Mike: Amazon finally managed to get the manual to me. If I ever find time out from reading all the good stuff on the SI threads and watching what is really important - football - I hope to be in a position to discuss some ideas raised in the new GG book.
In the meantime found this rave on B2B on the SI Softbank thread (including a plug for ICGE):
Talk : Coffee Shop : Softbank - Japanese Internet stock
To: Netwit (1619 )
From: Jay Chen Friday, Sep 10 1999 8:20PM ET
Reply # of 1651
Hello Netwit, I am afraid to say but I may have fallen to the mania or I may have started to believe the stuff I dish out to clients. Much of my work involves B2B internet startup (financial analysis and China regulatory circumvention) and many of my friends work in the area as well. I have recently bought (actually sold puts) into the stratospherically high priced Vertical Net (VERT @ 35, Sept expiration, nets $2.87 per share premium, intend to keep selling puts each month until I get putted or until I think matters are really out of hand and I get a nose bleed from altitude) and I just bought (out right) a bunch of Internet Capital Group (ICGE @ 66). B2B will wipe B2C with the floor as far as revenue and profit is concerned (as opposed to eyeballs). B2B is about survival, B2C is about fun and convenience. Projections, by me or ML, are based on wishes, dreams, imagination, phantom plausible strategies and counter strategies, and having watched too many FX movies. I continue to hold my Yahoo as I note they have made a move in the B2B area. Their name brand and cash and expertise will help matters on the battlefield. For all of the companies involved, the bloodfest is very Quake like, survival based on constant, rapid and deliberated motion, as opposed to hiding in a corner waiting for the inevitable stray grenade bouncing off the corner wall. This internet thing is simply too much fun.
Should also check out a company called Li & Fung based in Hong Kong, featured on the latest Forbes Global. They are integrating a great big supply chain starting with raw material ending with clothes many Americans and Europeans are wearing.
Once the press starts to jump on the bandwagon (and they have JUST started), the mania may make B2C mania seem positively tame to the point of tepid.
Cha2 |
