watchin it

What Should Jerry Do? My Advice to Yahoo

I really enjoyed the article along with the self deprecation before making a suggestion--but hey we've all got ideas on what is best here.

My only change is that I would "not" suggest that Yahoo buy AOL. AOL's been floundering and it brings no new opportunity for Yahoo. Everyone involved with AOL longs to pass it on and there is a reason. Let AOL go its a concept that has lived its lifespan and must die a natural death.

Yahoo has a lot to offer. It has one of the best email services and a huge amount of users who have selected it to be their home page. In addition, the small business services and website offerings are amazingly well done. My advice is to stick with the big boys and let them come back a courting.

Microsoft could use what Yahoo has built the most. Lets face it, although Microsoft has the desktop it has failed miserably on the internet front. The services Yahoo offers would benefit Microsoft immensely. In my mind Ballmer is no fool--he'll be back. He needs Yahoo. Yahoo would just be an absorption for Google in many ways. Absorption is not a bad thing when you have money to burn and competition to oust but need--need is a whole other animal and Microsoft needs Yahoo.

My advice to Yahoo would be to merge with Mozilla the acquisition or partnership with Firefox would be a huge wake up call to Microsoft. Apple is another great option for Yahoo. A merger with Apple would make Apple a force to be reckoned with across desktops, gain mainstream usage beyond the Iphone. Maybe wake up AT&T to put more money on the table as well. Now that is just the ticket! Seeing Apple get more desktop and moving into more mainstream--even that possibility should send shock waves through Microsoft. If the PC loses it positioning you will really see Ballmer move --perhaps into retirement.

One thing is clear here--this is not over. Its just beginning to get interesting.

Noreen