Part 1 : Life, the Universe and the Net

Matt, you're kept busy with various activities; a book project, consultancy work, writing assignments, and your TechSector program. At the same time, as a commentator, you're expected to be up to speed with all the goings on across the Internet economy. How do you keep up, and any tips on managing information effectively?
This is an excellent question. We definitely are living in the Information Age today, which has its major pluses and minuses. The amount of information now available at our fingertips today because of the Web is staggering. One, two, three clicks - and it seems like I can find almost anything today. Obviously, the downside to this is that I think a lot of times we all run the risk of drowning in this information as well. It's key then to find Internet commentators, writers and publications that you can trust.

I read a lot of newsletters and different sites that help me cut through the clutter and stay focused. People need to learn (especially online) to quickly skim articles and move on. In fact, I believe information overload is such a big deal that I created my own daily report, called the Ragas Report. The report is really a quick executive summary for Internet professionals and investors specifically designed so that people don't have to wade through a zillion sites, newsletters and magazines each day! We need more "human filter" e-newsletters like this I think.

What are the pros and cons of being in Florida, which is geographically-speaking not a traditional Internet hotspot?
The pros are easy. Great weather - lots of sun, beaches and no snow! It's really a great place to live - and work. Yes, there aren't a lot of Net companies specifically in this area or the state, but the amount of technology focused older companies in this area is actually strong because of the presence of NASA and major defense contractors here. So there are a number of tech- savvy people in the area to bounce ideas off of.

Frankly, I think being away from Silicon Valley and Silicon Alley helps me stay focused in my new opinions, and above a lot of the hype that is floating around out there! On top of this, this is the Internet industry- "have a modem, will travel." I think location is becoming less and less important in the Internet connected world we live in. Realistically, I already live and work on the Net when you get down to it!!

I'm guessing from your bio that you value fresh challenges and independence. But do you ever now get tempted to take up full-time employment in a "traditional" Internet company and tackle some of the very challenges you highlight in your articles and interviews?
I love my independence. I am sitting here right now in shorts and a T-shirt in my home office living it up, instead of being stuck in some glass tower somewhere. The Internet is incredibly powerful for sole proprietors and has given me an amazing platform to pursue a variety of exciting projects all at once.

Sure, there are things I miss about being in a traditional Net company, but in that environment it would be virtually impossible for me to don as many hats as I do now. I love working on a variety of projects at once. Keeps me thinking. But sure, I do get tempted some days when I'm sitting here juggling things- to accept some of the recent investment banking and IT consulting gigs that have come my way. But then I remember how much I enjoy being able to set my own schedule, and those thoughts quickly go out the window!

If you could put your commentator hat on for us now. The Internet gets a huge amount of press and those working online see themselves at the forefront of the business universe. Yet online transactions still account for only a tiny portion of all retail purchases, for example, and many still consider the Web as just another communication medium. Do you think the Internet really is such a radical and far-reaching development for the business world? Is it overrated, or are the real impacts behind the scenes rather than at the point of sale?
Well, I think the Internet is going through an especially difficult and public maturation because of all the attention it gets from the media. Right now, the Web has gone from being the cute, little baby that everyone thought was perfect into this wild-eyed toddler that doesn't always do what we tell it. But this will obviously change. The Web will mature. I maintain that the Web is the most powerful communication and transactional medium that the world has ever seen.

To answer the second part of your question, I think what's going on behind the scenes in the supply chain of businesses is more revolutionary than the front end consumer Web end of things. Because at the end of the day, retailing on the Web is very similar to traditional direct marketing channels like catalogs- just on a more interactive and personalized level. Don't fall into the trap of listening to the wild swings in perception of the Net by the press. That's what it takes for them to sell papers and get ratings. They are in the business of "extremes" after all!

Continued...