CS 377/CLAS 194

The Information Revolution in Latin America

Obstacles and Opportunities through the Internet

Monday November 15

Business Strategy Overview

Guest Lecturer: Fred Gibbons

 

 

Yahoo (A): Identifying and executing against an opportunity

Read: Yahoo A
Review: An overview of central concepts of strategy and business formation

 

Summary

One vector of this course leads to the discovery of opportunities and the question of how to build a business around it. This session will provide a first look at a real "explosive venture" in the technology industry using the case method of instruction.

Founded by two Stanford Ph.D. students, Jerry Yang and David Filo, Yahoo! has grown into one of the most well known companies in the Internet industry. The case study used in this session discusses Yahoo! in general, the founders, the opportunity and the execution. It also addresses different funding options for starting a business, such as corporate sponsorship, being acquired, and raising venture capital.

Study Questions

  1. What is the market opportunity for Yahoo! What are the competitive forces that create it?
  2. What is the Yahoo! Strategy
  3. What is the company's core competence?
  4. What are the risk factors for Yahoo!
  5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of the funding options considered in the case?
  6. How do you rate Jerry Yang and David Filo as leaders?

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