Secrets of Software Success: Management Insights from 100 Software Firms Around the World

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In Secrets of Software Success, Detlev Hoch, with Cyriac Roeding, Gert Purkert, and Sandro Lindner, look at what's driving the prosperity of the world's best software companies and what's responsible for the failure of others. The authors, who are consultants with McKinsey & Co. in Germany, visited nearly 100 software firms around the globe and conducted 450 in-depth interviews with executives. The result is a book loaded with sharp insights and colorful anecdotes from leaders of companies such as Microsoft Germany, Keane Inc., BroadVision, Andersen Consulting, Oracle, Sun Microsystems, and Navision in Denmark. "The opportunities for success in this industry remain strong," they conclude. "But the price of change brings new challenges and uncertainties. Neglecting these challenges could be a deadly mistake: Falling behind in the software industry, after all, almost certainly means failure."

In separate chapters, the authors examine the importance of leadership, the keys to developing and marketing software, winning the war for software talent, cementing partnerships for growth, and the shape of the future of this rapidly changing industry. Some of their findings are contrary to common belief. For example, software developers' and managers' disdain for rigid procedures is well known, but what the authors find is that morale and creativity actually rise with tighter rules that create better products and cut development time. Other conclusions are reinforcing; for example, the most successful companies team up with four times as many other firms as the less successful ones. Written in a lively, conversational style, Secrets of Software Success should be on the bookshelf of anyone connected to the software business. --Dan Ring

Book Description

The software industry is the most powerful wealth creator in history. It's an industry of extreme success--unrivaled job creation, extraordinary growth, accelerated product cycles--but the failures can be just as spectacular. What can we learn from the winners? In Secrets of Software Success, the authors investigate the software industry's best practices in order to develop a complete picture of what it takes to build a thriving software business.

Drawing on an exclusive worldwide survey of more than 100 global software companies and 450 top executives, Secrets of Software Success presents the first panoramic view of the conditions that influence results for both the product and the service sides of the software industry. In the highly readable and often provocative examples from well-known firms, the authors debunk many widely held-beliefs, and offer instead some surprisingly counterintuitive findings. Ultimately, say the authors, the secret to success lies in the details--the ability to choose from a range of key management decisions in order to balance the right set of actions at the right time to rapidly changing market conditions.

With its universal lessons of competition, commitment, talent, and timing, Secrets of Software Success holds valuable answers to the questions asked by executives in every industry. Covering firms from Australia to Zimbabwe, it is the most in-depth picture to date of the conditions that surround success in the global software business.

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The most in-depth picture to date of the conditions that surround success in the global software business, Secrets of Software Success investigates the software industry's best practices in order to develop a complete picture of what it takes to build a thriving software business. Covering firms from Australia to Zimbabwe, the authors draw on an exclusive worldwide survey of more than 100 global software companies and 450 top executives. Secrets of Software Success presents the first panoramic view of the conditions that influence results for both the product and the service sides of the software industry. In the highly readable and often provocative examples from well-known firms, the authors debunk many widely held beliefs, and offer instead some surprisingly counterintuitive findings. Ultimately, say the authors, the secret to success lies in the details--the ability to choose from a range of key management decisions in order to balance the right set of actions at the right time with rapidly changing market conditions. With its universal lessons of competition, commitment, talent, and timing, Secrets of Software Success holds valuable answers to the questions asked by executives in every industry.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent book by Hoch of McKinsey.......2003-11-16

Secrets of Software Success goes beyond the dry research papers that appear in the McKinsey Quarterly. Several consultants took upshots from 450 executives and laid them out in a concise and applicable manner. The authors reveal traits that could be implemented at any industry. Software consulting firms lead the industry in customer service and spend 78% of their advertising budget marketing their company name. We see so many software start ups as 95% is intangible capital. Partnerships are used to make up for gaps. Most companies make decisions quickly as they are based on a flat team-based organizational structure. Besides stock options, their culture has successfully overcome factors such as a variety of work styles and high turnover. Almost all companies do daily builds as stress causes 40% of all software errors and late fixes in design could cost 200 times an immediate fix. To conclude, a must read for anyone who wants to be a part of the digitized future.

I expect better content from McKinsey folks.........2001-08-21

Overall this is an adequate book for the title. However, coming from McKinsey folks, then...... hmmm.... The writing is a little sloppy and some of the analysis are not really insights. There ought to be more daring predictions at the end of the book from the authors... I suggest the authors to create an updated edition NOW since things are changing so much so fast in the software industry.

A great analysis of today's software industry.......2001-04-04

If you work in software, then you MUST read 'Secrets of Software Success'. Its analysis of the factors influencing software company performance is both rigorous and entertaining.

good for individuals not in information technology.......2000-11-28

if you are in information technology and "get the business", then avoid this book...

otherwise, look into it... great true stories on how software companies grow organically and rapidly in a business that has revolutionized the way we work and communicate daily.

this book is also very beneficial for cio's just entering the "arena" and are in need of some motivation and direction.

enjoy!

lot's of info, little insight, nothing quantitative.......2000-07-25

"Secrets of.." reflects a lot of work by the four authors.

Unfortunately a lot of information is repeated throughout several chapters, which make reading the book from front to end a bit strenuous.

While the collection of data is impressive and the message is clear, the book lacks what I expected from it: a quantitative yardstick to evaluate the players in the software products market and the software service companies.

Customer Reviews:

An Absolute Rip-Off !!!.......2002-02-06

At first I thought that I had bought a good book for quick reference but then I discovered how I basically got my money stolen out of my pocket: Pay attention at chapter 1 and chapter 3 and then chapter 4 and so on. The book is basically a repetition of the first two chapters. Eg: each line in the index of Chapter 1 is exactly repeated in Chapter 3 and the same with the other chapters. I wish I had not marked my copy with highlighter so that I could return this book!!

Complete and Convenient.......2001-02-18

Through these ten years since B-school, I have often returned to the old text books to retrieve a forgotten concept or calculation. Each time, I also referred to Tyran's "Vest-Pocket Business Ratios" book..as well as Downes' "Dictionary of Finance and Investment Terms". These two books are small..fit easily in the daypack as I head to Starbuck's...and offer quick financial statements and definitions to support concepts. I purchased two copies of Tyran.

Just OK!.......1999-01-18

This book is acceptable as a quick reference guide. However, there are a few typos and the wording is a little off in a few ratios. The book has come in handy a few times when I couldn't remember a ratio, but I would not be lost with out it. In other words, it's ok to have but you won't miss it if you don't have it.

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Vest Pocket Cfo Guide Bus Ratios Set
Seigal
Manufacturer: Jossey Bass Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

The Vest-Pocket Guide to Business Ratios

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The Vest-Pocket Guide to Business Ratios
Michael R. Tyran
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OICSNU

Book Description

Over the past 30 years one alarming trend is the emergence of plant species resistant to agrochemicals (e.g. insecticides, herbicides, fungicides). Considering the fact that these pesticides are crucial to human health and to food, feed and fiber production, impressive research was carried out during the last decade to understand the mechanisms of resistance development. This volume reviews the latest results and examines the implications of these findings for delaying or avoiding resistance in plants to agrochemicals.

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Ekrem Ayna phD .......2005-12-17

This is the most important book ever written if you want to see the tech. beyon human DNA sequencing so Ian Dunham is a major scientist in the field. The book is written from the core of DNA sequencing Sanger Institute. Specialy part two includes some suprises for beginners. More than a 'How to..' text, the book describes the philosphy of the subject. Suitable for all levels even if you are not familiar with the field.

21st Century Complete Guide to Human Genome Research: Genetic Mapping, DNA Sequencing, Chromosomes, Bioethics, Tools and Techniques, Gene Variations and Disease

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21st Century Complete Guide to Human Genome Research: Genetic Mapping, DNA Sequencing, Chromosomes, Bioethics, Tools and Techniques, Gene Variations and Disease
PM Medical Health News
Manufacturer: Progressive Management
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM
ASIN: 1592480411

Book Description

This electronic book on CD-ROM presents comprehensive information on the exciting field of human genome research, with documents from the National Human Genome Research Institute Human Genome Project (HGP), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, and the President's Council on Bioethics. The HGP is the international effort to map and sequence all the genes in the human body. (The HGP also includes efforts to characterize and sequence the entire genomes of several other organisms, many of which are used extensively in biological research since identification of the function of genes in a model organism is one approach to understanding the function of human genes.) Every facet of this remarkable project is covered in extraordinary detail with color illustrations, from basic tutorials to technical research reports. There is information for the public, and data for researchers; FAQs about genetics and health, specific genetic disorders, clinical research, recent advances and discoveries, extensive discussions about the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic research

In all, the disc has over 25,000 pages reproduced using Adobe Acrobat PDF software - allowing direct viewing on Windows and Apple Macintosh systems. Reader software is included on the CD.

This book-on-a-disc makes a superb reference work for anyone interested in genetics and genome research! It is designed to provide a convenient user-friendly general reference work, utilizing the benefits of the Adobe Acrobat format to uniformly present thousands of pages that can be rapidly reviewed or printed without untold hours of tedious searching and downloading. Vast archives of important public domain government information that might otherwise remain inaccessible are available for instant review no matter where you are.

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Genome Mapping and Sequencing 1990
Maynard; Cantor, Charles; and Roberts, Richard Olson
Manufacturer: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KO5W7C

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Genome Mapping and Sequencing 1991
Maynard; Cantor, Charles; and Roberts, Richard Olson
Manufacturer: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KO1QRM

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Genomics : International Journal of Gene Mapping and Necleotide Sequencing Emphasizing Analyses pf the Human and Other Complex Genomes, Vol. 11, No. 1, September 1991
Victor ; Ruddle, Frank H. McKusick
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KEPNZS

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Genomics : International Journal of Gene Mapping and Necleotide Sequencing Emphasizing Analyses pf the Human and Other Complex Genomes, Vol. 12, No. 4, April , 1992
Victor ; Ruddle, Frank H. McKusick
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KEPNZI

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Genomics : International Journal of Gene Mapping and Necleotide Sequencing Emphasizing Analyses pf the Human and Other Complex Genomes, Vol. 38, No. 1, Nov. 15, 1996
Raju S.; McKusick, Victor ; Ruddle, Frank H. Kucherlapati
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KF2VFW

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Genomics : International Journal of Gene Mapping and Necleotide Sequencing Emphasizing Analyses pf the Human and Other Complex Genomes, Vol. 39, No. 1, Jan. 1, 1997
Raju S.; McKusick, Victor ; Ruddle, Frank H. Kucherlapati
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KF2VH0

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Genomics : International Journal of Gene Mapping and Necleotide Sequencing Emphasizing Analyses pf the Human and Other Complex Genomes, Vol. 39, No. 2, Jan. 15 1996
Raju S.; McKusick, Victor ; Ruddle, Frank H. Kucherlapati
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KF4PJM

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Genomics : International Journal of Gene Mapping and Necleotide Sequencing Emphasizing Analyses pf the Human and Other Complex Genomes, Vol. 39, No. 3, Feb. 1, 1997
Raju S.; McKusick, Victor ; Ruddle, Frank H. Kucherlapati
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KF2VFM

Book Description

Volcanoes of North America capitalises on the vast body of volcano literature now available to present, in a single source, detailed information about volcanoes found in North America. It contains brief accounts, written by leading experts in volcanology, of over 250 volcanoes and volcanic fields formed during the last 5 million years. The volcanoes of the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada are described. The precise location of each volcano is given, and the volcano is classified by type. Information about composition and eruptive history is also included. Each narrative description is accompanied by a photograph, a map of each location, and an extremely helpful statement on how to reach each volcano. The entries are mostly written at a level understandable by lay readers, but technical terms are also used and a background in geology is advantageous. Volcanoes of North America will be a standard reference work for practising volcanologists, petrologists, and geochemists, and to some extent, geographers. In addition, the maps and the 'How to get there' sections make this a highly valuable book for anyone interested in natural history or fascinated by volcanoes.

Customer Reviews:

Review of Volcanoes in North America.......2002-12-16

The book is well written and informative: I reccomend it! It;s absolutely super!

An excellent guide for the initiated.......2002-03-09

This is no book for someone not previously familiar with volcano technology. That much aside, the book is an absolute gem for anyone planning a trip to the Cascade Range, California, or other volcanic area of the continental USA or Canada. A must-have for anyone geeked on volcanoes.

Book Description

This is the first text on the modern theory of superconductivity. It deals with the behaviour of superconductors in external fields varying in time, and with transport phenomena in superconductors. The book starts with the fundamentals of the first-principle, microscopic theory of superconductivity, and guides the reader through the modern theoretical analysis directly to applications of the theory to practical problems. The reader of this book will learn about the methods of quantum field theory applied to nonstationary superconductivity in their most advanced formulation, namely about the so-called semi-classical version of the real-time Green's function technique applied to the celebrated Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer model of superconductivity. A considerable part of the book is devoted to vortex dynamics, dealing with the behaviour of superconductors in the most practical situation when they carry electric currents in the presence of a magnetic field.

Theory of nonequilibrium superconductivity near spin-active interfaces : (Dissertation)

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Theory of nonequilibrium superconductivity near spin-active interfaces : (Dissertation)
Erhai Zhao
Manufacturer: ProQuest Information and Learning
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Theory of Nonequilibrium Superconductivity (International Series of Monographs on Physics)

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Theory of Nonequilibrium Superconductivity (International Series of Monographs on Physics)
N. B Kopnin
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press(UK)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKWAUE

Book Description

Pittsburgh has always been-despite its industrial reputation-a great city in which to be a writer. Its active, close-knit writing community has seen the rise of several luminaries with Pittsburgh connections, such as Annie Dillard and Stewart O'Nan, and the caliber of Pittsburgh's writing community today is better than ever. Lee Gutkind has assembled a reunion of sorts with writers from across the nation, as well as the up-and-coming stars on the local scene-each of whom has a Pittsburgh connection. Many grew up in the region, others attended college here: all of them have an association with the city. The resulting collection of essays is both gentle and jarring, eclectic and persuasive, covering a range of topics-from a stripper's work ethic to West Virginia's famed Matewan shootout, Atlantic City's Boardwalk before Donald Trump, and the uses of poetry to better understand one's own life. Although Pittsburgh is not the subject of most of the essays, these writers are bound by their affinity for the written word and their collective fondness for Pittsburgh.

Contributors include: Annie Dillard, "Notes For Young Writers"; Diane Ackerman, "Language at Play"; Stewart O' Nan, "My Mysteries of Pittsburgh"; Megan Foss, "Skin Deep"; Elissa Wald, "Notes from the Catwalk"; Omari Daniel & Malcolm Daniel, "We Fish"; Malcolm Cash, "The Preacher Says"; Keely Bowers, "How Butterflies Grew Wings"; Hilary Masters, "Passing Through Pittsburgh"; Lester Goran, "The Conjurer's Profession"; Chuck Kinder, "That Sweet Anarchy We Call Youth"; Leslie Rubinkowski, "In the Woods"; Kathleen Veslany, "Lessons In Persuasion"; Richard Peterson, "As I Was Walking Down Carson Street"; Jan Beatty, "Ghost Story"; and a photo essay about photographer Charles "Teenie" Harris.

Customer Reviews:

A persuasion for a purchase.......2000-07-31

Lessons in persuasion is a wonderful collection of short stories that not only brings alive pictures of Pittsburgh, but also the worlds of various authors from the area. The book is particularly effective because of its combination of stories from experienced writers such as Lester Goran and Annie Dillard with that of younger writers such as Megan Foss and Malcolm Cash. A bonus is the pictorial collection of Charles "Tennie" Harris accompanied by Lea Simonds essay on his life that offers the reader a peek into the world Pulitzer prize-winning playwright August Wilson has chosen as a setting to his series of plays chronicling the 20th century African-American experience. Harris' photos are a tribute to his paper, the Pittsburgh Courier, and the African-American community of the Hill District that supported it. This book is appropriate for those interested in stories of local interest to Pittsburgh, young writers seeking inspiration and tips as well as those who are just looking for authentic tales.

Lessons in Persuasion: Writers with Pittsburgh Roots or Connections (Creative Nonfiction, Number 15)

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Lessons in Persuasion: Writers with Pittsburgh Roots or Connections (Creative Nonfiction, Number 15)

Manufacturer: Creative Nonfiction Foundation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000EFIDT6

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