Subscribe

Managed Video as a Service

The place to learn about and discuss Managed Video as a Service

2

Jun

Who’s bigger – GM or Salesforce.com?

mwilson  in Ecosystem, SaaS, Uncategorized

On May 21, 2008, Saleforce.com released its fiscal first quarter results.  A link to the news release is attached.

http://www.salesforce.com/company/news-press/press-releases/2008/05/080521.jsp

About three weeks prior, General Motors released its first quarter results.

http://www.gm.com/corporate/investor_information/earnings/index.jsp

Stating the obvious, these are two very different companies.  Salesforce.com develops and markets on demand application services, which includes Software-as-a-Service and Platform-as-a-Service solutions.  General Motors, on the other hand, develops, produces and markets cars, trucks and parts worldwide. 

About the only thing they have in common is that they were founded or came to prominance at the turn of ”a” century. 

Ever thought about which company is bigger?

This website uses IntenseDebate comments, but they are not currently loaded because either your browser doesn't support JavaScript, or they didn't load fast enough.

4 Responsed To This Post

Subscribes to this post comment rss or trackback url
mygif_alt
Dan Caruso said, June 2nd, 2008 at 4:47 pm

great post!!

mygif
Darren Loher said, June 2nd, 2008 at 9:59 pm

Something I get tired of seeing is a lot of talk about is how great having lots of revenue is without talking about any other financial metrics. I am glad to see this post because I can tell it’s not going to be about revenue.

:)

mygif_alt
The Willys Jeep v. SaaS | Salesforce Times said, June 5th, 2008 at 1:12 am

[...] Part one of “mwilson”’s post is here. [...]

mygif
Kevin Richardson said, June 5th, 2008 at 7:28 am

Interesting corollary. IMO the car industry has faltered for the precise reasons that companies like Salesforce.com have succeeded.
(1) Platforms – Salesforce has built a platform and allowed customers to build/tweak on top of it
(2) Passion – Salesforce has a call to arms…”the end of software”. GM’s current call to arms, “don’t die” which enspires you
(3) Customization – Built on the platform pillar, Salesforce now allows you to build ANY tool on their platform. Could the car industry pull that off (umm..hello…Scion?)

Salesforce.com fundamentally changed the “software” industry by offering something completely new, built around a customizable platform and a passion with a call to action. The auto industry is still “trying to keep up with Japan” and are failing.

To sound like Tom Peters…go where the competition is not. What about a collaborative platform car(s) customized to my needs/wants? What about just flat beating the Japanese to the punch on electric or fuel cell technology?

This should be our generations “Land a Man on the Moon” call to action.

Response To This Topic

Please Note: The comment moderation maybe active so there is no need to resubmit your comment