Will Google ever stop?

When analyzing cases it is important to provide relevant and up-to-date information along with sound examples to strengthen your stance. I have spoken with past OCMC participants and they suggested that in the days leading up to the competition students should monitor the media to identify up-to-date examples that are relative to their topic in which they could possibly integrate into their presentation.

Not only does this have the potential to strengthen what you are proposing to the judges, but it also shows that you have an interest in what you are talking about.  Although you may not find anything that applies to your topic, at the very least it is worth taking a look at.

Okay, now on to Google. Before I started writing this article, I typed in “Google competes with”, and before I could even finish my sentence this is what the search engine (yes- it was also Google) produced for me:

Earlier this week Google announced an expansion to their long anticipated music download and cloud service. According to Google, the site and mobile applications will be up and running within the next two weeks. Although the services will still be in beta mode, it is anticipated that Google will not disappoint. I am going to highlight some of the key reasons as to why Google is trying to take a bite out of the market and steal some bragging rights from the competition.

What does this mean for Google?

It means that they are one step close to taking over the world. No, not quite- but it does mean that they are challenging the efforts of Apple and Amazon. Although this is a risky move, I am pretty sure that Google can afford it. After all they just reported a 33% increase in revenues over the last quarter- amounting to nearly $10 billion.

What are the plans?

Google is smart. They just wont release any old mp3 playing music software. The key word to Google’s plan is ‘cloud’. For $24.99 per year, users are able upload their existing music libraries into the ‘cloud’ allowing them instant access to their music regardless location. Users will also be able to download songs at a maximum price of .99 cents, which undercuts Itunes ‘popular’ song list by $.25.

So what? Amazon does the same thing!

Yes, that’s correct. Amazon has been offering a very similar service since March of this year. So what separates Google and Amazon apart? Not all that much. In fact many people are arguing that Amazon is the better deal due to the $4 cheaper price tag. Although this may be true, Google isn’t concerned; mainly due to the fact that users will be able to link their existing gmail (and all other Google based accounts) to the service. It is also speculated that Google is going to leverage their social media platform Google+ in order to promote and entice consumers to this new music service.

Google keeps getting BIGGER and BIGGER and BIGGER!

Will they ever stop!? Not likely. Google has gained massive ground within the last five years. They have acquired over 70 businesses bringing their total acquisitions to 104; their most expensive purchase being Motorola Mobility for over $12 billion. Google has also ventured into the sectors of green transportation, biotechnology, music education and online legal services.

I think that it is really exciting to watch Google grow. As a student with high aspirations of entering into the world of business I look at a company such as Google and think “What can I do that they’re not?” Although competing with Google may seem like a difficult feat it is not impossible.

Just remember: “You can accomplish anything if you set your mind to it”

-       -Tim