Which company is New York Times columnist Joe Nocera referring to this morning when he writes: "That's always the way it is when companies get big -- and it is why real innovation always comes from small companies that don’t have a predetermined mind-set, or monopoly profits to protect."
It's Microsoft, now bidding nearly $45 billion to buy Yahoo in a desperate bid to catch up to a company -- Google -- that didn't exist 10 years ago. But as I read Nocera's analysis, I couldn't help but think of Gannett.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
6 comments:
Jim says: "Proceed with caution; this is a free-for-all comment zone. I try to correct or clarify incorrect information. But I can't catch everything. Please keep your posts focused on Gannett and media-related subjects. Note that I occasionally review comments in advance, to reject inappropriate ones. And I ignore hostile posters, and recommend you do, too."
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Jim, If a big company, such as Gannett, did not try a "REAL INNOVATION" such as a daily national newspaper> Then you would not have made a six figure salary, and you would not be writing this blog?
ReplyDelete25 years ago, there WAS real innovation. Do you actually think that USA Today would have a snowball's chance in hell in 2008? Maybe from another company, but not from Gannett.
ReplyDeleteSadly USAT is Gannett's only real innovation in the past 25 years. All it can do now - or call Mr. Dubow cares to do - is buy technology upstarts he hopes will pay off in the long run. And, well, we all know how well Planet Discover is working out. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteOff-topic comment of the day: I love USATODAY (print, not online). I'm a 150% digital person but I think the print edition is a good read late at night after work -- so I actually subscribe, which is really weird. I'm like the only person in my neighborhood who gets a newspaper delivered. I wish that my local newspaper could be just like USAT in content mix (except 30-35% local), tone, appearance and size. Also I wish the format were 11x17 or 13x19 with a few more pages.
ReplyDeleteIt’s sad how negative everyone is!! How long did it take USAT to actually be successful and turn a profit? Most successful companies/investments take years to start turning a profit. So I think it is a little premature to start jumping to conclusions and criticizing Mr. Dubow. He is trying to turn the company around so have a little respect for his efforts. Unless, you all who are so quick to judge have a better idea…
ReplyDeleteThe idea that GCI is a lumbering behemoth when it comes to innovation is a bit of a reach, especially when Google is used as the shining paradigm.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind: Google ain't small anymore. So it will be interesting to see how long it remains "ahead of the curve" or "nimble" or any of the other adjectives used to describe innovative firms.
Frankly, one of the most innovative firms in the world is also one of the oldest and largest -- IBM. One indication: the number of patents the company collects every year.