Part 7 : Learn by doing

And how should managers and executives best prepare themselves for the Internet and Information age?
Learn. Go online and learn. Read and learn. Ask questions and learn. The greatest and deepest impacts the Internet will have on business has not even been defined yet, so those who are able to stay in learning mode today will have the advantage tomorrow. But there is no time to wait and see.

Most of all, learn by doing. Don't wait for the market to turn around, for the Web to "mature", for the security issues to be resolved. If your company is not moving right now, it will miss the wave. You don't need a big deal project. You need no pressure to have to "prove" anything yet. Just find a half dozen or so applications where the Internet could be put to work, and start learning! Something to help customers. Some way to cut order entry or processing time, perhaps. Some way to help suppliers make smarter bids. Some way to cut inventories, using the Internet's reach, interactivity and low cost.

Mind, everything you try will be wrong, but you won't really know why until you try it. So keep the projects small, concentrated, cheap. But get moving, because most of the knowledge you need is only going to come from inside your company.

And what about the rest of us? What can employees of major corporations do?
The same, at least in general terms: learn, practice, experiment, both in your projects for your company and your own online professional growth.

Are there specific steps you can suggest to better position oneself for an online career?
Yes, but that is another huge question, so let's deal with it next time, please.

OK. I guess the Web will still be here then...
Bank on it!