Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/61389
From Editors the Subtle Transformation I'll admit it. I'm a technophobe. I've never been a first adopter, never been the kind of person who hurried to buy extra gadgets to customize my newest electronic purchase. But even I am amazed at times by the way technology has changed my life, in ways both sub- tle and ubiquitous. In my own small house, there is a proliferation of televisions, VCRs, DVD players, CD players, computers, and phones—not to mention the radios, major appliances, and automobile that were technological marvels just a few generations ago. How has the technological revolution transformed my life so completely that I don't resent—or even notice—its intrusion any more? The only true answer is this: Technology makes everything better. It's terri- fying to learn and unbelievably frustrating when it fails, but when it works it's a profound marvel. It's life-changing. It's essential. Humans have a lot of con- genital desires, and one of the most ineradicable is the drive to make life more efficient.We invented the wheel, and we never looked back. It was only a few short skips from the first cart to the first spaceship. No wonder we have embraced the silicon chip. Even in the staid environment of the business school, technology is per- With its support, BizEd readers can visit www.resourcecenter.com/digital/bized to download this issue in a searchable digital format. In addition, BusinessWeek has offered our readers access to the current issue of BusinessWeek Digital. But we don't mean to imply that change only blows around the corner on the forming its inevitable magic. In this issue of BizEd, we look at how the advent of the Internet and the availability of digital media have changed the delivery of courses and case studies in the classroom.We also examine the way business schools are usingWeb sites and other electronic communications to promote themselves to potential students, alumni, donors, and other stakeholders. BizEd itself is not immune to the sweeping effects of technological change. With this issue we offer a digital experiment in partnership with BusinessWeek. back of a silicon wind. Change can be just as powerful, and just as transformative, when it's built around a radical rethinking of culture and environment. Ricardo Semler has discovered the power of change. He's the unconventional CEO of Brazil's Semco Inc., which he totally overhauled in the 1980s to create a corpora- tion of complete employee empowerment. He offers his insights on a different— and, he thinks, better—way to do business in "The Maverick CEO." I have to say, I've never liked change for change's sake any more than I like technology for technology's sake. But I loved Semler's autobiographical book, Maverick, which recounts the slow and often painful process of remaking Semco. And I love my computer, which enabled me to make my first contact with him via e-mail. As is so often the case, technology and change have come together with a blissful synergy. I expect they will continue their dance of ter- ror, transformation, and delight for all the rest of my days.■ z 6 BizEd JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2004 BILL BASCOM