As the news of eBay's first-ever down quarter sinks in, John Donahoe has added his first memorable quote of 2009. During the earnings call for Q4 of 2008 he said,
"While the holiday season was tough and competitive, our overall results for 2008 were strong."
What the...? Does John think small individual sellers care whether PayPal did well? Does he think Skype puts money in our pockets? Did John bump his head?
I know he was talking to investors and analysts, so on paper he can say overall results were strong. "Strong" is a relative term though. Yes on paper results may be strong. But in reality, in the world of public relations, and in the hearts and opinions of the people that create eBay's numbers, last year was not "strong" for them. John doesn't really want analysts and investors to pay attention to that.
In the story The Wizard of Oz the wizard was a terrifying person. He seemed very smart, and very powerful. He was so powerful, that people had to have an appointment to see him and ask advice. It seemed he had the answers, he was very fear-inspiring - until this scene:
As Randy Smythe pointed out in his post this morning, this is getting boring. It has become painfully obvious that there is no master plan that is going to turn eBay around. John Donahoe and other eBay executives talk as if there is a big payoff once everything is in place - in fact we should be grateful for all they are doing in our behalf. But behind the curtain, everyone is pulling levers and spinning dials trying to make it all come together. What a "Humbug"!
I recently wrote an eBook that realistically deals with eBay and other venues - you can get it free at: www.theNicheBook.com/mojo.html
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Buyers and sellers are leaving e bay,
this can be proved by http://www.sellerdome.com
It seems from the data that another 15% has simply decided e bay is not worth doing anylonger. This is proved by:
http://blog.sellerdome.com/?p=19
Managements approval ratings would not be in the 20% range if it were doing the job “22% “Approve”, see the link below and see what employees are saying about CEO John J. Donahoe:
http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/eBay-Reviews-E7853.htm to see Mr. Donahoe’s DSR rating.
Note the 190+ Reviews under the rating.
This is the only CEO that I know of that has its partners/buyers/sellers asking for them to step down:
http://www.petitiononline.com/jdonohoe/petition.html
Notice that the former CEO WHITMAN MARGARET sold many shares before ebay implemented flawed policy, notice no insider trading unless the stock is a gift it seems:
http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/invsub/insider/trans.asp?Symbol=EBAY
Instead of working within the community, that once believed that “people are basically good”, took on a policy that made its tight net community fell like “criminals under big brother” and strong feelings of dislike for the symbol that was once regarded by its employees, buyers and sellers. Ebay has aggressively pushed away its partners will prove to decline its future market share and a relationship that may go un repaired when new management is called upon.
Listen to me :
Ebay is on the Rocks ONLY BECAUSE of C.E.O. John Donahoe.
To believe otherwise is a COMPLETE DISPLAY OF IGNORANCE.
NOW, Go to : nymarts.com for an EYEFULL of what’s in store for Ebay in 2009.
Click on the REQUIRED READING links.
It MAY impact you DIRECTLY.
Ebay is NOT another victim of the Economy.
It JUST is NOT True.
Boots on the Ground baby.
P.S. I could run rings around John Donahoe in the “Word Smith” department.
Word Smithing must only be used for Good.
It must NEVER be used to Decieve and Pilfer.
PREDICTION : John Donahoe will VOLUNTARILY step down in March 2009, ending his Contract with Ebay.
He will say it is for “Medical Reasons”.
To “Santa Clara”
Recipe to save Ebay :
Dump ALL acquisitions.
Remove Ebay from the Stock Market.
Return to Privately Held status.
Disallow Paperless Payments.
NO International sales.
USA Only.
Or, Separate “Localized” Ebays for the country’s that want it. No CoMingling…
Ebay is a VENUE ONLY.
Let the Sellers deal with the buyers.
Ebay’s off the hook with disputes.
ERASE all the Chatroom “Community” junk.
Fire all the Hell Raising Trolls, they’re a Liability.
No Corporate Gobbeldey Gouk.
And there you have it.
Easy as Pie.
Give it a Try.