Rosabeth Moss Kanter's latest book, Evolve!, is exuberant, upbeat and to the Australian eye, a touch too evangelical. At its worst, there is the option of an Executive Summary presented as corny song lyrics!!

But, Evolve! is also thoroughly researched, well-presented and most importantly, delivers new insights and substantial guidance for corporations to become change masters in the face of truly revolutionary transformations brought about by digital technology and e-business.

Rosabeth Moss Kanter grounds the book in realism. Both successes and failures are presented and cases where the jury is still out. Consequently, unlike many other analysts of the pace and scope of e-business change, she understands that we must learn from previous experiences of innovation.

The book charts the nature and challenges of adopting "e-culture" in an organisation. It is informed by detailed contemporary corporate examples, bird's eye view commentaries from those involved and Harvard-style disciplines and expertise that brings Kanter to her interpretations and expositions of best practice.

Here are lessons for Australia's traditional corporations, as well as new high tech ventures.

It is not enough to base a business on clever cool technology, youthful staff and the trappings of open plan offices, casual clothes and music in the workplace.

Rather, it is about fundamental change to business models that genuinely adds and sustains new value for customers. This means mastery of technology to create new offerings and innovations that change the "genetic code" of the enterprise. It means a constant customer focus; adaptability and experimentation; a premium on partnerships, collaboration and alliances; and professionally run organisations that inspire and hold talented people.

To capture the benefits of e-business seems to be less about meeting the technological challenge, and more about proficiency in human relationships. Case study after case study illustrates themes like: leadership through the power of ideas; persuasion to build support and neutralise opposition; nurturing multiple and complex strategic partnerships and effective working teams; and achieving outrageous targets by fostering creativity, improvisation and flexibility.

Rosabeth Moss Kanter sums this up in the intriguing idea that tomorrow's successful corporations will not be hierarchical ordered bureaucracies, but will resemble open, inclusive, slightly chaotic communities of purpose, where people have shared understandings, things in common and good grapevines. Now, there's a stretch target for the average captain of industry!