What Differentiates Facebook from Google and HP?
May 25, 2012
It would seem to state the obvious to say that Facebook is different from Google and HP. Just how it stands apart could be more interesting, though, particularly from the viewpoint of the social giant’s own fearless leader. ZDNet reports, “Mark Zuckerberg on How Facebook is Different from Google, HP.”
Going public can have a way of changing a company; suddenly, shareholders must be placated, and it can easily become all about short-term profits. Zuckerberg insists, however, that his company will forever be all about “the social mission,” as writer Emil Protalinski put it. Recently, Zuckerberg emphasized this priority in a comparison with two of Facebook’s biggest competitors:
“I think the biggest difference between Facebook and other companies is how focused we are on our mission … Different companies care about different things. There are companies that care about, just really care about having the biggest market cap. Or there are companies that are really into process or the way they do things. Hewlett Packard, right? The thing that you always hear about them is ‘the HP Way.’ … Google, I think, is very tied to their culture — they really love that. For us, it is the mission: building a company that makes the world more open and connected. The articulation of that has, I think, changed over time. But that’s really been, like, the belief the whole time.”
Will investors appreciate the boy genius’ attitude? Some have already expressed disappointment in his wardrobe. Protalinski points out that anyone investing in Facebook is ultimately investing in Zuckerberg and his vision; stockholders would do well to give the man room to keep doing what he does. Comfortably dressed, even.
Cynthia Murrell, May 25, 2012
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