Before most part in Asean knows who McCain or Obama are, Jerry Yang has made his name all over the world, particularly because he is the co-founder of Yahoo, the world’s largest search engine… before Google made their debut in early 90′s. Back then, Yahoo is like Google today. At that time, where I access Internet is only through internet cafe, all was Yahoo, the browser’s home was set to ‘Yahoo’, my email client was Yahoo, and of course my favourite chat tool was Yahoo Messenger (YM).
But the ‘honeymoon’ time is over. Since Google arose from nowhere, everything started to go wrong. The profit is declining, share market is shrinking, and even the employees are leaving, voluntarily or non-voluntarily. And yet, he is still reluctant to let go of the company he founded for a ‘very’ good price 6 months ago. Not blaming Google though, it’s just that Yahoo is lacking a ‘midas touch’ and creativity to turn the table back to its competitor.
Jerry Yang, the comeback CEO, succeeding Terry Semel, strongly oppose the Yahoo acquisition plan by Microsoft early this year. Unsurprisingly, the game changed recently after Google scrapped down advertising agreement with Yahoo. Adding the financial woes, Yahoo shares plummeted 25% from its value 6 months back.
Realising the bad fate ahead, on web 2.0 event, he had openly invited Microsoft to buy Yahoo
“To this day, I have to say that the best thing for Microsoft to do is to buy Yahoo. I don’t think that is a bad idea at all…at the right price, whatever the price is, we are willing to sell the company,”
Like malay saying ‘ibarat menjilat air ludah sendiri‘ (eat back your own words), Jerry has openly ‘invited’ Microsoft to buy Yahoo. But, the there is no ‘love’ on Yahoo anymore for Microsoft. Steve Ballmer immediately shut the speculation down, saying no to Yahoo, even though still mentioned the cooperation on other matters are still possible.
Well Jerry, if I were you, I’d leave Yahoo to a better hand. I know that you’re a fighter, but stepping down won’t make you a looser. I’d rather be a fighter who lets the bunker stretch to another angle.
Personally, I’m still in love with Yahoo, who happened to be my very first email account I ever had and I’m still keeping it till this day. Nonetheless, I’m hoping that Yahoo can survive and march forward.
