Information and the Modern Corporation

More about the book

In an era dominated by the latest gadgets and tech expansions, we may overlook a significant shift: the transformation of entire firms and industries into vast information-processing entities. Currently, over eighty percent of workers engage in collecting and analyzing information, primarily in digital formats, as part of their roles. This guide explores the pivotal role of information in contemporary business, detailing its application in work processes and tracing its flow through supply-chain management, product development, customer relations, and sales. Focusing on information rather than technology, the author—a seasoned IBM manager and consultant—distinguishes between data, facts, information, and knowledge. He illustrates how analytics have replaced intuition-driven decision-making with fact-based approaches. The book also highlights the working style of "road warriors," who operate from anywhere with their laptops and cell phones, using their expertise as a valuable currency. Ultimately, information is the essence of the modern enterprise, shaping its activities. This guide equips managers and employees with strategies to effectively leverage information, emphasizing intentional design over chance.