Is it just me, or is this playing out true to form…
Stage 1: Denial
A number of top executives I spoke to today were flabbergasted by what is essentially a hostile move by Microsoft. Yahoo’s Jerry Yang has been rebuffing such advances, made both privately and in veiled references in public by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
“I woke up this morning and couldn’t believe that they did it,” said one exec. “They had made a lot of overtures, but this was astonishing. I could not believe Microsoft would be so aggressive.”
Stage 2: Anger
No public statements of anger from Yahoo!, but you know that’s what they’re feeling. Instead, we just have the users:
- Wired coverage of Flickr anger
- Flickr group: Keep your evil grubby hands off of our Flickr
Stage 3: Bargaining
…the board determined that the offer massively undervalues Yahoo…
Stage 4: Depression
The firings begin.
Stage 5: Acceptance
Coming soon.