Rollercoaster: The Turbulent Life and Times of Vodafone and Chris Gent

ISBN-13: 9781841124315 / Angielski / Twarda / 2003 / 256 str.

Trevor Merriden

Opis

Rollercoaster is a fast-paced and compelling business narrative that chronicles one of the most dramatic periods in business history. It is the story of Chris Gent and Vodafone.

Loved by the City as a brilliant dealmaker, Gent himself is often described by those who know him as affable and self-effacing. Yet he has somehow fostered a deeply engrained culture of ruthless ambition in those who run Vodafone in his name. But as the telecommunications sector has imploded, Vodafone has been swept along by bad news amongst accusations of poor acquisitions, over-investment and -fat cat- payouts for Gent himself. Trevor Merriden charts the dramatic rise of Gent and Vodafone and assesses the underlying forces driving the man and the company. He examines the turbulent recent history, of Gent's resignation, and asks searching questions about the future of the company.

Recenzje

"...Timed to coincide with Vodafone′s results yesterday comes Rollercoaster, Trevor Merriden′s history of the company and its outgoing chief executive Sir Christopher Gent..." (Daily Telegraph, 28 May 2003)

"...a fantastic read...it gives the reader an insight into their (Chris Gent & Vodafone) stunning achievement..." (Management Today, June 2003)

"...a fast–paced and compelling narrative...Rollercoaster presents the only true picture of the fortunes of the man and the company..." (Luton News, 4 June 2003)

"...Here you will find all the highlights of the spectacular story of one of the UK′s genuine world class companies..." (Accounting & Business, July/August 2003)

"...not just an exciting and pacey history of one of the world′s most powerful company′s, it provides a real insight..." (Get Feedback, 23 June 2003)

"...Merriden writes clearly and tells a good story..." (Information Age, July 2003)

"...this is a fascinating account of the troubles of Vodafone..." (The Shetland Times, 19 September 2003)

"...compelling reading..." (Long Range Planning, Vol 37, 2004)

Spis treści

Acknowledgements.

Introduction.

PART ONE: On The Up.

CHAPTER ONE: Here come the Buccaneers.

CHAPTER TWO: Shy Sam and Curious Klaus.

CHAPTER THREE: The impossible dream.

CHAPTER FOUR: Blood and Betrayal.

PART TWO: Life On Top Of The Rollercoaster .

CHAPTER FIVE: Red devils and prancing horses.

CHAPTER SIX: Trouble in Vodaville.

PART THREE: A Whiteknuckle Ride.

CHAPTER SEVEN: From Powerhouse to Penny Shore.

CHAPTER EIGHT: The trouble with money.

PART FOUR: Now You See Him, Now You Don t.

CHAPTER NINE: Back in fashion.

CHAPTER TEN: Now you see him, now you don t.

O autorze

Trevor Merriden has written, lectured and broadcast on a wide range of business and economic issues for media in Europe, North America and Australasia.  He is editor of Human Resources magazine and is also author of Irresisitible Forces and Business the Nokia Way.

Blurb

Here′s what the critics said about the Trevor Merriden′s book IRRESISTIBLE FORCES – The Business Legacy of Napster and the Growth of the Underground Internet:"It is wonderful journal–of–record stuff ...."

– The Guardian

"In this captivating account ... Irresistible Forces is an essential read ... and for any interested web user, it′s a fine browse".

– Globebooks.com" well researched and brilliantly clear. [It′s] not the only book written about Napster but ... for sheer readability it is highly recommended."

– M2Communications.com"The story is gripping reading, but Merriden′s grasp of the wider implications is even more impressive."

– Cre@te Online"The book is a very good read, absorbing and informative ... a great source of information on the history of Napster and the file–sharing movement and is worth reading for this alone."

– Brand Republic"...detailed and enjoyable...Irresistible Forces is a soundtrack for the new worl d of the internet." – The Manager