There's no doubt that RIM's CEO is living in his own dreams. Optimism is good, but only to an extent.
As far as the problems with RIM are concerned, I think they are majorly because RIM failed to see the market landscape changing. Blackberry was at it's height of success when the business devices were separate from consumer devices and there was very little intersection amongst them. With the market conditions today, consumers no longer want to have business phones as separate tools. They are looking for all-in-one devices that are cool and trendy to carry along, yet powerful enough to use for business applications. I don't think Blackberry really stepped up to meet that needs. Instead, it only focused on keeping the business users at hand and this is why they kept losing customers. I agree that Playbook is a step towards combining business and fun together, but it may be a pretty late move.
@HH: at the end of day, it seems something is changing. After having announced "enterprising minds" program, they have announced the evolution of QNX technology a deep details on innovation will be presented next month at the coming event RIMDevCon. Maybe at that time, the picture will be more clearer then now. Present announcement is made by Lazardis, not by Balsillie. Is this due to random reason?
RIM is facing competition in the enterprise market and it would be suicidal not to look on the consumer side to try to balance things. RIM has already started slashing expenses with the recent job cuts. But would that be enough? Not likely.
RIM's biggest selling point has always been its usability for business and email. They are losing out on their business customer’s every day. As more companies allow their employees to use other platforms to access their servers, Blackberries are becoming the veteran player whose time in the field is getting cut short. Unless RIM can come up with something big and continue to build off of new ideas, RIM is destined to disappear.
Well Anandvy, you have made a good analysis: smartphone & tablet market is very congestioned, right now. All over, companies from hardware and software and trying to play the game in that sector. Despite that, RIM has demonstrated in the past its leadership and capabilities and in my previous posts, I was meaning maybe also in the future, people from RIM, have the talent for recovery. One of key step, for example, is to enforce communication channel between them and enterprises (their most important market). Recent announcement of "Enterprising Minds" program could be an initial small step for backing on track.
RIM delivered a good solution "email-centric", but recent competion that Android is bringing on the market
mfbertozzi, I totally agree with you. BlackBerrys are still prized for their e-mail capabilities, particularly among government and corporate customers who rely on the devices’ tight security. But it is increasingly common to find people who carry a BlackBerry for e-mail and an iPhone for everything else.
The problem with that is, their bread & butter was the enterprise. Consumer target market was secondary. Now it looks like they are targeting the consumer as the primary. That is a major downshift. The only way I see them staying viable is by drastically slashing expenses and making some really compelling marketing efforts.
@ Wale Bakare, "Competition is really changed due to difference mix of players".
I appreciate your view on the current position of smart devices markets and all. However based on the article contents and the state of competition status for RIM against Apple and Samsung, particularly if the shareholders view and that of RIM's CEO are not the same, would you suggest an acquisition?
Bolaji wrote, "Balsillie sees a half-full glass in the company's $1.2 billion cash pile ( plenty of cash though), but investors see a near empty cup when they juxtapose RIM's position against Apple's"
I think for RIM to survive and compete successfully against the likes of Apple and Samsung in the current global financial crisis as you put it, RIM will need to come up with a strong workable and viable strategy. As it stands, "Balsillie is in blatant denial" Is he capable of driving a change? Your thought?
WB, I agree with you. RIM delivered a good solution "email-centric", but recent competion that Android is bringing on the market, changed services for users, moving forward "apps-centric". Once arrived, it was a blast and (imho) RIM didn't plan and conceive enough, steps ahead, in order to renew its solution.
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Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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