Google has always been known for taking unconventional steps but still somehow make sense and standout! This new move is absolutely unimaginable but yet seems extremely tactical. Google get a new parent company – Alphabet which will have Larry Page as the CEO. Shocked? Well read on!
This blog has had a history of being a fan of Google announcement. Though in the recent years, it seemed like the company has been making one too many mistakes, their recent developments around Chrome, Google Now and even the ambitious Project Loon have been impressive.
A lot of the recent tech advancements were taken under the product leadership of Sundar Pichai who will now be leading Google as its new CEO. That’s right, Larry will be stepping down to lead Alphabet which will have Google as one of its subsidiary albeit the largest entity.
Tell me more…
The company URL is aptly – abc.xyz and Larry shares details about this move on the site. According to them this step has been taken to bring out better management of various businesses that Google has ventured into which are not necessarily in the tech/internet domain any longer. The acquisition of NEST and Calico to name a few businesses which are very different from the traditional areas where Google has had a play. Each company will be managed by individual CEOs and under one umbrella – Alphabet.
Though from an outside view this seems to be more of a restructuring activity, it does open up a lot of possibilities for Google (or rather Alphabet) to venture into even more uncharted territories. Looks like this decision was well received by the Street as well which say a spike of 5% in its share price!
But what about the shares?
Alphabet Inc. will replace Google on the stock exchange and all existing shares will be converted to that of the new entity. From a shareholder point of view this does not change much except that fact that the company’s books will look cleaner and more sorted.
Why the name ‘Alphabet’?
I had the same question when I saw the announcement. As it does not strike one as a great name but looking at Larry’s response seems like ample thought has been put into this matter:
We liked the name Alphabet because it means a collection of letters that represent language, one of humanity’s most important innovations, and is the core of how we index with Google search! We also like that it means alpha‑bet (Alpha is investment return above benchmark), which we strive for! I should add that we are not intending for this to be a big consumer brand with related products—the whole point is that Alphabet companies should have independence and develop their own brands.
Read the complete letter here.
How are others taking it?
Well looks like the response has been quite positive from shareholders and people in general sense. Most are still confused about the move but according to me this should hardly matter as simply put its a restructuring activity from a business point of view. Does not change or impact google product in any way.
Though there is already a troll site doing the rounds – abc.wtf coz clearly that is the first reaction. Share your views in the comment section.
Easter Egg from Google
Google is known for its easter eggs. Even this announcement has a clever one. Buried deep in the announcement in a hidden link attached to the period in the sentence “Alphabet will also include our X lab, which incubates new efforts like Wing, our drone delivery effort”. This is amazing for fans of Silicon Valley.
Step one: go to http://abc.xyz
Step two: click the period after “drone delivery effort.
Step three: enjoy.
Update – Here’s how Alphabet will be structured
This image shared as part of the CNN Money report provides a good view of how the company structure may look like.
