Do you have what it takes to be an e‐manager?

What does it take for an executive to manage effectively in the new economy? While the explosion of Internet‐centered business has produced an unrelenting focus on e‐commerce strategies, new business models, and processes, surprisingly little attention has been paid to how e‐business is changing the competencies needed to manage effectively in this new business environment. The authors describe the findings of research by the Accenture Institute for Strategic Change to discover the unique competencies that managers need to excel in the new economy. While some management competencies have changed little, research shows that e‐managers need to develop new or stronger competencies in six key areas: fast decision making; partnering; knowing the technology; staying focused in spite of information overload; making sense of the future; and attracting and retaining talent.