Clothes and cars make the executive.

Are you an e-leader or a traditional business executive? You may think this is determined by the company you work for but, according to a survey from KPMG Consulting, the way you dress and what you drive matters more than anything as mundane as your day job. Age may playa part, but only a small one. The average age of a dotcom entrepreneur is 38, while the traditional business executive is about 46. And all respondents agreed they worked too hard -- of the dotcom leaders, 22 per cent put in more than 71 hours a week and 12 per cent of traditional directors worked similar hours. The biggest difference is that traditional bosses are more likely to take all their holiday. Oh, and dotcom leaders never travel first class and rarely travel business class, compared with 73 per cent of traditional executives who like to travel in style. So, if you want to network with e-leaders, stick to economy.

The typical dotcom executive: is 38 years old; prefers casual clothes; is twice as likely to be left-handed or ambidextrous; is more likely to have had a private education; is less likely to have a degree; is a workaholic -- they work long hours and rarely go out; takes risks; has a background in marketing or IT; admires Richard Branson; wants an AudiTT; dreams of being a pilot; aims to retire early.

The typical traditional executive: is 46; wears a suit; is likely to have been to grammar school; probably has a degree; has a background in finance; relies on personal ability; works traditional hours; travels often (and in comfort); admires Bill Gates; would love a Jaguar XK8; dreams of being a doctor or novelist; and plans to retire at 6 5.