What is Google's business plan? The company, fueled by its successful search engine, seems to be going off in a zillion different directions: Android, Youtube, Gmail, Voice, Maps, Blogger, Picasa, and Docs, just to name a few. Many Google products are given away for free.
Analysts have recently noted Google's expenditures are rising faster than its revenues. This comes as no surprise to our technology commentator, Strategic News Service publisher Mark Anderson. It reinforces what he said about Google in his list of predictions for 2011.
Here's what Mark predicted last December:
Google Loses Its Way, failing to answer the critical question: “What Business Am I In?” even as Android, Google Phone, and e-ditions prosper (mostly without revenues). The company will be perceived as confused and unable to develop or support long-term strategy. Is this death by a thousand profitless successes?
Why has Google lost its way? Mark says the company began with a search engine, but no real business plan. Now, it needs to focus on what it can do best and not try to do everything.
How would Mark answer the "what business am I in" question for Google? Google has developed strong expertise in mapping and Geo applications, and Mark says that's a direction he thinks the company should focus on.