Is the Desktop Really Dying?

By Mark Evans in Google, Microsoft, Uncategorized 5 Comments Tags: , ,

Everything is going into the cloud. Or is it?

If you listen to Google, the Web browser is becoming everything when it comes to how people use their computers. With the Chrome OS hitting the market soon, Google is ramping up its efforts to convince consumers that the need for desktop applications is disappearing because anything you want to do with a computer can happen online. This quote from Linus Upson, Google’s v.p. of engineering, makes this belief clear as a bell:

“Everything’s happening on the Web. All of the companies and all of the services that people are using — Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, eBay — all of the applications and services that people are using are Web-based. The desktop ecosystem has basically stopped.”

If you’re Google, this is a no-brainer approach given the major growth of the Chrome browser and Google’s the number of online services such as Google Docs, Picasa, Google Calendar and GMail. In the Google world, there are fewer reasons to use desktop applications and, of course, reduced need for Microsoft’s operating system.

The question is whether the desktop is actually dying amid the tsumani of cloud computing. As more applications going to be online will there be little use for desktop applications, or has the enthusiasm about cloud computing become over-heated and frothy?

There is little doubt that cloud computing is becoming more common but I don’t think it means desktop applications are going to disappear.

There may, in fact, be some users who can and will rely exclusively on online services but, at the same time, there will be many people who will continue to rely on using software that is off the grid. Yes, Virginia, there are people who aren’t online all the time and/or don’t want to use an application that stores all their data in the cloud.

Personally, I continue to use desktop applications. This includes Microsoft Office, Tweetdeck, DayLite, iTunes and 1Password. At the same time, I’m an enthusiastic user of Google Docs, GMail, Dropbox and WordPress.

What it means is I marry the best of what both worlds – the cloud and the desktop – have to offer. For some activities such as working with clients, cloud computing makes a lot of sense. For other activities, a desktop application works really well. It’s just a matter of picking the right application for the right job.

Are you still using desktop applications? Could use see giving them up completely?

Why Multi-Billion Dollar Deals Are Rejected

By Mark Evans in Google, M&A No Comments Tags: , , ,

The Web was abuzz last week amid news that Groupon apparently dismissed a $5.3-billion offer from Google. That’s an awful lot of cabbage for a two-year-old company that has taken the world by storm and, in the process, attracted a slew of competition.

While Groupon hasn’t said anything, the speculation is it’s either holding out for a better offer, going to raise some more venture capital to continue its explosive growth, or intent on doing an IPO next year.

The other scenario is Groupon’s founders aren’t ready to sell. With explosive growth, it must be a thrilling and fascinating time to be at the helm. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride a tremendous wave to see how far it can go. Why bail just when things are getting really, really interesting?

This is the approach embraced by Mark Zuckerberg, who has maintained control of Facebook despite offers that would make him an instant billionaire. At some point, Zuckerberg is going to take the money and run, but there’s no need to do it while he’s still enjoying the experience of running a company taking the world by storm.

While there are, of course, pressures from investors who want to realize a major return on their investment, entrepreneurs have a different on the world. Whether they make $1-billion or $2-billion or even $100-million, they’ll be rich beyond their wildest dreams. To them, it becomes something that is not about the money; it’s more about the experience and the excitement of being at the right place at the right time, and basking in the spotlight that comes along with it.

Once someone sells a business, the party is over. Sure, an entrepreneur can stick around for a a couple of years to manage the transition or complete an earn-out agreement. At some point, however, most entrepreneurs get told to take a hike, or they decide to leave because being the head of a corporate unit isn’t what they like doing.

While many entrepreneurs may go on to another success ventures, very few of them ever get to enjoy the same thrill that comes with starting and running a mega-success. It’s a magical and magical existence that you don’t want to end because it’s so exciting and fun. If they can pull it off, some entrepreneurs want the ride to last rather than simply taking the highest bid.

Let’s see how long Groupon can hold out and, at the same time, hold on to their dreams.

Why PR Still Doesn’t Get Bloggers

By Mark Evans in Media 7 Comments Tags: , ,

Riddle me this: It’s been at least four years since blogging burst into the mainstream to become a new and viable way to generate and consume content. Many of the world’s most popular online destinations are blogs.

So why is it that some PR firms still have no clue how to approach bloggers? I have noticed a strange inability to recognize that bloggers have particular interests, different approaches and particular styles – just like traditional media.

Here’s a classic example of how not to approach a blogger – an e-mail I received from someone who works for a large PR firm.

Hi there –

Please see below for the release from XXX announcing the newest addition to their XXX family of products, the XXX. The XXX is one of the thinnest and lightest ultraportable laptops available; it is ideal for the on-the-go entrepreneurs who are looking for durability, security and functionality in a package that will turn heads. The XXX is available today on XXX.ca, starting at $449.

If have any questions about this, or any product in XXX’s line-up, or you would like to speak with someone about this release, please let us know.

Thank you.

First mistake: A lack of personalization. How difficult could it be to write “Hi, Mark”.

Second mistake: I don’t write about laptops so sending me a press release about a new one suggests you haven’t done your homework.

Third mistake: Even if I did write about laptops, what’s the angle other than this particular model is new? Why would I be interested in learning more?

As they say in baseball, three strikes and you’re out.

What puzzles me is many PR firms have “rap sheets” about reporters – their likes, dislikes, when they like to be contacted, how they like to be contacted, etc. Why wouldn’t they do the same for bloggers? Are bloggers still not seen as equivalent to reporters so not worthy of the same love and attention?

Let’s be clear, there are many PR firms that are excellent at bloggers relations. But when you have a major PR firm sending press releases to bloggers that are unpersonalized press release, there’s something not quite right.

The reality is as traditional newsrooms shrink, there will be fewer reports. As a result, bloggers will become more important. Now is the time to start implementing best practices for blogger relations as opposed to dropping the proverbial ball.

Can We Stop the Social Media BullS#%t Already?

By Mark Evans in Social Media 18 Comments Tags: , ,

Part of my consulting business is helping companies understand social media so they can embrace it in a way that makes sense and, hopefully, helps them grow. My approach is grounded in the belief social media a new and different way to do business but the various services are just tools that complement a communications, marketing and sales arsenal.

It’s one of the reasons why so much of the chatter about social media by social media evangelists, consultants or thought-leaders is so, well, unsettling. For example, I saw this tweet from someone who’s a high-profile social media entrepreneur: “the most important thing a business can give it’s people on twitter is each other.”

While it is probably rooted in a good idea it’s just another example of the bubbly babbling that permeates the landscape. It is language that features words such as “engage”, “conversations”, “relationships” and “community” – words that are used over and over again like a New Age mantra.

It seems that everyone is talking the same mumbo-jumbo rather than talking about why a company should use social media and what they could get out of it – things like more leads and sales.

To be honest, social media has evolved to the point where it’s no longer a novelty, although many people are still trying to get their heads around how or if it should be used. As a result, we need to move beyond the cheerleading/rah-rah stage about how wonderful social media can be and how it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. Social media can be a valuable tool for individuals and companies but maybe it’s time to treat it more seriously rather than continuing to focus on sizzle rather than the steak.

Perhaps I’m sitting a little too close to the fire and, as a result, starting to get burned by the banter. But I can’t be the only one getting tired of being engaged in a conversation about building relationships with communities, right?

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