The fundamentals of business never lie. Have a bad strategy and a leadership team devoid of sound ideas in a tough market and, well, things go poorly.
Once upon a time I wrote about Yahoo’s major problems (see post, link here: Post – Ya-Who?), the last time we checked in the old leadership team had just been thrown out, and the founder, Jerry Yang, had just returned to save the company. The key question no one really asked why Jerry had left the first time?
So, without much further ado, the next chapter: Hey Microsoft, How ’bout We Do That First Deal You Offered?
Our pluckly band of Yahooigans, those who are left damn the shareholders let’s keep this ship moving directors have encountered not only competition, but also other companies who wish to use the Yahoo brand for something more than vesting. And, like the second Star Wars (that’s number 5), the dark side seems to be winning but not because the good guys are barely loosing. From the looks of things, the good guys haven’t figured out how to use their light sabers, or really understand what they’re for (the light saber, but their role on the board may work here too).
So what happens next?
A) Microsoft waits for the stock to drop further and launches a final bid days before the stock-holders meeting
B) Facebook purchases the company helping it round out its product offering
C) Time Warner decides to complete their set of 90’s hotties, but now virtually worthless web properties in a new firm called, The Walking Dead-AOL-Yawhoo?!
E) Ruppert and News show up purchase Yahoo helping it finally realize its dream of content
F) Or, our final choice the private equity guys come in with the cash to buy the firm, fire the leadership team, renew talks with MSFT and finish this deal
The saga continues …
