Google 2024, IBM 1993

The call for Sundar Pichai's head is getting louder. There is now a major badmouthing article about Google in Business Insider by Hugh Langley and Lara O'Reilly. 

REPLICATING IBM IN EARLY 1990S?

The most scathing aspect of the take-down is a comparison with where IBM had been in the early 1990s. We boomers vividly remember that reversal of fortune. Once the dominant tech leader with the unique model for starting up businesses in other nations IBM had become lunch, dinner and breakfast for Microsoft and Apple.

In April 1993, in a stunner of a change for IBM, CEO John Akers lost his job. Outsider Lou Gerstner parachuted in. That was the first non-homegrown IBMer to lead. Gerstner disrupted the lackluster giant into becoming a relevant player again. Gerstner chronicled that turnaround in the bestseller "Who Says Elephants Can't Dance."

SO RISK AVERSE, AT EXACTLY THE WRONG TIME

Essentially, Google is depicted as shifting from aggressive innovation to being risk averse. The example provided is its hesitation to release an early version of generative AI. It feared that a lack of perfection would damage its brand.

In contrast is OpenAI. It not only has stolen the show - and not only in terms of PR but also in actual products such as Sora. It has done that with releases which have had glitches. What we remember as The Google would attribute such boldness to the OpenAI's team's confidence in themselves or a sense of "psychological safety." That is, the startup didn’t need external validation of being 100% to be convinced it was on the right commercial track. Incidentally, that confidence is mirrored today in how professionals knocked out of the box can reset themselves for other ways to earn a good living. 

Meanwhile the joke is on Google. When it did release the Gemini AI app release the embedded problems were "unacceptable." And that is the meme: Google has become a joke.

EXITING COMFORT ZONES

In the current business environment, backing off from taking risk is an unforgiveable "sin.” To even survive but preferably grow so many sectors, including the prestigious personal services, are scrambling to try out new things in a crazy global economy driven by technology and thrown into chaos by geopolitical tensions. 

Once arrogant McKinsey is doing soul-searching. Overall management consulting is less in demand and that could be a permanent development. Although, project some, McKinsey could be among the last left standing in that niche, it may never be "McKinsey" again. That reality could restructure the firm more than recent scandals, the latest of which has been its assignments for China. 

Elite law firm Paul, Weiss has ventured out of its comfort zone. Among its objectives seems to be building an the “ownership” presence in London and Houston. Is it too much of a stretch to label those initiatives as “startups. I think not. In addition, the chatter is that it is reviewing introducing polices such as a black box compensation system and a nonequity partner tier. 

Leader of the pack, always presenting at the World Economic Forum annual meeting at Davos, public relations giant Edelman has cut more than 200 of its seasoned players. Is the message there: Given technology's neck-snapping impact on communications, does the "old guard" in image-management create less value? 

NO WAY BACK?

Not too long after the Gerstner era IBM slipped into stale again. Now it's back. But the retrofitting took time. With the rapid AI developments and the fierce competition in tech, Google may not have that time. If it loses its dominance in search, it may never be able to be “Google” again.

In intuitive coaching I warn clients to be hypervigilant in picking up on shifts and then having a sense of urgency in formulating and implementing strategies. Time lost could take the business/career with it. 

Here's the classic play-out. Those in marketing/content-creation insisted the need for the human touch would protect their jobs/assignments from generative AI. They figured all they had to do was fine-tune their MO. Overall, they are locked out as the downsized market for those services delivered by humans moved beyond their mindsets and skills.

2024. You can transform the craziness of this time into unique opportunity. Jane Genova provides you with intuitive career coaching, Tarot readings and related communications. Complimentary confidential consultation. (For appointment text/phone 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)

Meanwhile, please get to know me:

https://tarotreadingsforcareers.blogspot.com/

https://janegenovaintuitivecareercoaching.blogspot.com/

https://makingyourpoint.blogspot.com)

 

 

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