PK’s Note: GV & High-Technology Companies, 2009
[Business Approach]
# Google’s business strategies:
Google voice (GV) reminds me…
* Remember “gmail”? >>> Invitation first >>> ppl get excited >>> Lead users give feedback (like a rat in the lab) >>> develop it >>> open to the public later >>> now everyone can use, cheer!
[GV is now using this tactic too, I believe.]
* Another tactic: Big picture >>> keep people awake by introducing something new >>> related to the organizational culture >>> which is innovative (encourage employees to think)
* Google >>> attempt to replace the existing systems and acquire many good ideas (e.g. Android OS, Youtube, Sketch up, and so on) >>> 1.kill a new talent / 2.easy to develop
*With T-Mobile, Google >>> failed to beat iPhone but it’s still in the (smart phone) game by focusing on the software platform, Android. // In Asia & Europe >>> monopoly? >>> may end soon after the competitors, such as LG and Motorola join the market (BW)
# Yahoo!’s business strategies:
* Not very strong (just changed CEO too) >>> now trying to survive (tactics: partners + ads) >>>recently partner with Microsoft (only search engine, playing with ads)
*SYSTEM: Yahoo! is different from Google >>> Yahoo! contributes its own contents / Google borrows others (link info back to the web, for example)
# Apple’s business strategies:
*Coming soon: short, clear and simple campaign (same in Thailand) >>> ppl want to find out >>> grand opening!
* Playing with the “Versions” >>> e.g., iPod nano, iPhone G3, and so on >>> this is a common business model in high-technology products, but Apple hits it hard!
*Positioning >>> outside your home (portable device) >>> now got beat by “Google voice” or not; we will see : ) >>> Apple defends, ban GV on iPhone >>> to protect the benefits not only for At&T (e.g., profits from SMS), but in a wider perspective, to protect their own market too!!!
*Product differentiation >>> by design and innovation (look at CEO, see?)
# At&t’s business strategies:
Partnership >>> with Apple (iPhone) to get members (long-term contract) >>> pay Apple per unit sale (e.g., At&t pays $3/unit) >>> iPhone cut the price down below the unit cost (e.g., cost $3, Apple sells $2) >>> Apple still gets the profits from At&t (e.g., $2+$3=$5, profit = $2)
# Microsoft’s business strategies:
>>> I have no idea; they are weak in this area lol (Opps..pls correct me if I’m wrong..haha)
>>> They focus on brand positioning (implement in home & office, not portable)
>>> They did defend though (e.g., when iPhone came) –> to protect their market share >>> leader style?
>>> Negotiating with Yahoo! successfully, expect about 30% in market share (Google 65% now, BW) …still, a long way to go // Why they really want Yahoo? >>> they want to stop Google (MS began with OS Vs. Google began with online service >>> good future is online or offline? >>> they need to connect that!
# Facebook’s business strategies:
* Get money from ads >>> restrict the rules >>> to gain control over the application producers (protect profits) >>> Changing something? >>> set it as a new option first >>> involve users to the process (kind of HCD) >>> switch the options >>> delete the old one
* Facebook’s marketing style playing with the rules a lot :)
# Skype’s business strategies:
*Cheap internet calling might be a very first thing to think of >>> my bro. told me that the calling rate is now cheaper >>> I guess…coz of Google Voice?
*Skype is not on my list in the future
# Sony’s business strategies:
*Sony is out >>> doesn’t have a strong foundation to connect with software developers and online businesses >>> e.g., lost to Amazon on e-book because of the poor database >>> lost to smart phone in mobile phone (R&D is weak) >>> computer & camera might be OK for now, but look carefully to the future… >>> Sony business strategy is to lower the pieces of the end products, but increasing the pieces of components >>> they are tricky (e.g., simply make a new standard for their own products (something longer?), so people have to pay more for that (repeat that again & again in the product lifecycle)) >>> If they still use this tactic…I don’t think they we have a good future (revenue is going down now)
# Amazon’s business strategies:
*Successfully built the online business (e-commerce) >>> and they have been focusing on the online service, customer satisfaction, and supply-chain management for a very long time. >>> That is their comfort zone.
* Kindle (digital book reader) >>> just a new innovation like what Sony did? >>> No >>> Why? >>> I think Amazon has a better reason to jump into this battle >>> Now, it’s a leader in paper book market // In the future, if someone can invent a successful product like e-book, Amazon will lose the market share. >>> To prevent that…Amazon must jump into this game at the beginning of development (it started since a new development of Nano technology, I believe) >>> already got the advantages in the book database and customer loyalty >>> but still have some new competitors >>> Who??? >>> Those who provide a free or cheap download for “Smart phone.” >>> Well…lucky enough that the small screen is still a problem : )
# Nokia’s business strategies:
*Nokia still has a chance to compete, in my opinion. (still on top overall, but…)>>> Now..lost to smart phones >>> Market share in this area is going down / Apple & RIM are going up >>>Anyway, Nokia is still smart enough to know what is the key factor >>> Nowadays, the competition is moving from the physical appearance (e.g., everyone can make a touch screen, and so on) to the platform & software programs inside the phones >>> Businessweek (issue: Aug, 2009) mentions that Nokia 1. Dropped licensing fees for the tools using to create software / 2. Open a global library of applications >>> Result: increase #apps, but still far behind Apple store!
© PK* [Aug.05, 2009]
**p.s. Looking at the big picture, everything is connected.
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