Rollercoaster

Rollercoaster is a fast-paced and compelling business narrative that chronicles one of the most dramatic periods in business history. It is the story of Chris Gent and Vodafone.

Loved by the City as a brilliant dealmaker, Gent himself is often described by those who know him as affable and self-effacing. Yet he has somehow fostered a deeply engrained culture of ruthless ambition in those who run Vodafone in his name. But as the telecommunications sector has imploded, Vodafone has been swept along by bad news amongst accusations of poor acquisitions, over-investment and "fat cat" payouts for Gent himself. Trevor Merriden charts the dramatic rise of Gent and Vodafone and assesses the underlying forces driving the man and the company. He examines the turbulent recent history, of Gent's resignation, and asks searching questions about the future of the company.

"Rollercoaster" ist das erste Buch auf dem Markt, das die höchst turbulente jüngste Unternehmensgeschichte von Vodafone charakterisiert.

Eine flotte und spannende Geschichte, die eine der dramatischsten Perioden in der Unternehmensgeschichte widerspiegelt.

Es ist die Geschichte von Chris Gent und Vodafone.

Als der Telekomsektor zusammenbrach, geriet auch Vodafone mit in den Strudel schlechter Nachrichten: Anklagen wegen schlecht durchgeführter Akquisitionen, Überinvestition, und übertrieben hohe Gehaltszahlungen für Vodafone-Chef Chris Gent.

Autor Tevor Merriden zeichnet hier den dramatischen Aufstieg von Gent und Vodafone nach und analysiert, welche Beweggründe beide für ihr Handeln hatten.

Er untersucht die turbulente jüngste Geschichte und stellt forschende Fragen zur Zukunft des Unternehmens.

Spannend und unterhaltsam geschrieben. Acknowledgements.

Introduction.

PART ONE: On The Up.

CHAPTER ONE: Here come the Buccaneers.

CHAPTER TWO: Shy Sam and Curious Klaus.

CHAPTER THREE: The impossible dream.

CHAPTER FOUR: Blood and Betrayal.

PART TWO: Life On Top Of The Rollercoaster .

CHAPTER FIVE: Red devils and prancing horses.

CHAPTER SIX: Trouble in Vodaville.

PART THREE: A Whiteknuckle Ride.

CHAPTER SEVEN: From Powerhouse to Penny Shore.

CHAPTER EIGHT: The trouble with money.

PART FOUR: Now You See Him, Now You Don’t.

CHAPTER NINE: Back in fashion.

CHAPTER TEN: Now you see him, now you don’t.

"...Timed to coincide with Vodafone's results yesterday comes Rollercoaster, Trevor Merriden's history of the company and its outgoing chief executive Sir Christopher Gent..." (Daily Telegraph, 28 May 2003)

"...a fantastic read...it gives the reader an insight into their (Chris Gent & Vodafone) stunning achievement..." (Management Today, June 2003)

"...a fast-paced and compelling narrative...Rollercoaster presents the only true picture of the fortunes of the man and the company..." (Luton News, 4 June 2003)

"...Here you will find all the highlights of the spectacular story of one of the UK's genuine world class companies..." (Accounting & Business, July/August 2003)

"...not just an exciting and pacey history of one of the world's most powerful company's, it provides a real insight..." (Get Feedback, 23 June 2003)

"...Merriden writes clearly and tells a good story..." (Information Age, July 2003)

"...this is a fascinating account of the troubles of Vodafone..." (The Shetland Times, 19 September 2003)

"...compelling reading..." (Long Range Planning, Vol 37, 2004)

TREVOR MERRIDEN has written, lectured and broadcast on a wide range of business and economic issues for media in Europe, North America and Australasia. He is editor of Human Resources magazine and is also author of Irresistible Forces and Business the Nokia Way.

Vodafone is today the largest mobile telecommunications network group in the world. Its phenomenal growth in recent years has come to be associated largely with one person, outgoing chief executive Sir Christopher Gent.

The six years of Gent’s tenure have been a massive rollercoaster ride for both Vodafone and himself. After taking over as Vodafone chief executive in January 1997, he enjoyed huge success in developing it into an international powerhouse. When the technology bubble burst, Gent and Vodafone took a seriously scary and prolonged downward plunge. Stocks slid to less than a quarter of the peak value and big questions were raised over his stewardship of his company.

In Rollercoaster, Trevor Merriden charts the dramatic ups and downs of Vodafone and Gent, and he assesses the underlying forces driving the man and the company - from the early days of Gent and the battle for Mannesmann, through to why Gent resigned, what his legacy is and what his successor will bring.

The story of Vodafone and Gent is paradoxical. Loved by the City as a brilliant dealmaker, Gent himself is often described by those who know him as affable and self-effacing. Yet he has somehow fostered a deeply engrained culture of ruthless ambition in those who run Vodafone in his name.

Above all, Rollercoaster is a fast-paced and compelling business narrative that chronicles one of the most dramatic periods in business history.