Crastinate

With the Yahoo and Microsoft rumor mill STILL buzzing, it’s hard to know whether Yahoo, after all the drama, will eventually land on their feet. Yahoo just announced a reshuffling of some top executives after the recent exodus of top-level employees. Everyone has their own opinion on the matter. Here is my open letter to Yahoo:

Dear Yahoo,

You are one of the most visited, if not the most visited, web property in the world. You had the insight to buy Delicious and Flickr while others were still questioning Web 2.0. You had all the properties necessary to compete with Facebook and Myspace and yet you didn’t unify your offerings into a cohesive social networking product. This has happened time and time again where you miss an opportunity to capitalize on your strengths and compete in a new market.

Another new market is emerging. This market is tired of being stuck in walled gardens. This market wants open access to all applications and information streams. You have the ability to provide this new market what they’re looking for. Focus on aggregating information. Don’t be a competitor to anyone. Be above everyone. Be that top layer (see what FriendFeed is trying to do). You have the ability now to redefine what Yahoo is. Make it a consumer evangelist company. Make it something we, as web users, can get behind and be proud of. Google’s mantra “Don’t be evil” has been running thin lately. We need a new web hero. Be our web hero.

Don’t worry about your investors. If they haven’t sold your stock by now, they’re in it for the long haul. Focus on improving your products. Were behind you. Just be communicative. Let us know what is going on. Be honest about it. We’re ok with delays, but not lies. Others are gunning to be our next web hero. The odds are not in your favor. Prove the critics wrong. It’s time to innovate. Get to it.

Ely Rosenstock

Ely Rosenstock