John Chambers, Cisco

productivity gains.

What it means: Companies that transform their businesses to true Internet-based businesses,i.e., ones that leverage networks of networks and deploy applications such as e-learning,produce long-term gains in productivity that compound,not taper off,over time. Furthermore, those that react quickly to economic downturns and mix steep cost cuts with calculated gambles, stand the best chance of achieving significant share.

VARBusiness' View: When the dot-com bubble burst, Chambers reacted more aggressively than most. He made deeper cuts than his peers, and he did it earlier than many. The result? Chambers says his company gained an unprecedented 40-plus percent in market share over its rivals. However, his stock suffers still,it's down roughly 40 percent from its 52-week high in December,and it's not yet clear what impact problems at Qwest and WorldCom,two big customers and resellers,will have on the company. As for the message, selling productivity remains hard. But Chambers' cachet makes it easier.

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