Melanie Gass, a Microsoft expert of ten years, has been analyzing details of Microsoft’s unsolicited bid to Yahoo and says the buyout is imminent and talks with other companies are simply empty facts in an attempt to increase buyout share value.
Microsoft’s unsolicited $44.6 Billion bid sparked a flurry of activity on both the Microsoft and Yahoo sides. To date there are seven shareholder lawsuits; four out of California and three out of Delaware for failing to negotiate with Microsoft in good faith. With the deadline of a buyout offer approaching, talks on Yahoo’s side are finally starting to increase. Gass claims the primary purpose for Yahoo declining the offer and failing to negotiate is due to one simple fact; Jerry Yang, co-founder and CEO of Yahoo, hates Microsoft. Gass states, “When Microsoft announced its bid, it’s as if [Jerry] Yang swept it under the rug hoping the nightmare of his arch enemy wanting to buy his company would go away.” The looming deadline is forcing Yahoo to scurry for alternatives to either stay independent or be bought by anyone other than Microsoft.
Upon analyzing the facts reports by various news outlets, Gass believes the claims of a potential buyout from America Online’s Time Warner, Google or News Corporation are only empty facts designed to get Microsoft to increase their offer. Gass states, “While I know he was turned down by these companies, it’s as if he [Yang] trying to hold on to any potential names to make Yahoo look like it has many suitors. Microsoft is the only one out there who actually wants it and has a strategy for it.” Microsoft’s deadline for Yahoo to voluntarily accept expires April 26, 2008 and has held firm to its offer, regardless of Yahoo’s first quarter earnings announcement. Gass states, “This is a pivotal week for Yahoo announcing its earnings, but either way I believe Microsoft will have its way. Since Yang loathes Microsoft I think it’s only a matter of time before a proxy vote is in order.”
As a product expert, Gass believes this imminent takeover will be good for Microsoft. Gass states, “Microsoft has been planning this for quite some time. Their Hotmail site has begun the conversion to a web-based website offering in anticipation of this acquisition. It’s the perfect way to increase market share on web searches and now Yahoo’s testing of Google web ads only sweetens the pot to compete more directly with Google. It’s a recipe for victory for Microsoft to increase market share over Google. It’s a tremendous benefit to the end-user in receiving higher quality services and products at lower prices.”
About Melanie Gass:
Melanie Gass has been an expert in Microsoft Office® since 1998. She owns a computer-training firm called CenterPoint Solution, which focuses on providing time-saving training for corporate needs nationwide. Melanie is also a six-time author of Microsoft product reference guides sold to companies and retailers worldwide.
