What is next in the short term for facebook? In july, 2009 there were 250 million users, today after only one year, Facebook claims having a 400 million people network. What can we expect for the next two years?
Facebook is considered the second page with more traffic users all over the world and what it began by being a student network it has spread to every type of social group. How fast and how far can it still growing if we consider the current worldwide population and considering they decided to not get in to the China Market. I believe their growth rate might slow but will be still growing according to the growth of internet users in the world. Internet has become a first choice network of every internet user because of its size and because it is becoming a day to day experience to communicate this way with others.
Although their great number of users, Facebook faces the challenge to establish clear rules and conditions about privacy. Recently it has been questioned about the lack of security in the use of our information and legally speaking has been questioned for the copyright policy that it try to change.
From a financial or business point of view, Facebook faces the challenge is this next two years to demonstrate how profitable its business model can be. For the last two years it has been the target of serious doubts and criticism because of its lack of profitabilities. With no doubt, I believe that during this next couple of years Facebook will show its business muscle and that will use every tool and information piece to develop a great platform for advertising and marketing services. Any kind of advertising network would want a 400 million captive consumer client. Facebook beside having a captive client has its profile and a lot of information that it will use in order to sell more efficient marketing services. There had been some previous experiences with I Tunes and in the short term I expect to see and explosion of synergies with all kinds of companies that will use Facebook platform to advertise their products. Honestly I think it will become a great competitor of google in the advertising sector with probably more tools to talk directly to the client. Sidebusiness like games will continue to grow and will also continue to be a source of revenue, although its more important one will definitely be advertisement and a tool like facebook connect will help it to consolidate more external or outside facebook information about the user.
martes, 8 de junio de 2010
lunes, 31 de mayo de 2010
Google, one of the top 3 media tech companies all over the world might become victim of its own success; At this point federal courts in the U.S. and courts of the EU are studying potential antitrust policies that Google might be applying. Additionally with the new U.S. regulation Google might be forced to be divided into different companies and no matter its great cash liquidity will also be limited to buy new media tech companies. In concrete one of Google´s main concern is that its growth will be under scrutiny and will be slowed down.
Another important concern about Google has just come to the light during its conflict with the China government. Due to Government pressure Google might not be able to operate its search platform and in that case will be left out of the Market because its lack of infrastructure to distribute and sell its other products. On the contrary Microsoft will have less problems dealing with China market thanks to its current infrastructure developed over the last years.
As a response to this last concern some people are wondering about Google´s vulnerability. Google is being questioned about its great dependence on media advertisement. Google´s dependence on their search platform could face many challenges in case there is a new breakthrough in technology or once new advertisement tools like movil phones become more efficient to marketing campaigns.
About Google products, Android, Google Desktop 3 and Google Books will face serial challenges. Android most important disadvantage is that because it is applied on different phone platforms, new tools and updates of Android might be difficult to be installed in all kinds of movil phones. An important disadvantage for Google Desktop 3 is that one important part of the market, specifically Companies have been advice not to load their hole information on Google server because of confidentiality and efficiency risks. Finally, the concern about Google Books is mainly the legal uncertainty about author copyright data that at this point is not clear.
I believe that although its popularity and the size of the company, Google has to face these challenges promptly and be aware of network competitors like facebook which are gaining huge advertising markets and developing tools that might jeopardize Google hegemony in the future.
Another important concern about Google has just come to the light during its conflict with the China government. Due to Government pressure Google might not be able to operate its search platform and in that case will be left out of the Market because its lack of infrastructure to distribute and sell its other products. On the contrary Microsoft will have less problems dealing with China market thanks to its current infrastructure developed over the last years.
As a response to this last concern some people are wondering about Google´s vulnerability. Google is being questioned about its great dependence on media advertisement. Google´s dependence on their search platform could face many challenges in case there is a new breakthrough in technology or once new advertisement tools like movil phones become more efficient to marketing campaigns.
About Google products, Android, Google Desktop 3 and Google Books will face serial challenges. Android most important disadvantage is that because it is applied on different phone platforms, new tools and updates of Android might be difficult to be installed in all kinds of movil phones. An important disadvantage for Google Desktop 3 is that one important part of the market, specifically Companies have been advice not to load their hole information on Google server because of confidentiality and efficiency risks. Finally, the concern about Google Books is mainly the legal uncertainty about author copyright data that at this point is not clear.
I believe that although its popularity and the size of the company, Google has to face these challenges promptly and be aware of network competitors like facebook which are gaining huge advertising markets and developing tools that might jeopardize Google hegemony in the future.
lunes, 24 de mayo de 2010
Microsoft in jeopardy? Don´t think so...
Ten years ago Microsoft was declared to be a Monopoly by a U.S. Court*. Today the most powerful company that provides software, internet and computer services and solutions is being questioned about its future; will it survive or will it disappear? Personally, I do not see how a company like this can go bankruptcy nor lose its predominant influence as a software and media company. I am aware that because of the fast grow of its competitors their challenge is to be able to keep growing or at least to maintain their current dominant market.
According to Forbes (http://finapps.forbes.com/finapps/jsp/finance/compinfo/CIAtAGlance.jsp?tkr=MSFT), Microsoft has been ranked for two years in a row as the 49th biggest company in the world, with sales over $59 Billion, Profits over $17 Billion and a market value of $230 Billion. On the other hand Google, one of its toughest competitors has a market value of $117 Billion and sales of $24.91Billion. Also ranked by Forbes as the 120 biggest company in the world (http://finapps.forbes.com/finapps/jsp/finance/compinfo/CIAtAGlance.jsp?tkr=GOOG).
Based on this facts I just don´t see Microsoft disappearing in the future. Microsoft already started to diversify its business for example with the X-Box that it has been a success. Due to the huge penetration of Microsoft over all this years by far it is the most used software all over the world, almost every computer user learned how to use one computer thru a Microsoft software or a Windows platform and although there are new and very strong competitors like Google, it seems unlikely that Microsoft may lose all of its captive users. Microsoft has a lot of resources to buy small competitors and also has one of the biggest budget for research and design technology, I strongly believe that it is a matter a of time for Microsoft to start regaining field in the market, whether by continue diversifying its investments, whether by buying a new and important technology company or whether developing new services or softwares of its own. Microsoft is a consolidated company that at this point does not depend on intangible assets, it has an infrastructure that will allow it to remain being a dominant player in the market.
*For more information about the 1999 resolution of the Washington District Court where Microsoft was declared a Monopoly please visit http://www.thisnation.com/library/ms-findings.html.
According to Forbes (http://finapps.forbes.com/finapps/jsp/finance/compinfo/CIAtAGlance.jsp?tkr=MSFT), Microsoft has been ranked for two years in a row as the 49th biggest company in the world, with sales over $59 Billion, Profits over $17 Billion and a market value of $230 Billion. On the other hand Google, one of its toughest competitors has a market value of $117 Billion and sales of $24.91Billion. Also ranked by Forbes as the 120 biggest company in the world (http://finapps.forbes.com/finapps/jsp/finance/compinfo/CIAtAGlance.jsp?tkr=GOOG).
Based on this facts I just don´t see Microsoft disappearing in the future. Microsoft already started to diversify its business for example with the X-Box that it has been a success. Due to the huge penetration of Microsoft over all this years by far it is the most used software all over the world, almost every computer user learned how to use one computer thru a Microsoft software or a Windows platform and although there are new and very strong competitors like Google, it seems unlikely that Microsoft may lose all of its captive users. Microsoft has a lot of resources to buy small competitors and also has one of the biggest budget for research and design technology, I strongly believe that it is a matter a of time for Microsoft to start regaining field in the market, whether by continue diversifying its investments, whether by buying a new and important technology company or whether developing new services or softwares of its own. Microsoft is a consolidated company that at this point does not depend on intangible assets, it has an infrastructure that will allow it to remain being a dominant player in the market.
*For more information about the 1999 resolution of the Washington District Court where Microsoft was declared a Monopoly please visit http://www.thisnation.com/library/ms-findings.html.
miércoles, 19 de mayo de 2010
LA GIRALDA- RICE WITH QUAIL (CODORNIZ)
This spanish brand has about 5 restaurants here in Madrid, the one I strongly recommend is the one in Maldonado, close to Serrano, where Adolfo (the manager) will make you feel like home... Do not miss the RICE with QUAIL is delicioussssss... and also go ahead and during the summer ask for either the Salmorejo or the Ajo Blanco (these are two kinds of Gazpacho which is a spanish soup that is served cold).
As an entrance try the coquinas (small clams), the are available only during certain year seasons.
As an entrance try the coquinas (small clams), the are available only during certain year seasons.
martes, 18 de mayo de 2010
four square
FOUR SQUARE
All criticism aside, foursquare has a big opportunity based on its business model and on the fact that is developing an interactive database that at this point nobody has and that it will be extremely powerful to link businesses and customers, it will become a very powerful marketing service supplier. This powerful database has the potential to become a social network as well.
By providing general information to the user, at this point, food guides such as SAGAT and other brands like MTV are advertising themselves in foursquare in order to establish an interactive communication with all their potential customers. With foursquare as a tool, this companies reach their customers everywhere and companies get daily information about their customers habits, return visits, schedules, feedback, etc. Although the common citizen or the user of foursquare does not have to pay, foursquare is getting its revenues from other companies that are joining their database and that are launching specific and strategic campaigns thru foursquare buying from it marketing services. Well known brands like Pepsi had already paid for their services. In legal terms once the user accepts to join foursquare he accepts that most of his information might be shared. Opportunities such as giving rewards thru foursquare or developing royalty programs for customers are some of the marketing services this company can provide. However local advertisement in the net will continue to be an alternative to gain revenues.
As a user, I believe they still have some challenges because the information and tips you download at this point is usually uploaded by the same owners of the same restaurants, shops, hotels, etc. which jeopardizes objectivity. (for more legal information about foursquare http://foursquare.com/legal/privacy)
In the long term and once the network of users grows and consolidates four square as a social network, Four square will have the leverage to negotiate with big and small companies marketing services for their customers. Nevertheless, four square has to be aware and become responsible to handle properly the newest most powerful database
All criticism aside, foursquare has a big opportunity based on its business model and on the fact that is developing an interactive database that at this point nobody has and that it will be extremely powerful to link businesses and customers, it will become a very powerful marketing service supplier. This powerful database has the potential to become a social network as well.
By providing general information to the user, at this point, food guides such as SAGAT and other brands like MTV are advertising themselves in foursquare in order to establish an interactive communication with all their potential customers. With foursquare as a tool, this companies reach their customers everywhere and companies get daily information about their customers habits, return visits, schedules, feedback, etc. Although the common citizen or the user of foursquare does not have to pay, foursquare is getting its revenues from other companies that are joining their database and that are launching specific and strategic campaigns thru foursquare buying from it marketing services. Well known brands like Pepsi had already paid for their services. In legal terms once the user accepts to join foursquare he accepts that most of his information might be shared. Opportunities such as giving rewards thru foursquare or developing royalty programs for customers are some of the marketing services this company can provide. However local advertisement in the net will continue to be an alternative to gain revenues.
As a user, I believe they still have some challenges because the information and tips you download at this point is usually uploaded by the same owners of the same restaurants, shops, hotels, etc. which jeopardizes objectivity. (for more legal information about foursquare http://foursquare.com/legal/privacy)
In the long term and once the network of users grows and consolidates four square as a social network, Four square will have the leverage to negotiate with big and small companies marketing services for their customers. Nevertheless, four square has to be aware and become responsible to handle properly the newest most powerful database
miércoles, 5 de mayo de 2010
LA RULETA.- BEST GYN TONIC IN SPAIN
Eventhoug I am not a fan of the gyn tonic, I went to try one in here after a lot of people recomendations, and guess what? IT IS REALLY GREAT, so eventhough is a bit expensive you have got to try it. It is known as the best gyn tonic here in Madrid is in Velazquez just infront of the restaurant "LATERAL". I recommend having dinner in lateral and then cross the street to have at least one gyn tonic. (at lateral try the pintxo with foie, apple cream and iberic ham)
ARROZ CON GAMBAS- "29 FANEGAS"
It is a small tabern in Salamanca, in the street of General Oraa near Velazquez. You can eat tapas or a menu, I strongly recommend the Arroz con Gambas which is only served on thursdays as the "plato del día". It is not to elaborated but it is really good. I also recommend a pintxo with avocado (aguacate) and anchovies (anchoas) or the typical one with brie and iberic Ham. Don´t order the steak tartare pintxo, is expensive and is not that good.
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