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I got this book when I joined eBay in 2005 as an employee. This was one of the goodies you receive during the orientation programme. Unfortunately this book was stacked on my bookshelf for almost 1.5 years till I managed to lay my hands on it. Even though I have almost worked for 2 years at eBay, I should say that I knew only about 5% of its history. Amazing facts on a company that started out as somebody's hobby and now is sole income provider for more than 500,000 families in the US alone. There was one particular aspect I liked about the book. Adam Cohen mentions that Pierre was this kind of a guy who never liked to splash around money just because he had a lot of it. When I joined eBay, I always thought as to why the company had this miserly attitude when it came to giving away goodies or other stuff to the employees. But after reading the book, it gives me a lot of perspective on Pierre's philosophy and I think its really cool. Ofcourse it wasnt about money that I joined eBay for. Infact when I got the eBay offer, I had 8 other offers and eBay was one of the lowest paying offer in terms of salary compensation. But what I liked about the company was its culture and simplistic attitude and I dont have regrets taking this offer. Lot of amazing facts so go ahead and read this one if you already haven't.Read full review
Synopsis Pierre Omidyar's attempts to create The Perfect Store began in 1995, and eBay quickly grew from a Beanie Baby clearinghouse to the most successful e-commerce site in history. Journalist Adam Cohen now reveals the inside story behind eBay's meteoric rise in the often precarious Internet landscape. Given more access to eBay employees, including CEO Meg Whitman, than any previous reporter, Cohen expertly explores not only the eBay culture and corporate history, but the legendary community that grew up around it, and that is largely responsible for its success. This corporate biography tells the story behind the phenomenally successful Internet auction site ebay--its origins and how it revolutionized e-commerce. This corporate biography tells the story behind the phenomenally successful Internet auction site ebay--its origins and how it revolutionized e-commerce. A New York Times Notable Book for 2002. I really liked this book. I avoided ebay for the first 9 years, when the bug hit I was looking for any information that would help educate me about eBay and x. Most of it is truthful and many parts of it have a corporate spin on it, you won't find another book like it, because the author worked within the parameters allowed by the corporation, Cohen is one of the few journalists ever allowed inside eBay. You will find out that the story about Pierre creating eBay so his love could trade Pez dispensers is an absolute fabrication by ebay's PR department. You will find out how and why ebay only feared one competitor: x My favorites are "Pinkhammer" who later became an eBay voices member. Employees having to put their own desks and chairs together. Mike Wilson and Skippy who was later fired by the CEO. How uncle Griff started from meager beginings and later became the eBay Dean of Education. There are many, many more stories and subplots in this book. It's a must have for any powerseller. Pierre's perfect store concept was actually borne of the financial marketplace and not actually the trading of goods and services. I think Pierre's original vision was that people would trade money, stock and bonds. Pierre did well though and brought those in that developed what was then x into ebay. I think Pierre is now working on the perfect bank. Although this book is old in internet time, I think it should be mandatory reading for new eBay and x employee's.Read full review
This book offers insight into eBay from its very humble beginnings. Interesting read
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Ebay's story is amazing, and Mr. Cohen's enthusiasm carries you along.... His prose is as brisk and cheerful as the red gold exetra of the famous ebay logo. A detailed and intelligent case study of a company that broke just about all the rules of business and succeeded beyond anyones imagination. In this brisk endaging chronicle of the most stunning success stories in Amarican business history. Adam Cohen takes you inside ebay the corpration as well as into the communtiy of ebay's passionat users. His book reveals the many suprising ways in which ebay's virtual marketplace has indelibly changed not only the face of Amarican business but the cultural ladscape of the 21 centruy. This book was A+++++++++++++++++ about ebay's history and I recomened any ebay fan to read this book. It is a very wonderful read! Hope this was good infromation on this book. Thanks: the ebay queenRead full review
I purchased "The Perfect Store, Inside eBay" to have a better understanding of a company located in my backyard. I had a desire to gain an understanding of a culture that has shaped the buying and selling habits of so many around the world. I love that the book was written to illustrate how an concept, a passion, when followed through can connect so many others who find their passion in life. Adam Cohen's ability to capture the story and put it on paper brought me into the process with a front row seat as the company founder Pierre Omidyar took his intial concept and started his quest of building and handing off eBay to Meg Whitman one of America's greatest companies. eBay has achieved what no other company before it has...they brought together through their culture - they developed a community that is a win win for all. As an entrepreneur starting my own businesses from concept and selling them off I would be honored to work for eBay after reading this book. I highly recommend anyone wanting to pursue a passion to read The Perfect Store, Inside eBay.Read full review
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