Comments on: Eric Schmidt’s next act http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2011/01/21/eric-schmidts-next-act/ A slice of lime in the soda Sat, 25 May 2013 16:48:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: KenG_CA http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2011/01/21/eric-schmidts-next-act/comment-page-1/#comment-23623 KenG_CA Mon, 31 Jan 2011 19:30:14 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/?p=7041#comment-23623 John, I wouldn't have a meeting with Diller if I am running google. He is an overrated trader of internet companies, most of which peaked just as he bought them. Many of his companies compete (poorly) with one google service or another, but if I was in a meeting with him, I would look at my android. I'd try to be discreet about it, so as to not insult the guy, but I would bet Diller looks at his Blackberry when he is in meetings. John, I wouldn’t have a meeting with Diller if I am running google. He is an overrated trader of internet companies, most of which peaked just as he bought them. Many of his companies compete (poorly) with one google service or another, but if I was in a meeting with him, I would look at my android. I’d try to be discreet about it, so as to not insult the guy, but I would bet Diller looks at his Blackberry when he is in meetings.

]]> By: johnhhaskell http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2011/01/21/eric-schmidts-next-act/comment-page-1/#comment-23484 johnhhaskell Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:20:06 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/?p=7041#comment-23484 KenG, would you look at your Android while you were supposed to be having a meeting with Barry Diller? KenG, would you look at your Android while you were supposed to be having a meeting with Barry Diller?

]]> By: KenG_CA http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2011/01/21/eric-schmidts-next-act/comment-page-1/#comment-23382 KenG_CA Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:10:13 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/?p=7041#comment-23382 I don't buy it. I think their public explanation for the change makes sense - managing by committee is slow, and it is what has been killing Microsoft. If the 3 guys have to discuss every issue that normally one person gets to decide, it will take much longer, even if they agree, just because they need to find the time to discuss it. What the 3 of them realize is that they are mostly (not completely) in sync, and feel comfortable partitioning tasks amongst the themselves. Page will not need to be the public schmoozer that Schmidt is, that's why Schmidt says he will stay around (I believe him when he says he wants to work with the other two for another ten years). Selling 5% of your incredibly concentrated position in one stock is hardly a sign that an executive is planning on leaving. If you never sell shares that are worth billions, you can't live like a billionaire. Larry and Sergei are selling a similar amount of shares, and they aren't leaving. Schmidt is not your typical CEO - he is a geek who can operate in that mostly politically driven world. I don't sense an outsized ego like most celebrity CEOs have, and I don't think he necessarily would want to start something of "his own", unless it's an idea that doesn't fall within Google's scope (which seems to be pretty broad). Google is not where Microsoft was when Gates left, there is still a lot they can do that Schmidt could be very happy being part of. Most CEOs who leave to start their own thing aren't as smart as Schmidt, but desperately want to prove they are. Schmidt doesn't have to prove that, because his peers in the industry already know it. If you had a an Android Nexus One, you would look at it during meetings, also. Not only do meetings usually suck, but the N1 is one of those great devices that transcend phones and toys. I don’t buy it. I think their public explanation for the change makes sense – managing by committee is slow, and it is what has been killing Microsoft. If the 3 guys have to discuss every issue that normally one person gets to decide, it will take much longer, even if they agree, just because they need to find the time to discuss it. What the 3 of them realize is that they are mostly (not completely) in sync, and feel comfortable partitioning tasks amongst the themselves. Page will not need to be the public schmoozer that Schmidt is, that’s why Schmidt says he will stay around (I believe him when he says he wants to work with the other two for another ten years).

Selling 5% of your incredibly concentrated position in one stock is hardly a sign that an executive is planning on leaving. If you never sell shares that are worth billions, you can’t live like a billionaire. Larry and Sergei are selling a similar amount of shares, and they aren’t leaving.

Schmidt is not your typical CEO – he is a geek who can operate in that mostly politically driven world. I don’t sense an outsized ego like most celebrity CEOs have, and I don’t think he necessarily would want to start something of “his own”, unless it’s an idea that doesn’t fall within Google’s scope (which seems to be pretty broad). Google is not where Microsoft was when Gates left, there is still a lot they can do that Schmidt could be very happy being part of. Most CEOs who leave to start their own thing aren’t as smart as Schmidt, but desperately want to prove they are. Schmidt doesn’t have to prove that, because his peers in the industry already know it.

If you had a an Android Nexus One, you would look at it during meetings, also. Not only do meetings usually suck, but the N1 is one of those great devices that transcend phones and toys.

]]>