Google Striking Fear into the Corporate Masses

SpectralDesign writes "The New York Times reports that Google is striking fear into the hearts of even unrelated industries. From the article: 'We watch Google very closely at Wal-Mart," said Jim Breyer, a member of Wal-Mart's board. In Google, Wal-Mart sees both a technology pioneer and the seed of a threat, said Mr. Breyer, who is also a partner in a venture capital firm. The worry is that by making information available everywhere, Google might soon be able to tell Wal-Mart shoppers if better bargains are available nearby.'"

Comments

We are the knights that say...

[thrill12]

nnnnnGoogle ! nnnnGoogle!

Now get me some shrubberies...

Re:We are the knights that say...

[slavemowgli]

I think the phrase you're looking for is "Iä! Iä! Shub-NigGoogle!"

Better than Wal-Mart

[Sacarino]

Hell, I can tell you a better place to buy crap than Wally World... It's called Costco.

They don't treat their employees like EA coders, and you can still buy cheap.

I didn't even need Google for that.

Better prices Always...

[subitophoto]

Is Walmart supposed to have the better prices... Always ;)

Sad

[chrisgeleven]

Oh the horror, someone telling me that I might get a better price somewhere else!!!

Goness Me

[segedunum]

Google might soon be able to tell Wal-Mart shoppers if better bargains are available nearby.

Heaven forbid anyone should find out that kind of information!

Re:wow!

[Troed]

Most electronics stores in Sweden have the same policy. A few years ago one of them (Elgiganten) even offered 200% on the difference. They stopped with it after serious abuse when Microsoft went out and said "in 20 days time we'll lower the Xbox price with 50%". I have more than a few friends who got their boxes for free using the 200% payback that way ...

So, if Google is a threat, then WalMart must also:

[torpor]

start competing with FedEx.

I feel so dirty!

[Inoshiro]

"Sometime in the future a cute little elephant will teach the next generation how to hate -- and whom to hate"

Why must the cute little elephant be so mean? :(

It's called Froggle

[AngryNick]

Wal-Mart's fears are very close to reality. It doesn't take an MBA to figure out that:

maps.google.com + froggle.google.com = "She's a witch!"

Wal-Mart should look forward to this day...or do they not really have the lowest prices?

Sounds a lot like capitalism.. and mafia

[sl4shd0rk]

(fade in, dimly lit alley in back of walmart. 2am. Near dumpster)

Don Casalano: "Vinne, I'm glad you could meet wit' me at dis hour. we need too doo sumtin about dis.. ah, shall we say, dis 'discouragement' - dis..goooooo-gull"

Vinne: "You got it Don Casalano. Any'ting you say - you want meeta' whack um?"

Don Casalano: "Not yet Vinnie. First we send him a message. A short but to-da-point message. A message dat says stop interferin' in our biznizz. We don't need no help rollin' back da prices."

Vinne: "Wit all due respect Don Casalano, we aint had to send nobody dat message since Jimmie da Whip cut dat deal with Microsoft when we was sellin' them plain wrappa linux box--"

Don Casalano: "Vinnie, you're a sma't boy but don't get too sma't. Dis goooo-gul is irritatin' me like a boil in da crack'a my ass. If dey are gonna play, dey are gonna pay - now you go deliva dat message. I gotta call dis Ballma' guy back and see how his meetin' went.. I wonder if he t'rew da cha'ir like I told im to..."

Re:I think Nike, Reebok etc. have more to fear

[utexaspunk]

Man. Talk about an annoying way to make your point. Next time, just skip the "Quiz" "Tick Tock" crap and make your point already.

Re:Healthcare

[radarsat1]

One thing I never understood about this whole thing is why do workers feel the need to strike and unionise? If I were working at a job where I felt undervalued, I wouldn't do any of the above... too much work! I'd just find another job...

I'm not saying this to be mean, but I've just never understood the need to strike. I mean, don't like the job? Find another one!

(Yes, sometimes that's easier said than done, but putting in the legwork of finding another job is a better way to use your energy in the meantime, no?)

If enough employees quit, the corporation would get the picture... but instead all the see is a "bunch of ungrateful fools"..

I feel threatened by Google, too...

[Hosiah]

With Google, readers could search for other comments more insightful/informative than mine. Then those other comments would get the mod points instead. Who needs all that competition?