v1.0, January 2001

Test Your Internet IQ
Drawing on experience with Fortune 1000 executives, Cisco's Internet Business Solutions Group developed a 20-question analysis tool to assess an organization's ability to migrate to an Internet Business model. Take the survey yourself, then read the new book "net.ready" for an in-depth explanation.

It's Lonely on the Edge
Every 3 months, 60 executives responsible for moving their companies into the Internet Economy gather to discuss challenges and frustrations. This group offers a remarkable window into what it takes to transform a big company into a Net company.

Logistics Key to B2B
Although some companies have proactively addressed the back-end issues associated with order fulfillment, many are still laying the groundwork for their e-business game plan. In the Internet economy the logistics platform will have to address content management, application development, cross-function integration, business intelligence, and mobile Internet access.

Dangerous Liaisons
Are you looking to work with an industry consortium as your eMarketplace strategy? The truth is, most of these new consortia won't make it. This Business 2.0 article explains the framework for success, points you at the business model options and some examples of each, and offers some key questions to ask. For those who prefer picture explanations, we have that too.

Welcome to the Mix & Match Economy
Amazon.com and Toys "R" Us are partnering. This sort of alliance will increasingly become the norm, with symbiotic alliances between functional experts replacing the jack-of-all-trades structures of the conventional firm. The traditional retail organization is rapidly being unbundled, and it's up to retailers to determine which components they want to own.

The Infrastructure Imperative
Research finds that companies with excellent links between infrastructure capability and business goals deliver a premium of up to 40% in business performance. But only 20% achieve that infrastructure-based performance boost. Making the right I.T. infrastructure decisions now, with the long term in mind, can help smart companies move into that elite group tomorrow.

6,000,000 Web Pages in 90 Days
What does it to put up a 6 million page web site in 90 days? GE's Aircraft Engine division (GEAE) knows and tells in this Darwin magazine article. Some of their tips look a lot like KPMG's SMART Project Management, while others are more unique. If you too feel The Need for Speed, we also suggest you check out this Fast Company article for specific tips.

Fixing Web Site Usability
"The fact is, most Web sites stink when it comes to gathering useful information. In a recent usability study of nine highly regarded Web sites... most of some 70 test users could not find specific information they were instructed to find...." Here are some tips for fixing that avoidable problem. For even more background, read this interview with the study's guru, Jared Spool.

GovTech Best of the Web 2000
Chosen from close to 200 entries in this USA-focused contest, the winning sites focused on using a portal approach and providing easy access to frequently used consumer services. To read more on the ingredients behind award-winning e-government sites, check out this article. Can your public services learn from these winners?

Personalization's Dark Side
Personalization has the potential to completely revolutionize market relationships. But this potential cuts two ways. If personalization is used merely as a means of automating and hyper-extending the kinds of techniques marketers have traditionally relied on, you'll lose customers instead. The Editor-In-Chief of Personalization.com explains...

The Global Networked Business
Multinational sites are just part of the equation. Globalization is not going away, and KPMG Consulting isn't the only firm working through these issues. But when losing abroad may also mean losing at home, it's innovate globally or die. eBusiness is both a beneficiary of this trend, and a catalyst for it. Welcome to the Global Networked Business.

Making Alliances Work
While the potential boost to success and profitability is very great, most alliances fail. Do you know enough to help? Armed with an understanding of the alliance-capability process and its common traps, you can. If you need a primer or some quick examples, this CIO magazine article is pretty good. For a more in-depth understanding of the pitfalls and routes to success, however, we strongly recommend this Strategy & Business article.

Amicable Split
Companies are dividing I.T. staffs to better compete in the Internet race. Not a bad idea, and their Web teams may be cool -- but they'd better stay connected to their legacy pals. What are you doing in this area?

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