Google adds IBM patents as it looks to future

Acquiring resources to implement strategies. Google's strategy is to entre/dominate the social networking market. Although, as a company it is capable of innovating on online technologies, it struggles with social networking; buying them from IBM gives Google quick access to resources. It is also interesting to note that IBM is now building technologies that it is not for its own use. This seems like an RBV strategy, to use its assets for developing resources that will sell to others.

Google adds IBM patents as it looks to future

Google has gained hundreds of patents from IBM as it continues its intellectual property spending spree.
It has acquired 187 patents and 36 applications, adding to the 1,000 it purchased from IBM last summer.

Read the whole article at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16409081

The end of the 'Sony Ericsson' Affair

This is a good case study of JV that never really worked as expected. One of the most interesting pieces of information was the fact that Sony was reluctant to link the handsets to the rest of its products which are very successful, fearing that Ericsson would had been benefited. This is also a very good example of how companies seeks to develop synergies based on their core competence. Sony has a great range of unique resources and core competences which should be linked to the handset.
It is quite interesting that when this JV was established the handset industry was not linked to any of other products by Sony.

Some articles for the full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15473954; http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15285258

Microsoft's Bing deepens ties with Facebook

Good example of how Microsoft creates synergies between one of its SBUs (search engine) and facebook.com (which they do not own 100% but they are one of the main shareholders). This actually workds as a good example of how strategic alliances work, too. Interesting to note, that Microsoft has spent almost a decade trying to catch up Google and it seems that are not capable of developing the reource/capability in terms of technology and they are definetely lacking in terms of reputation; however creating synergies with the most popular networking site could help them boost Bing's popularity and usage.

Microsoft's Bing deepens ties with Facebook

Microsoft's Bing search engine has begun showing US users which sites and products their Facebook friends like.
The move is an attempt to make web search results more personal.
It is part of a four-year alliance between the two companies and marks another step in Microsoft's attempt to displace market leader Google.

Read the whole article at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11540661

Mark Zuckerberg on facebook's long term direction

It is very interesting to note the clear strategic direction set up by Zuckerberg; at this stage they are not interested in capitalising on the existing success, hence profits are not the first priority! He believes that the sustainability of the facebook will depend on its members (asset/resources) and not on the financial returns (another type of asset/resource). This interview also serves as a good example of the differences between mission and vision for a company.

To see the interview: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7664384.stm