, Partnerships & Ecosystems, Forrester Research, Inc."The Strategic Alliance Handbook is a great resource for understanding strategic alliances. But The Strategic Alliances Fieldbook goes one level deeper and gives readers the ability to put the principles into practice. It is packed with useful blueprints and templates that can be adapted to suit particular needs. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to all practicing alliance managers."Tina Gravel, SVP Channels and Alliances, Appgate"If you are in the technology space, The Strategic Alliances Fieldbook is a MUST read. Technology companies are at an inflection point, and those invested in partnerships will far outpace those companies who lack this vision. Booth, Nevin and Whitehurst, just created the bible for Alliance professionals and the c-suite."Dave Mortell, Global Vice President Alliances & Channels, Cornerstone OnDemand"A practical guide to partnerships that really packs a punch! This is an uber modern approach to alliances, suitable for partnering in the most agile and digitally evolving ecosystems. A partnerships blueprint with a unique blend of future-thinking that's grounded in decades worth of industry and leadership legacy. This is my new go-to source for optimising and sustaining value creation at every stage of tech and innovation alliances." Erica Katsambis, Global Head of Strategic Alliances & Consumer Digital Partnerships, CKH Innovation"What a great resource for this fast-paced, tumultuous era of change! The Strategic Alliances Fieldbook provides a compendium of practical and timely fundamentals for Alliance professionals." Christine Neary, Global Microsoft Alliance Leader at Avanade"It's one thing to acknowledge the importance of eco-systems in an ever more technology-driven world – it’s quite another to know how to harness the potential of the eco-system in creating business outcomes. The Strategic Alliance Fieldbook is by far the most comprehensive and practical guide to creating and sustaining successful business relationships. It’s the ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide’ for the modern Alliances leader."Paul McCluskey, VP/GM, Global Partner Engagement at Ciena Blue Planet ''If you recognise and practice alliances as a professional career, I would strongly recommend Mike's invaluable experiences and insights on using his alliance approach methodology. The nature of working with global IT services can be daunting and complex and you can definitely broaden your experiences and future-proof your knowledge to another level with The Strategic Alliances Fieldbook. It contains proven experience to optimise mutual investments for success'' Sid Sehdev, Regional Sales Alliance Manager, Global Outsourcers & System Integrators (GOSI) EMEA Emerging Markets, BMC Software"The Strategic Alliance Fieldbook is set to establish itself as an essential toolbox for all aspiring alliance gurus who want to explore many different topics on alliance management. An easy-to-read, concise overview of the principles of building strategic alliances. It is written from a practical point of view using examples from several organizations."Rajeev Ranjan, Director- SI Alliances, Newgen"Filled with practical insights and examples from where the rubber meets the road in the field, The Strategic Alliance Fieldbook is a must-read for alliance leaders who want to set themselves apart from the herd. The emphasis on agile alliances is timely and spot-on!"Gavin Simpson, VP Global Strategic Alliances at iCIMS"Mike is a skilled and passionate ecosystem leader. His work contributes effectively to the advancement of business ecosystems as a competitive advantage for companies. The Strategic Alliance Fieldbook continues that tradition by providing practical help for ecosystem builders." David Hayat, Founder, Tydex Group and Former Global MD, Accenture Global Ecosystem"Strategic Alliances has been and will be a business tool / process which no company can live without. While at IBM, ABP’s assistance helped us define the processes which drove $10B per year. Even with IBM’s size, we needed the street knowledge our partners provided. Every C Level executive needs to read this playbook and learn how to win with alliances."Jay Ennesser, Founder, Prane Holdings LLC, Retired IBM VP Global Alliances"As The Strategic Alliance Handbook provided explanation and demonstration of strategic alliances, The Strategic Alliances Fieldbook partners and mentors with that knowledge to guide and enable quick transformation of plans and strategy to action giving you the edge to deliver your best alliance."Rick Tolan, Digital Transformation Expert, Tolan-Hoechst & Associates"What do you do if you're just starting out within the alliance field? How do you gain some real-world knowledge from someone who's been there and done it, lived & breathed it, and got both the t-shirt & scars to prove it? The Strategic Alliances Fieldbook is not some academic exercise, but a framework of processes, hacks & tried & tested examples, that will answer many of your questions, and guide you in building longevity and forge real bonds with your partners, whether you're a mere alliances Padawan, or a Jedi Master, this book should be an essential piece of kit in everyone's armoury."Andy Pugh, Leader in cybersecurity, cloud, privacy, compliance, AI & eCommerce. Honorary STEM Ambassador & BIEA Special Advisor"The high-calibre authors Gavin Booth, Mike Nevin, and James Whitehurst have created an invaluable asset for the experienced as well as the novice partner channel professional who are tasked with building out new or strengthening and expanding existing alliances relationships in this new era of partner ecosystems. Partner channels have changed so much since their early days 30 years ago and will remain dynamic in the future, transforming their position and value to align with the ever-adjusting market demands. The Strategic Alliances Fieldbook: The Art of Agile Alliances is a very well-written playbook with brilliantly curated content to provide best practices."Richard Ludwig, Head of Partner Programs and Operations, Imperva"The Strategic Alliances Fieldbook is a very practical and useful resource for Global Alliances leaders. I like the approach to combine three different perspectives. I am a big believer in the ‘blueprint’ proposed in the book. A MUST have guide for alliance sales leaders in the 21st Century!"Vineet Sharma, Head of Global Alliance Sales, Rocket Software."The world of Alliances is complex and today, nothing has been as complete a guide as The Strategic Alliance Fieldbook created here. This guide, for sure, will become the bedside table book of all professionals in this field."Julie Goubet, Global Head of Strategic Alliances, bChannels"With partner ecosystems becoming the force multiplier for most go-to market strategies, this fieldbook should be kept close at hand for any professional wanting a guide to ensure their success. Professionals in alliances, partnerships, channel sales, indirect sales, corporate development, and even direct sales, all need to know the winning formulas in this book to create the recipes for hyper growth expected by today’s stakeholders."Ward Christman, Co-Founder HRTechAlliances"The Strategic Alliances Fieldbook is the perfect companion. Helps you benchmark your alliance performance and make sure success is had by all parties."Ben Price, Channel and Alliances Manager, Leapwork."The Strategic Alliances Fieldbook helps alliance leaders who want to dramatically drive up client value and revenue by providing the blueprint for building value-added, agile alliances and achieving alliance-driven commercial success."Preeta Raman, Head of Alliances Go to Market, Office of the CMO, vArmour "A thought-provoking book, lasering in on the complexities facing alliances in the evolving post-pandemic, digital world. The progressive concept of the Agile Alliance is examined to decode the imperative need to drive speed-to-value. A must-read for any alliance professional in the high tech/services space."Ashleigh Gray, VP Strategic Partnerships, Vidyard"This book is a must read for every company who wants to be successful with their Partners and develop their Sales leveraging their Partner Ecosystems. The authors all clearly have a wealth of practical knowledge which they share without reserve. If you are an alliance executive, you should buy this book. You won’t regret it!"Jean-Pierre Degonbert, CEO and Founder Alliances4Business"If you are an alliance professional or just someone that wants to demystify the latest development in alliance practice, this has all the hallmarks of a seminal reference handbook. You will be thumbing through it for years to come to refresh your memory on the whys, what fors and what nots of strategic alliancing! Get the page markers out." Sami Istephan, VP Global Alliances, BAE Systems"Disruptions in today’s global business environment make strategic relationships critical for a company’s success. Mike, Gavin, and Jim’s handbook applies years of hands-on knowledge essential for alliance professionals to deliver high-quality results to their organization."William Welch, Global Alliances and Strategy Professional"We are facing drastic changes in the business relationships and buyers’ behaviours. In this highly interconnected world, trust and commitment are more than ever expected by the key stakeholders. Only by embedding those values can strategic alliances sustain your business and help you scale fast. How to build the perfect plan and execute accordingly? You will find the answers in The Strategic Alliances Fieldbook. The tools, advice and surgical content are powerful."Eric Mamodaly, Global Sales & Alliances Management Executive, ADP"Brilliant job from Mike, Jim and Gavin at providing a holistic and practical approach to strategic alliances. As with many areas of business, this domain is transforming fast, and they help readers to understand the context, scale and direction of this pivot to agility and growth driven progress in modern alliances. Also, a great read for anyone new to tech alliances, or keen to get a very thorough update."Nicolas Caudron, Global ISVs Alliances Director, WW Retail & Consumer Goods Lead, Microsoft "I have had the pleasure of knowing Mike Nevin for 15+ years. As the founder of Alliance Best Practice Ltd, Mike has long been on the forefront of cutting-edge Alliance Professionals. Combining with his professional colleagues, publishing the "Strategic Alliances Fieldbook" couldn't come at a better time. While organizations continue to prioritize digital transformation within their enterprise, current business environments require much more agile alliances. This book will be a terrific tool for you to use in transforming your own "Alliance Best Practices"."Steve Simmons, AVP, Strategic Partner Group, Cognizant"A refreshing approach to strategic alliances' engagement transformation. A must read for Technology vendors seeking to influence customers' digital transformation outcomes. Customers' ecosystems are already complex and are becoming even more specialized, this blueprint could save hours of "trials" and fortified resource allocation in partnering strategically."Angelica Martinez, Senior Director, Oracle Alliance and Channel, North-East Europe"Alliances are increasingly important, especially for the many start-up companies that need to shift gears and address enterprises – yet most alliance managers' working mode is 'trial and error'! You can do better, and this book is the key to it!"Stephan Neuner, Senior Partner Manager, Global and Strategic Alliances at Spryker"With uncertain times and ever-changing priorities, alliance professionals are always navigating through the morass of balancing their company’s priorities with that of their partner. The Strategic Alliance Fieldbook provides alliance professionals a master class-level guide of how and how not to engage when navigating alliance planning, driving execution, and delivering joint success. The real-world case studies provide a variety of examples demonstrating how to partner and more importantly, partner well."Liz Fuller, Vice President, Alliance Marketing & Strategic Programs at CitrixTable of Contents1. The evolving dynamics of alliances 2. Technology companies 3. Professional Services companies 4. Dynamics 5. VST A best practice model for alliance management 6. A Blueprint for Agile Alliances 7. Blueprint Stage 1 - Validate Market 8. Blueprint Stage 2 - Design Partnership 9. Blueprint Stage 3 - Enable Sales and Delivery 10. Blueprint Stage 4 - Originate and Pursuit 11. Blueprint Stage 5 - Contract and Deliver 12. Blueprint Stage 6 - Improve 13. The Future of Agile Alliances

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Book SynopsisIn a world of fierce global competition and rapid technological change, traditional strategies for gaining market share and achieving efficiencies no longer yield the returns they once did. How can companies drive consumer preference and secure sustainable growth in this digital, social, and mobile age? The answer is through functional integration. Some of the world''s most highly valued companiesincluding Amazon, Apple and Googlehave harnessed this new business model to build highly interactive ecosystems of interrelated products and digital services, gaining new levels of customer engagement. Functional integration offers forward-looking brands a unique competitive edge by using transformative digital technologies to deliver high-value customer experiences, generate repeat business, and unlock lucrative new business-to-business revenue streams. Connected By Design is the first book to show business leaders and marketers exactly how to use functional intTrade Review“Every now and again a book comes along that expands your mind, challenges conventional wisdom, and is truly disruptive—a precursor to progress. Connected by Design is such a book. Functional integration has enormous relevance as an organizing principle way beyond marketing. I urge you to read the book, be disruptive, and unleash the power of connectedness. It can only do you good.” —Keith Weed, chief marketing and communication officer, Unilever “Barry Wacksman and Chris Stutzman have discovered a new secret formula for growth that re-imagines how your company creates value: functional integration. Organizations must embrace the disruptive change of functional integration in order to grow in the new world order of consumer engagement.” —Joseph V. Tripodi, chief marketing and commercial officer, The Coca-Cola Company “To be a chief marketing officer today means also being a chief technology officer and chief experience officer. Connected by Design uncovers the business model at the heart of this change, offering valuable examples, tips, and principles for putting the model into action. It’s a must-read for anyone working in marketing at a major brand today.” —Marc Speichert, global chief marketing officer, L’Oreal Group “Barry Wacksman and Chris Stutzman have taken a topic close to the hearts of many—design—and shown how the world's leading companies have successfully integrated it into their business models. Connected by Design is that rare book that can help unify the disparate parts of a big company, from marketing to sales to product development.” —Beth Comstock, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, GE "I see companies struggling every day to stay relevant in their consumers’ busy lives. Connected by Design maps out how companies like Nike, Google, and Apple have excelled in engaging consumers in the digital age while driving sales growth. It is an essential read for any brand leader looking to succeed in today's mobile, social, omnichannel world.” —Jim Stengel, author, Grow, and former global marketing officer, The Procter & Gamble Company “Functional integration is the defining business model of our day, and Connected by Design captures the essence of this emerging model and how to apply it. Those who want to differentiate and find new ways to grow should find this book extremely helpful.” —Michael Roth, chairman and chief executive officer, Interpublic Group “R/GA has remained ahead of its competition by reinventing itself, and R/GA’s newest transformation is designed to help brands achieve functional integration. Connected by Design outlines how brands like Nike, Google, Amazon, Apple and McCormick have grown with functional integration and why you’ll want to consider it for your brand.” —Rick Boyko, former director, Virginia Commonwealth University Brandcenter; former chief creative officer, Ogilvy North America “If you have ever wondered about the secret to the enormous success of companies such as Apple, Google, Nike, and Amazon, Connected By Design is for you. This engaging and readable book explains the functional integration business model of these companies . A must-read for understanding how to survive and grow in the dynamic and complex age of networks and ecosystems.” —Jerry Wind, The Lauder Professor, The Wharton School “Brands that aren’t rethinking how to connect their products, services, and communications are leaving brand equity on the table. Functional integration is a great playbook for creating and capturing brand value in the digital age.” —John Gerzema, chairman and CEO, BAV consulting, and author, The Athena Doctrine “Connected By Design represents the business course you never took, but should have, and the design class you never had, but now wish you did. It prepares your mind and way of thinking for this high-speed world, where more and more value is delivered in the form of digital experiences. Barry Wacksman and Chris Stutzman take you deep into leading companies and share their guiding principles.” —Keith Yamashita, chairman, SY/Partners and SY/ProductsTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 Part One The Model 21 1 The Growth Challenge of the 21st Century 23Principle One: Utility is relevance. 2 The Digital Revolution 43Principle Two: Context is king. 3 The Ecosystem of Value 69Principle Three: Synergy captures customers. Part Two Mastering the Model 95 4 The Art of the Possible 97Principle Four: Reimagine value creation. 5 The Digital Service Launchpad 125Principle Five: Redesign value delivery. 6 The Drivers of Connected Growth 151Principle Six: Redirect toward value capture. 7 Cultivating an Ecosystem of Value 179Principle Seven: Lead like the world depends on it. Notes 203 Acknowledgments 223 About the Authors 229 Index 231

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Book SynopsisThe metaverse is here. Are you ready? In?The Metaverse Handbook: Innovating for the Internet''s Next Tectonic Shift, a duo of experienced tech and culture experts delivers a can''t-miss guide to participating in the most promising new technology since the advent of the web. Through dozens of metaverse creator case studies and concise, actionable insights, you''ll walk away from this book understanding how to explore and implement the latest metaverse tech emerging from blockchain, XR, and web3. In The Metaverse Handbook, you''ll discover: What the metaverse is, why you should care about it, and how to build your metaverse strategy The history of the metaverse and primers on critical technologies driving the metaverse, including non-fungible tokens, XR, the blockchain, and web3 How to unearth unique metaverse opportunities in digital communities, commerce, and immersive experiences As the metaverse has raTable of ContentsAbout the Authors vi Acknowledgments ix Foreword xvii Introduction xxi Chapter 1 A Vision for the Metaverse in 2032 1 Extended Reality Emerges 3 Your Own Personalized Metaverse 4 The Rise of Bots and Digital Humans 6 The Ubiquitous Metaverse 9 Chapter 2 What Is the Metaverse? 11 From Snow Crash to Meta 13 Defining the Metaverse 19 The Metaverse Represents the Next Digital Shifts 21 Changes to Digital Identity 23 Changes to Digital Value 28 Digital Respect and Signaling Identity 30 Access to Exclusive Internet Experiences 31 Crowdfunding 2.0 33 Changes to Internet Immersion 36 It Starts with Web3 Communities 39 What’s the Metaverse’s Interface? 40 Preparing for the Metaverse 41 Chapter 3 Why You Should Care About the Metaverse Now 45 The Well-Timed Interest Geek 47 Interest Geeks of the Metaverse 50 Interest Geeks Over Power Brokers 53 Chapter 4 History of the Metaverse 57 La Réalité Virtuelle 58 The Early Internet 60 Early Virtual Worlds 62 Blockchain and Digital Assets 65 The Modern Metaverse 68 Chapter 5 The Metaverse Building Blocks 75 The Main Metaverse Tools 78 The Secondary Metaverse Tools 82 Building Your First Metaverse Asset 85 Chapter 6 Enter the Metaverse 87 Sandbox Metaverses 92 Decentraland 93 The Sandbox 103 Cryptovoxels 105 Somnium Space 105 Honorable Mentions 106 Gaming Metaverses 108 Miscellaneous Metaverses 114 Digital Presence 114 Phygital Commerce 115 Readymade Metaverse Environments 116 Social VR Worlds 117 The Mass Migration to the Metaverse 118 Chapter 7 Metaverse Assets 121 What We Will Own in the Metaverse 125 Avatars 126 Accessories 129 Objects 132 Real Estate 134 Metaverse Asset Management 136 Chapter 8 Challenges of the Metaverse 139 Interoperable Economies 140 Interoperable Graphics and Hardware 145 The Negative Narratives of the Metaverse 147 Chapter 9 Your Metaverse Plan 151 Designing Your Metaverse Plan 152 For Brands and Corporations with IP 153 For Entertainers 156 For Metaverse Interest Geeks 157 Further Reading at MetaverseQT.com 158 Index 161

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Book SynopsisAn up-close account from the world's first metaverse-embedded reporter In Making a Metaverse That Matters: From Snow Crash & Second Life to A Virtual World Worth Fighting For, the celebrated author of The Making of Second Life and Game Design Secrets, Wagner James Au, delivers an engrossing exploration of how nascent metaverse platforms have already captured the imagination of millions. Featuring powerful stories and dozens of incisive interviews with insiders including Metaverse creator Neal Stephenson himself, the author uses his unique, grassroots-level perspective as the first reporter embedded in a metaverse platform. Readers will learn about: How to understand and define the Metaverse and cut through the many myths and misconceptions around it. A behind-the-scenes account of launching Second Life, the first metaverse platform to achieve mainstream awareness, and what its many controversies teach us. Where currenTable of ContentsPreface xiii Introduction: Five Stories about Five Core Metaverse Concepts xix Part I Conception 1 Chapter 1 Crash Course—A Simple History of a Complex Idea 3 Creating the Metaverse Immediately after Snow Crash 7 Reclaiming the Metaverse’s Definition Taken from Its Source 11 Chapter 2 Second Life and the Mystery of the First Metaverse Platform 23 Chapter 3 How Facebook Became Meta (But Lost the Metaverse on the Way) 77 Part II Realization 101 Chapter 4 Kid Stuff: Minecraft, and the Rise of Roblox 103 Chapter 5 Battle Royale for the Fortnite Metaverse 127 Chapter 6 Neal Stephenson Enters the Metaverse— Lamina1, Blockchain, and the Utopia of Ownership 141 Chapter 7 VRChat and Finding Furry Anime Utopia 161 Part III Promises and Perils 185 Chapter 8 VR, Interoperability, Web3, and Other Metaverse Myths 187 Chapter 9 Sex, Abuse, and the Eternal Content Moderation Challenge 205 Chapter 10 Metaverse Real-World Use Cases—Separating Substance from Hype 225 Chapter 11 Overcoming the Metaverse Age Cliff and the Immersion Funnel 249 Part IV A Metaverse Worth Fighting For 263 Chapter 12 Future Paths 265 Chapter 13 Future Pitfalls—Manipulation, Takedowns, and the Experience Machine 279 Chapter 14 Metaverse Lessons for the Next 30 Years 295 Glossary 319 Appendix A: Rules for Avatar Radicals and Reformers 323 Appendix B: Advice for Metaverse Reporters 329 Acknowledgments 331 About the Author 333 Index 335

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Book Synopsis*SHORTLISTED FOR THE FINANCIAL TIMES BUSINESS BOOK 2022**A TIMES BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEARS 2022**A NEW YORK TIMES BEST BUSINESS BOOK 2022**A FORBES ESPANA TOP TEN BOOK 2022**A PROJECT SYNDICATE 2022 BEST READ*'A fascinating study of the tech giant and its symbiotic relationship with the Chinese government' - Guardian'Vital . . . More than a corporate hagiography, Ms. Chen's book offers insight into the company via executive interviews and exclusive details.' New York Times'Influence Empire by Lulu Yilun Chen is so much more than the long-awaited story of Tencent and its vital everything app, WeChat, the messaging tool used by 1.3 billion people. It's also the sobering account of an entire generation of high-flying Chinese tech entrepreneurs, whose wings were clipped by the omnipotent hand of their own government.' -- Brad Stone, author of Amazon Unbound and The Everything StoreORDER NOW: the first definitive look at Tencent, one of the world's largest tech companies. __________In 2017, a company known as Tencent overtook Facebook to become the world's fifth largest company. It was a watershed moment, a wake-up call for those in the West accustomed to regarding the global tech industry through the prism of Silicon Valley: Facebook, Google, Apple and Microsoft.Yet to many of the two billion-plus people who live just across the Pacific Ocean, it came as no surprise at all.Founded by the enigmatic billionaire Pony Ma, the firm that began life as a simple text-message operator invested in and created some of China's most iconic games en route to dreaming up WeChat - the Swiss Army knife super-app that combines messaging, shopping and entertainment. Through billions of dollars of global investments in marquee names from Fortnite to Tesla and a horde of start-ups, Ma's company went on to build a near-unparalleled empire of influence.In this fascinating narrative - crammed with insider interviews and exclusive details - Lulu Chen tells the story of how Tencent created the golden era of Chinese technology, and delves into key battles involving Didi, Meituan and Alibaba. It's a chronicle of critical junctures and asks just what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur in China.__________'There's so much fascinating detail here.' -- The Times'Lulu Yilun Chen has written a sharply informed, smart and compelling account of the rise of some of the most powerful companies in China, which also stand among the biggest and richest tech giants in the world. Despite their enormous size and power, few outside of China know of or understand these companies. Now, thanks to Influence Empire: Inside the Story of Tencent and China's Tech Ambition, that will finally change.' -- Howard French, former NY Times Shanghai bureau chief and author of Everything Under the Heavens: How the Past Helps Shape China's Push for Global Power'A book that tells Tencent's story has been long overdue, and Lulu Chen's account is not only comprehensive, but also a gripping business narrative. The globally influential company finally has the account it deserves.' -- David Barboza, The WireTrade Review'Influence Empire by Lulu Yilun Chen is so much more than the long-awaited story of Tencent and its vital everything app, WeChat, the messaging tool used by 1.3 billion people. It's also the sobering account of an entire generation of high-flying Chinese tech entrepreneurs, whose wings were clipped by the omnipotent hand of their own government.' -- Brad Stone, author of Amazon Unbound and The Everything StoreLulu Yilun Chen has written a sharply informed, smart and compelling account of the rise of some of the most powerful companies in China, which also stand among the biggest and richest tech giants in the world. Foremost among them is the biggest behemoth of them all, Tencent, a Swiss Army Knife of a company that combines the services of a half dozen or more of the best-known internet giants in the West. The immense wealth and reach deep into every household in China of companies like these has recently placed them at the center of Beijing's regulatory and political attention. Despite their enormous size and power, few outside of China know of or understand these companies. Now, thanks to Influence Empire: The Story of Tencent and China's Tech Ambition, that will finally change. - - Howard French, former NY Times Shanghai bureau chief and author of Everything Under the Heavens: How the Past Helps Shape China's Push for Global PowerLulu Yilun Chen's Influence Empire is the compelling story of one of the world's most important, but least understood companies. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how the curious collision of business, technology and politics in today's China will reshape our world. - - Peter Martin, author of China's Civilian ArmyIn Influence Empire, the long-time tech reporter narrates the emergence of China's tech titans their often-haphazard rises to success, and the struggles between then for revenue and domination of the marketplace... The book asks whether without freedom of thought China's economic miracle can persist. -- The Post'Vital . . . More than a corporate hagiography, Ms. Chen's book offers insight into the company via executive interviews and exclusive details.' -- New York Times'The company, China's largest internet giant, now has a massive portfolio of internet firms across a wide range of sectors, including social media, e-commerce, ride-hailing, gaming, and tutoring. But the future of Chinese Big Tech is very much in question, making the many fascinating stories in Chen's book essential reading for China watchers.' -- Project Syndicate'A fascinating study of the tech giant and its symbiotic relationship with the Chinese government ... With Influence Empire, Chen, a reporter for Bloomberg, seeks to tell the story of arguably China's greatest entrepreneurial success, expose the threads that link Xi Jinping's regime to your Snapchat account, and familiarise us with the company's reclusive, 50-year-old founder Ma Huateng, who goes by the incongruous English moniker "Pony"... The book's most interesting material explores the waxing and waning of the relationship between Tencent and the Chinese communist party, which is eager to, as Chen puts it, "keep the rising class of tech-savvy moguls in place before their economic aspirations turn political."' -- GuardianA book that tells Tencent's story has been long overdue, and Lulu Chen's account is not only comprehensive, but also a gripping business narrative. The globally influential company finally has the account it deserves. -- David Barboza, The WireThere's so much fascinating detail here: the company may serve as a 'towering paean to futurism and commerce' but it still has the Communist Party woven into its fabric, extolling its past glories in the company gym. -- The Times'It's a fascinating story of entrepreneurship, of what it's like to build a company in a Communist state. Chen clearly charts the rise of one of the largest tech and social media companies in the world, which is shadowed by one of the most paranoid governments in the world. In one corner of the ring you have the values of the Communist Party, in the other you have the value proposition of Tencent. Chen goes beyond that, we get the stories behind the headline, the characters, the culture and the back stories.' -- Mimi Alemayehou, Senior Vice President for Public-Private Partnerships, Strategic Growth, Mastercard 'Coming to grips with the tech industry is not easy at the best of times given how quickly the sector evolves. It is even more difficult when it is in China and the relationship (between tech companies) and the government is extremely fluid, yet Influence Empire by Lulu Chen manages to provide important insights across all these dimensions. The book is an engaging look into the Chinese tech world, including the relationship with not just the government there, but also with western capital. It comes at a time, to quote the author 'alliances and allegiances change within the blink of an eye" and "national champions become public enemies overnight." This book will be of interest to a very broad range of people, and rightly so, from tech specialists, economists and corporate executives worrying about disruption of supply chains to those interested in innovation, as well as those assessing the increasing weaponization of tech for national security purposes.' -- Mohamed El-Erian, President, Queens' College, Cambridge University, Advisor to Allianz and Gramercy

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Book SynopsisIn the past year, crowdfunding platforms helped generate a staggering $34 billion dollars in funding. But the harsh reality is that the majority of crowdfunding campaigns fail-only 40% meet their goals. And failing means failing hard. If you fall short of your goal by the deadline, not only won't you see any of the money you've worked so hard to raise, but you might actually tarnish your shiny idea.Alex Daly is a hugely successful crowdfunding expert who has run some of Kickstarter's biggest campaigns, from TLC's new album to Neil Young's music player to Joan Didion's documentary "We Tell Ourselves Stories in Order to Live." In this book, she shows you how to: * Build a deep fan base prior to launch * Understand the psychology of why people give and create the right narrative around your project * Find the right platform on which to raise funds * Deal with unfulfilled promises and angry backers * Create intimacy and promote shareability of your project * Best use influence and exclusivity to get funded.Woven throughout is Alex's own entrepreneurial story-the unconventional career path she took to ultimately start her business, Vann Alexandra, thanks to crowdfunding. And she will take readers deep into her most successful campaigns, showing them how she helped them get funded. As someone who's spent lots of time in the trenches, she has learned the hard way how to communicate and connect with people on the Internet-and offers tangible tools to run your own crowdfunding campaigns. Above all, this is a book about how to fully connect with the crowd, get people to pay attention, and inspire them to act.

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Book Synopsis‘If you want to learn from one of the greatest marketing minds alive, read this book.’Joe Polish, founder, Genius NetworkMarketing isn’t everything, according to Brian Kurtz. It’s the only thing. If you have a vision or a mission in life, why not share it with millions instead of dozens? And while you are sharing it with as many people as possible and creating maximum impact, why not measure everything and make all of your marketing accountable. That’s what this book is all about.In the world of direct marketing, Brian Kurtz has seen it all and done it all over four decades. He lives by the philosophy ‘Those who did it have a responsibility to teach it.’ Here’s a small sample of what you’ll learn:· The Four Pillars of Being Extraordinary· The Five Principles of why ‘Original Source’ matters· The Seven Characteristics of world-class copywriters· Multiple ways to track the metrics that matter· That the most important capital you own has nothing to do with moneyWhether you’re new to marketing or a seasoned pro, this book gives you a crystal-clear roadmap to grow your business, make more money, maximize your impact in your market and love what you’re doing while you’re doing it. Kurtz takes you inside the craft to help you use all the tools at your disposal so you can succeed wildly, exceed all your expectations and overdeliver every time.

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Book SynopsisSmart Technologies are revolutionizing tourism, as they promise to change the way tourists behave and how companies interact with them and generate profits. The increasing availability of real-time data in combination with advanced machine learning techniques, artificial intelligence and business analytics, to name but a few, will transform the tourism industry forever and in unthinkable ways. The degree of sophistication achieved by Smart Technologies and the speed with which transformations are taking place means that those people lacking a relevant digital background may lag behind, therefore being unable to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the data economy and fully benefit from its applications. This practical book explains the key ideas that tourism practitioners and decision-makers must know to understand Smart Technologies, and the management principles supporting them. The contents: Include real-life cases to illustrate to the reader the true dimension of the "smart" phenomenon and the new frontiers that are yet to open in the coming years Bring together the knowledge and experience of leading experts from the academia, tourism sector and technology companies, who reveal, in a unified way, the fundamental points your organization must consider in the path towards being smarter Create a practical knowledge tool that allows getting the most out of Smart Technologies, its products and future trends, while learning how to make them a competitive tool, and avoid being left behind Features full colour figures and photographsThe book will be a vital resource for Tourism practitioners, strategic planners and policy makers as well as students of tourism marketing, management and technology

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Book SynopsisWhat happens when there is almost unlimited choice? When everything becomes available to everyone? And when the combined value of the millions of items that only sell in small quantities equals or even exceeds the value of a handful of best-sellers?In this ground-breaking book, Chris Anderson shows that the future of business does not lie in hits - the high-volume end of a traditional demand curve - but in what used to be regarded as misses - the endlessly long tail of that same curve. As our world is transformed by the Internet and the near infinite choice it offers consumers, so traditional business models are being overturned and new truths revealed about what consumers want and how they want to get it. Chris Anderson first explored the Long Tail in an article in Wired magazine that has become one of the most influential business essays of our time. Now, in this eagerly anticipated book, he takes a closer look at the new economics of the Internet age, showing where business is going and exploring the huge opportunities that exist: for new producers, new e-tailers, and new tastemakers. He demonstrates how long tail economics apply to industries ranging from the toy business to advertising to kitchen appliances. He sets down the rules for operating in a long tail economy. And he provides a glimpse of a future that's already here.Trade ReviewThe Long Tail has helped to reinterpret our world * The Times *A smart, timely and oddly inspiring book * Time Out *Snappily argued and thought-provoking * New Yorker *

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Book SynopsisThis book highlights the new urban–rural relationship that has emerged under the influence of e-commerce in China. In this regard, it presents case studies on the Suichang rural e-commerce model and Alibaba’s rural strategy, together with analyses of online service in China. Furthermore, by means of a brief review of the urban–rural relationship throughout China’s history, and of academic literature on the study of space, it explains the special logic of urbanization in China. As such, the book makes a valuable contribution to the body of literature on the space of flows and grassrooting, aspects that are essential to appreciating the complexity of the new urban–rural relationship in underdeveloped areas (including developing countries and underdeveloped areas in developed countries) in the ongoing information era.Table of ContentsChapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: From Globalization to China’s UrbanizationChapter 3: A Unique Path: The Evolution of China’s Urban-Rural Relationship through HistoryChapter 4: Bottom-up Approach with Global Powerhouse: Suichang Model Chapter 5: Global Strengthen with Local Practice: Alibaba’s Rural StrategyChapter 6: Spatial Regeneration of Regional RestructuringChapter 7: Reflections: Urban Rural Flows with Online UrbanizationProspect: From Online Urbanization to Empire OnlineChinese Index

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Book SynopsisThe next generation internet, the Internet of Things, cannot work without an Internet of Value. The Internet of Value or ValueWeb, for short allows machines to trade with machines and people with people, anywhere on this planet in real-time and for free. The problem is that our old system cannot work that way, as it takes days to process and costs a fortune. Using a combination of technologies from mobile devices, wearables and the bitcoin blockchain, fintech firms are building the ValueWeb regardless. What does that mean for financial institutions, governments and citizens? This book provides the answers. Chris Skinner one of the most authoritative voices on FinTech anywhere has provided us another timely and thoughtful look into the fascinating convergence of technology, e-commerce, and finance that is changing the world. - Seth Wheeler, Former Economics Advisor to the US President and The White House Skinner's ValueWeb is a sweeping and well-researched analysis of the big technology trends that will shake the windows and rattle the walls of the industry -Don Tapscott, Best Selling Author This book will be an invaluable read for all interested in the way business works.- Sir Roger Gifford, Former Lord Mayor of LondonBest insight into money in the 3rd industrial revolution, aka the digital revolution, you will read.-Lawrence Wintermeyer, CEO Innovate FinanceThis is another must-read, not only for those interested in the world of FinTech, but anyone wanting to get a glimpse of a future where monetary and non-monetary transfers occur instantaneously across mobile and digital networks.-Jim Marous, The Financial Brand/Digital Banking ReportChris has a great eye for the case studies and practical examples of innovation that help you to really reflect on where banking is going.-David Birch, Director Consult Hyperion

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Book SynopsisModern and practical business lessons from Natasha Oakley, co-founder of Monday Swimwear and The Pilates Class Do you have an idea for a business, but no clue where to start? Is there a product or service you''re sure you could sell, if only you knew how to file the paperwork or fund the company or build the marketing plan? Do you have an inkling that you''ll want to start a business one day - and you can''t stop wondering if you have what it takes? Then you have come to the right place.In this empowering guide, Natasha gives an honest account of the blood, sweat and tears that goes into creating a successful business, from registering your company and opening a bank account, all the way to building your team and scaling for growth. Removing the glamour of #hustleculture and the illusion of how easy it might look on social media, Natasha will detail how she bartered jobs and co-founded Monday Swimwear in her living room with her best friend and grew that business (and others) to a multi-million dollar empire. And she will explain how, no matter what your idea, if you are Excessively Obsessed with it, you can do the same. In her book, she will show readers how to: - Harness your idea to create a viable business that has longevity- Know when to leave your job, how to fund your start-up and whether you need a business partner - Generate and grow a huge following - Build contacts when no one knows who you are- Rise above pressures of social media to use it powerfully and with purpose- Create work/life balance to avoid burnout and take care of yourself Excessively Obsessed is for anyone who has ever wondered: should I start my own business? (Spoiler alert: There''s no right answer!) And whether you decide to get started tomorrow or give it more time, you''ll close this book with a reignited sense of passion and purpose in your career. Through her own story, Natasha will inspire readers to tap into their own unique potential, because when you find your calling, it''s worth becoming obsessed.

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Book SynopsisJai Singh Arun is a senior program director at IBM corporate strategy team and drives strategic product management and business development of IBM Research innovations within Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, and Cybersecurity areas. He has over two decades of global, cross-functional business and emerging technologies leadership experience, building multi-million dollar software, systems, and services businesses. Jerry Cuomo leads IBM's engineering and product initiatives on Blockchain. He holds the prestigious title of IBM Fellow and is recognized as one of the most prolific contributors to IBM's software business, producing products and technologies that have profoundly impacted how the industry conducts commerce over the World Wide Web. Nitin Gaur is an IBM distinguished engineer and worldwide director and he leads IBM's global blockchain labs and services. He is responsible for strategy and developing offeringsTrade Review“Much has been written about blockchain in the past few years: what it is and what it is not (at various levels of detail), as well as the technology’s long-term strategic value for companies, industries, and economies. However, what we’ve been missing is a practical, operational, ‘how to’ set of steps for creating, implementing, and operating a blockchain-based solution. This book aims to fill that gap. It’s an invaluable tool for anyone ready to take the plunge and start taking advantage of this remarkable technology. “Most technologies can be implemented one business at a time. Not so with blockchain. Blockchain is particularly valuable when applied to a collection of companies working closely together as a business ecosystem, such as a supply chain. Blockchain for Business goes into great detail about what it takes to organize and manage such an ecosystem, including the technical and business models that in the end drive the decisions about whether to join or not, and the governance necessary for a smooth, efficient operations. It also nicely explains the necessary technical expertise and management roles needed to successfully create and operate blockchain frameworks and applications. “Blockchain for Business is an invaluable tool for anyone ready to take the plunge and start taking advantage of this remarkable technology.” —Irving Wladawsky-Berger, Research Affiliate, MIT; Columnist, WSJ CIO Journal; VP Emeritus, IBM “Jai, Jerry, and Nitin have written the guidebook to address the critical knowledge gap that exists between the hype of blockchain and cryptocurrencies and the pragmatic utilization of blockchain technology for transforming businesses. Blockchain for Business leverages their firsthand insights and provides a practical approach for business and technical leaders to leverage a proven methodology to drive successful blockchain projects that deliver trust and transparency for all participants.” —Marie Wieck, General Manager, IBM Blockchain “Understand how to capture the power of the trust machine. This book contains a wealth of resources and tools for those looking to apply blockchain solutions in a business environment. A must-read for enterprise executives.” —Perianne Boring, Founder and President, Chamber of Digital Commerce “Jai, Jerry, and Nitin nailed it! Blockchain for Business addresses the critical question business leaders are attempting to answer: How does my business derive real, measurable value from blockchain? This is a practical guidebook for both the business and technology leader to help identify business value from blockchain technology in the form of new growth opportunities, sustainable competitive advantage, time savings, cost reductions, and risk mitigation—turning blockchain into business results!” —D. Keith Pigues, CEO and Founder, Luminas Strategy, Coauthor Winning with Customers: A Playbook for B2B “Blockchain for Business is a must-read for executives looking to define blockchain’s potential to transform business processes. Jerry, Jai, and Nitin have comprehensively described the key steps business leaders should take to identify the right scope, select the best technology, and establish an appropriate business model and governance structure.” —Arvind Krishna, SVP, Hybrid Cloud and Director of IBM ResearchTable of ContentsForeword xii Preface xvii Acknowledgments xxiii About the Authors xxvii Chapter 1: Introduction to Blockchain 1 Blockchain Beliefs 2 Enterprise Blockchain 3 Why Blockchain Matters 4 The Trailblazers 5 Blockchain for Good 9 Blockchain Questions from Business and Technology Leaders 12 Chapter Summary 16 References 17 Chapter 2: Opportunities and Challenges 19 Disruptive Elements 20 Opportunities 25 Challenges 40 Chapter Summary 47 References 47 Chapter 3: Understanding the Technology Landscape 49 Blockchain: A Technical Perspective 50 Blockchain for Enterprises 56 Essential Maturity Imperatives for Enterprise Blockchain 66 Token Revolution 68 Understanding Digital Asset (Token) Fungibility: Opportunities and Considerations for Meaningful and Sustainable Blockchain-Powered Chapter Summary 85 References 86 Chapter 4: Business of Business Models 87 Path to Blockchain Enterprise Adoption: A Prescriptive Approach 87 Business Modeling and Design 92 Chapter Summary 104 Chapter 5: Developing a Governance Structure for Blockchain Networks 105 Governance Structure and Landscape 109 SCTrustNet 118 Chapter Summary 121 Chapter 6: Building a Team to Drive Blockchain Projects 123 Enterprise Structures in a Decentralized Economy 124 Roles of an Enterprise in a Blockchain Network 126 Building an Effective Team 128 Intraprise Synergy 132 An Example of a Blockchain Project Team 134 Chapter Summary 135 Chapter 7: Understanding Financial Models, Investment Rubrics, and Model Risk Frameworks 137 Understanding Blockchain Project Financial Fundamentals 139 Blockchain Investment Rubric 143 Return on Investment Modeling 148 Risk Modeling 153 Chapter Summary 159 References 160 Chapter 8: Looking Ahead: What Does the Future Hold? 163 The Network of Networks 164 Blockchain at the Nexus of Technology 167 Blockchain Opportunities and Challenges: What Lies Ahead? 173 Overall Summary 176 References 180 Index 183

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Book SynopsisA trio of experts on high-tech business strategy and innovation reveal the principles that have made platform businesses the most valuable firms in the world and the first trillion-dollar companies.Trade Review“The authors authoritatively document the rules and pitfalls of platforms, combining years of research with practical guidelines and real-life examples. A must-read for all operators or participants of existing or future platform businesses.” — Stephane Kasriel, CEO of Upwork “Whether you are a customer wanting to understand the economic logic behind platforms, a business manager wanting to learn platform strategies, or a regulator wanting to become informed about platform governance, this book offers indepth, cogent, and up-to-date answers by three experts who began analyzing platforms when the word wasn’t even known. A true treatise and treasure.” — Bengt Holmstrom, Paul A. Samuelson Professor of Economics and Management at MIT and winner of the 2016 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences “Essential reading for any business trying to compete as a platform or against a platform. Even traditional businesses must understand how to evolve into a platform and partner with other platforms. Sound complicated? This book will help you sort it out.” — Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott International “Should every business jump on, surrender to, or be a platform? Should government condemn, regulate, or imitate platform businesses? This book not only answers these questions; it also provides critical understanding of the underpinning and superstructure of platforms. For every business and social leader, this is the go-to book for learning the essential lessons about the business phenomenon of our times.” — Reed Hundt, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and author of A Crisis Wasted: Barack Obama’s Defining Decisions “The Business of Platforms should be read by all managers, entrepreneurs, investors, and academics interested in platform businesses. It is rigorous and valuable, yet very readable.” — Richard Schmalensee, former dean of the MIT Sloan School of Management and coauthor of Matchmakers: The New Economics of Multisided Platforms

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Book SynopsisSince its introduction in 2009, Bitcoin has been widely promoted as a digital currency that will revolutionize everything from online commerce to the nation-state. Yet supporters of Bitcoin and its blockchain technology subscribe to a form of cyberlibertarianism that depends to a surprising extent on far-right political thought. The Politics of Bitcoin exposes how much of the economic and political thought on which this cryptocurrency is based emerges from ideas that travel the gamut, from Milton Friedman, F.A. Hayek, and Ludwig von Mises to Federal Reserve conspiracy theorists.Forerunners: Ideas First is a thought-in-process series of breakthrough digital publications. Written between fresh ideas and finished books, Forerunners draws on scholarly work initiated in notable blogs, social media, conference plenaries, journal articles, and the synergy of academic exchange. This is gray literature publishing: where intense thinking, change, and speculation take place in scholarship.Trade Review"Golumbia, in his small but important way, is helping wake us to the falsity of our perceived neutrality."—One Flew East"This book is a very readable and valuable monograph which combines sound historical research with insightful analysis. All concerned citizens should read this book, which is an essential resource for understanding the true stakes of current technological hyperbole."—Newsclick"Golumbia a le mérite de s’attaquer à des idées qui ne sont pas suffisamment remises en question dans les communautés de la cryptomonnaie et des technologies de chaînes concertées. J’en recommande fortement la lecture à quiconque s’interroge sur les impacts de ces technologies sur nos sociétés."—D’un bloc à l’autre

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Book SynopsisUSA Today BestsellerIn 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.   Trade Review"Vaynerchuk draws on his experiences, successes, and mistakes to offer uplifting advice about leadership and happiness. . . . A genial business guru redefines success." — Kirkus Reviews "A dishy memoir and a kind of 'best of Gary' anecdotes and reflections." — Forbes “A forward-thinking revelation and an enjoyable read. This is not your typical nuts-and-bolts guide to being a better businessperson, but it is instead a personal journey through Vaynerchuk’s psyche that shows that there’s a lot more to being successful than KPIs, numbers, and drive. Twelve and a Half isn’t just about making you a better businessperson—it’s about making you a better human being, which is exactly what we need right now.” — Shondaland

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Book SynopsisThis second edition of Digital Analytics for Marketing provides students with a comprehensive overview of the tools needed to measure digital activity and implement best practices when using data to inform marketing strategy. It is the first text of its kind to introduce students to analytics platforms from a practical marketing perspective.Demonstrating how to integrate large amounts of data from web, digital, social, and search platforms, this helpful guide offers actionable insights into data analysis, explaining how to connect the dots and humanize information to make effective marketing decisions. The authors cover timely topics, such as social media, web analytics, marketing analytics challenges, and dashboards, helping students to make sense of business measurement challenges, extract insights, and take effective actions. The book's experiential approach, combined with chapter objectives, summaries, and review questions, will engage readers, deepening their learTable of Contents1. Introduction to Digital Marketing and Analytics 2. Digital Marketing KPIs, Strategy, Ecosystems, Governance, and More 3. The Evolution of Digital Analytics and the Internet 4. The Growth and Relevance of Social Media in Analytics and Digital Marketing 5. Data for Digital Marketing Analytics 6. Social Media Analytics for Digital Marketing 7. Actions, Hyperlink, and Mobile Analytics in Digital Marketing 8. Advanced AI and Algorithms 9. Basic Web Analytics and Web Intelligence 10. Advanced Web Analytics and Web Intelligence 11. Aligning Digital Marketing with Business Strategy 12. Deriving Strategic Insights and ‘Digital Value’ from Digital Marketing Analytics

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