It seems that Google is facing an unavoidable decision this week regarding an IPO. Either they will stay private and be faced with a much larger headache than they have been used to, having to file public records as if a traded company, or will go public and actually be beholden to shareholders looking for quarterly investment returns. With an exodus of wealthy employees ó a lot of core intellectual capital ó and perhaps the loss of further benefits such as the four days of work and one of pet project pursuit, I’m afraid the environment that has been part of the creation of their world-class technology will come to an end. They don’t conform, after all, and Wall Street-types are not known for tolerating unorthodox approaches to business management.
And if management changes, whaddaya bet that the home page becomes as littered as all the others?
I apologize for being the pessimist today.
You’re not the only one who’s depressed by the possibility. There is so much to be depressed about; at least one could be happy about Google. And now — ?
On the upside: suits couldn’t destroy Ben & Jerry’s, so maybe there’s hope.
Besides, Google has been profitable for three years already. I hope that even the most avaricious suits would realize that you don’t meddle with success.