Yahoo and Microsoft sitting in a tree... What kind of baby will they make?

Microsoft and Yahoo.. Finally!

I know it is a "partnership" but that is better than nothing and may be useful for both companies in shaping their strategic planning (something that many companies forget to do)

Microsoft has been running around trying to figure out how to stop their product share from dropping and even plans on opening stores (Microsoft products are not sexy enough to attract women and men already have all the technology stores they can handle)

On the other hand, Yahoo started figuring out what direction to take. I guess when you don't have too much left to lose, you are willing to start taking some chances or take on some partners.

Yahoo purchases xoopit

According to Reuters, Yahoo purchased Xoopit.

Why does that interest me? Well, Yahoo has been floundering around for a few years trying to figure out what it should be doing, what exactly it is. They have been running behind everybody else straggling into each category at the tail end. Now, they seem to have started to look at who uses Yahoo and what they can do to keep those users.

Who uses Yahoo? Women use Yahoo. (Lots of women) 500k women are using the following Yahoo Group:


One of the publishers that I talked to said that a women's magazine was their most popular magazine ...a cross stitch magazine. Popular means profitable and that is what every company is trying to do... be profitable.

Yahoo is buying products (Intentionally?) that help women who use yahoo. Are they finally focusing on women and working to keep them loyal users of Yahoo?

Social Networking in the Workplace Increases Efficiency

Here is a recent statement from AT&T about Social Networking. I used data from this survey for my recent article about Serena's use of Facebook.

Dallas, Texas, November 11, 2008 From AT&T's corporate Website:

London, 11 November 2008 — AT&T Inc (NYSE: T) announced that the use of social networking tools as part of everyday working life has led to an increase in efficiency, according to an independent market report released by AT&T. The pan-European survey of more than 2,500 people in five countries, conducted by Dynamic Markets, shows that of those employees using social networking tools in the workplace, 65% say that it has made them and/or their colleagues more efficient. In addition, 46% say that it has sparked ideas and creativity for them personally.

The top 5 social networking tools being used by organisations across Europe are:

1. Companies' own collaboration sites on intranets (39%)
2. Internal forums within the company (20%)
3. Company-produced video material shared on intranets (16%)
4. Online social networks, like LinkedIn, Facebook etc (15%)
5. External collaboration sites on the web and internal blogging sites (both 11%)

The study shows that 65% of employees surveyed in Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands say that their company has adopted social networking as part of their working culture. The research also reveals that the rate of adoption is most popular in Germany, leading the way at 72% while Great Britain lags behind with 59%.

The independent market research was commissioned by AT&T in order to gain a greater understanding of how organisations are currently using social networking technologies. The company has published a white paper entitled “The Business Impacts of Social Networking” which outlines the challenges organisations face when taking advantage of new technologies that will benefit their business.

When asked, 74% of European employees think there are benefits to using social networks and online communities in the workplace. Increasing an individual's knowledge and giving access to solutions to problems (both 38%) were the two main benefits highlighted. Harnessing the collective knowledge of employees, customers and suppliers (36%) and stimulating team building and better internal collaboration (32%) were also mentioned by those employees who have first-hand experience of using social networks at work on a daily basis.

In contrast, the research also highlights a number of challenges, with the two main negatives being that social networks are a distraction to employees (49%) and a source of company leaks of confidential information (45%). In addition, 24% of employees admit they are not sure how the return on investment (ROI) of internal sites could ever be measured.

"The change is sociological rather than technological, thus is will be difficult to justify with traditional ROI models", says Martin Silman, executive director at AT&T. "Social networking is changing the way corporations communicate and if the corporate vision incorporates and builds upon the move to social networking and web 2.0, then the key performance indicators will easily follow."

"The research shows that there is a clear trend across Europe for business users to embrace the benefits of 'web 2.0' technology to underpin collaboration, improve productivity and embrace business efficiency. It is clear that CIO's and their colleagues need to think about the implications this has for their own internal networking strategy and ensure that they are equipped to make the most of the opportunities created by social networking."

YANG- YAHOO CEO RESIGNS

Finally!

The sad thing is he killed the Microsoft deal, the stocks plummeted and employees bailed... what kind of legacy is that to leave behind. Like some of the older sports stars, he should have left when he was on top.

As I have been saying for years, Yahoo struggles with its identity and understanding what it is but this weekend I found their business section and happily signed on for a business webpage and store... If they focus this product for the female entrepreneur, I think they have something exciting happening...

In Germany most of the entrepreneurs are women.. most of them are ignored and most of them need services like Yahoo business... Just like Nintendo, being at the bottom might actually help Yahoo leap ahead of the pack.

Look What I Found - A Nokia E71 That Looks Smashing

A few months ago, I dropped my Nokia N95 and the back fell off. My mobile phone is my only phone and this injury was serious. I needed the phone and didn’t want to give it to the Nokia repair center and be without a phone. First, I tried using a hair tie to keep the phone together but the back kept slipping out underneath the rubberband and my phone would turn off. Finally I decided to use a bandage to keep the phone together. Since the injury, my phone has looked like this:

Although it didn’t bother me to have my phone look like this, it bothered other people enough that I got this phone today:

So far it is working (I got my first text message) and I will be writing about my new phone as I get used to it. Why did I decide to get the Nokia E71 instead of the Apple iphone? The camera. I just didn’t want to be without a camera!

Pepsi Blames the Economy, High Gas Prices and Eating Healthy for their Problems

Pepsi is cutting jobs. I don't drink Pepsi so I don't really care but I found their justification puzzling. This should be a great time for the snack company! Yes, people may have lost equity in their homes and they may have to buy expensive gas but that is not going to stop them from snacking. That is an American hobby. I agree that people may not buy the 2 dollar soda at the gas station but they will just take it with them when they leave the house. Also, since people are unable to go out for entertainment, they will stay home, snack and watch movies, play boardgames or their Wiis.

Pepsi also says they are going to revamp their lines.. repackage them....

What I learned so far from interviewing thought leaders is that you need to concentrate on your core business and brands when things get tough.. not make new products necessarily but focus on your strengths and get rid of things that are not making enough money, are not adding to your brand.

Yes, laying off workers may seem like a good idea but when your product is water with chemicals added into it, or comfort foods.. the last thing you should be doing is cutting out your marketing.. that is where you are getting your consumers attention..

FOCUS that energy and money on your core products...

Hearst Closing Cosmo Girl

Earlier I was writing about Cosmo magazine being in trouble because of the type of advertising in the magazine but it looks like Hearst is already having difficulties and closing their teen version of cosmo