The Business of Software: What Every Manager, Programmer, and Entrepreneur Must Know to Thrive and Survive in Good Times and Bad

The software industry is in a fast-paced league of its own. The drive to have the highest level of speed, the highest level of flexibility in strategic planning, and the need to manage talent of a different generation and mindset, make it truly unique. Few possess as much experience showing software professionals how to succeed as Michael Cusumano, who has served as a board member or consultant to such organizations as AT&T, AOL, CompuServe, Lucent and Verizon. THE SOFTWARE BUSINESS packs his invaluable insight into a single, powerful guide. Just as he did in MICROSOFT SECRETS, Cusumano links issues of strategy and organization with those of managing technology. He argues that the key to success in the $600 billion software business is choosing a business model that will capitalize on the good times and survive the bad. Through eye-opening case studies, Cusumano introduces a ground breaking framework that any manager can use to select the right business model from a choice of three: products, services, or hybrid business solutions. A must-read for every manager, programmer, analyst, entrepreneur, and student interested in software, THE SOFTWARE BUSINESS is destined to become a handbook for getting ahead in the competitive field of computers and e-commerce.