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Google's DNA

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the bioengineered-for-the-win dept.

bart_scriv writes "Businessweek confronts Google naysayers with an analysis of the company's business structure, arguing that its unique structure lends it the flexibility to adapt to any and all markets: 'Google is actually the first company with a brand that is built entirely on stem cells: able to grow and develop into whatever form it sees fit.' The article predicts significant changes for the company in communications, hardware, entertainment and localization and goes on to argue that Google is on the verge of achieving the holy grail of branding--being all things to all markets."

5 of 171 comments (clear)

  1. Yes, sure... by StevenHenderson · · Score: 4, Insightful
    a brand that is built entirely on stem cells...

    But don't stem cells become static and defined after some time? I hate to say it, but I think the innovation well will dry up eventually.

  2. Re:Good God by bhirsch · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I would not count Yahoo as a disappointment, the market just corrected for their being overvalued. The same thing will likely happen to Google. My point is, I don't think they will crash and burn like most did, but rather settle down to be on par with Yahoo.

    Many people will likely lose their shirts on Google stock, but I have no sympathy for people who should've learned before how dangerous it is to look at an overvalued stock as a long-term stable investment.

  3. It ain't BusinessWeek's opinion... by Jivha · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...the article is written by Gabriel Stricker from BrandChannel. The tone seems to be a typical marketing/branding kind - lots of high-sounding assertions and phrases, and very few solid justifications for the same.

    For instance, check this sentence: "Google is actually the first company with a brand that is built entirely of stem cells: able to grow and develop into whatever form it sees fit."

    Huh? World's first company? Built entirely of stem cells? Into whatever it sees fit?

    What is this guy smoking?

    Google's decision to branch into many unrelated/related ideas is not due to any stem cells or mitochondria, but simply because it has enough money and talent to do so. More importantly, the stock market that usually punishes companies for expanding too fast/too much still seems to be in awe of Google.

    Imagine Microsoft deciding to enter into server harware, or Sun into smartphones, or Dell into online dating! But when Google does it, its suddenly "stem cells" in action!

  4. Hmmm by Wellington+Grey · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Google is on the verge of achieving the holy grail of branding--being all things to all markets.

    The fastest and surest was to displease everyone is to try and please everyone.

    -Grey

    --
    Silver Clipboard: Time Management Tips
  5. Confused Author by eander315 · · Score: 4, Insightful
    The author was obviously not a Biology major. They've based their whole article on a mixed metaphor:

    "What naysayers don't understand is that the DNA of the Google brand is unlike anything ever seen in the modern market landscape. Google is actually the first company with a brand that is built entirely of stem cells: able to grow and develop into whatever form it sees fit."

    I'm not really sure what DNA has to do with stem cells in this sense. The first sentence implies we're going to hear about Google's "parents", perhaps the companies the employees worked at before coming to Google. The following sentence about stem cells is comlpetely unrelated, as DNA isn't really what makes stem cells interesting, especially not in this case.

    I know it's kind of nitpicky, but frankly it's annoying to see this kind of stuff when the audience is relatively scientifically well-versed, at least compared to the general public.