Google

When we reviewed the Google case, I accidentally read the Prediction Markets at Google case, so now I have to swap (please refer to March 16, 2010 post for Prediction Markets).  Google is doing great with Gmail, specifically with storage capacity, search capability, chat online feature, user friendly interface, and adding additional new features such as Google Docs.   I have not used this feature but I’ve heard good things about it.  In class, I was surprised to learn all the Google products available online.  Google is definitely growing and fast, competitors are barely keeping up.  I recommend the next major project for Google is to work in modifying its search engine by organizing information so that it easily fits users’ requests.

Threadless

I think their T-shirt design submission and taking votes from the community is a great idea.  However, this model only works if you have community participation.  Also, what I like that they included is that voters not only vote but include critiques.  I believe the “snowball” effect has a lot to do with the community users, which I think is highly driven by the designers and their motive.  These guys put a lot of effort in coming up with their designs which may be requested by sports teams, volunteering groups, other special groups that they promote to.  These groups in turn  are driven to get online  and vote for the best design for their respective group.

If they make a deal with a retailer to sell their T-Shirts they will lose their differentiation of getting all their community /customers to have a vote on the design. However, there maybe a possibility for them to still keep the voting and distribute to retailers for sale.  Nevertheless, I recommend they stick with their process, nowadays a lot of people don’t have time to go to retail shops, delivery by shipping is fine especially if its T-shirts (simple product).

Facebook’s Platforms

I was one of the early user of Facebook.  I was glad to find a quality-type social network that was more selective, organized and privacy protected.  However, as it started growing and as the case points out they started using our data for other purposes, such as provide to advertisers and to other third-party users.  I surprised when the case said with Facebook Connect they will transfer a lot of user’s personal information to third-party sites, and with the agreements in place (Facebook with third-party companies), these third-party companies can keep the user’s Facebook ID number and main photo indefinitely.  Couldn’t they copy this info and keep it! Wow!

Wikis at Dresdber Kleinwort Wasserstein

Working in an environment with non-IT professionals makes me understand the concerns Lazopoulou has with Socialtext wikis’s user interface.  People want an easy interface with WYSIWYG editing and not have to use special characters/programming language to bold, highlight, underline words.   Moreover, the control and limitations with wikis, which presents a challenge to the training group.  This is similar to a management system tool that I manage, a lot of users complain about the system that not allowing them to upload documents, and it is because of business rules that were set in place.

Blogging at BzzAgent

Its interesting how this unique marketing concept evolved for BzzAgent.  I think word-of-mouth and referrals are the best advertising method to get new customers.  People are tired of direct marketing and they like to hear it from friends and in a casual way.  This builds brand loyalty.  I think BzzAgent success shows that this was a success.  Unfortunetly, they couldn’t get their employees to use BeeLog, their company blog.  The thruth is that a lot of employees don’t have time or think its a waste of time.  It takes time, but BzzAgent should offer incentives to its employees.

Brightcove

I think Brightcove’s idea of bringing all market players (Publishers, Affiliates, Consumers and Advertisers) in a stop-shop location in the web is great, but it may a huge challenge.  As they have experienced serving the premium publishers, it is difficult to serve the publisher’s customization needs, it takes a lot of time and resources.  This means that they may experience the same challenge with each player (Affiliates, Consumers and Advertisers).  They may not want to refuse their service because this would mean loss of customer service, thus negative profit.  The other challenge that is not on their side is the rapid evolving technology, it may allow them to fall behind and other competitors exploit these new opportunities, as they have witnessed from their “oversight” of YouTube.  I recommend Brightcove prioritize their service offerings and focuse on one customer.

Prediction Markets for Google

It was great that the Google team developed the GPM program to test their theory that collective intelligence as a group yields more accurate predictions than invidualistic intelligence.  These were interesting results.  At the same the time the team discovered other factors that drove people to bid/trade, such as non-cash rewards (reputational prizes), easy-to-use, fun markets and etc.   I think it would be good as Gowgill said to ask the company to stop using short-term planning/forecasting technique and to use GPM, but I would do a parallel test for at least six months to test the program.

NTT DoCoMo, Inc.

I think DoCoMo has great potential with FeliCa networks, but offering mobile phone-based credit is a risky one.  Like they said- it is not in their line of business, they could incur huge losses.  Also, promoting eMoney on FeliCa phones is great, but as we know there are huge security and liability risks (theft, loss, damage).  For example, who would customers complain to if they lost their phone/emoney, who would they take legal action against?  I think DoCoMo is crossing a fine line getting into the financial industry.

Netflix

What an interesting story from Reed Hastings! He was tired of paying late fees on the video rentals, so he thought of a  idea…cutting the middleman (i.e. the lease retail stores), Brilliant!! I think all of us can relate to those late fees.  As a result, Netflix took  most of Blockbuster customers, and surprisingly Blockbuster did not enter the online business until a few years later.  During this time, Netflix built strong models to retain its customers (recommendation system, subscription model, search engines, customer profiles, and etc.), therefore Blockbuster was not a huge threat.  The new challenge for Netflix was the Video-on-Demand (VOD).  I think the best choice for Netflix is to team up with the cable companies and arrange a licensing agreement to enter the VOD market.  Even though its a partnership with the competitor, the cable companies are a monopoly, it would be ideal to team up with them.

Warner Bros & BitTorrent

The main problems and issues BitTorrent was facing are important because it is still prevalent today.  There are still illegal downloading of movies and music and other copyright material.  People or users need to understand the effects of illegal downloading and file sharing and the repercussions of it.  Also, they need to understand that they can still clean up their act and work toward keeping this industry alive.

Perhaps educating people more, such as airing commercials can help.   Can you imagine your life without music and movies?