A Possible Future for the Tech Industry

I was quite delighted with the news of Marissa Mayer being appointed CEO of Yahoo! Not only because I love a good turn-around story (and am hoping that we'll see one!), but because this is such an amazing opportunity... for all of us.


In her second week, she started addressing low morale and giving employees ways in which to be excited about where they're working. Quality of life is really important. I'm sure we're going to see several more adjustments to Yahoo!'s management processes in the coming weeks – all of which will be designed to build up the internal momentum and energy of Yahoo!'s talented workforce.


But what's next? Dave McClure suggests that the new CEO build Yahoo!'s brand around women. I don't really find demographics tweaking exciting or visionary, so his suggestion doesn't capture my interest. I'm sure such a strategy would be quite a coup for the company... but there are bigger issues Yahoo! could tackle for the benefit of many more people.


CNN reported Marc Andreessen as saying that "...the selection of Mayer indicates that Yahoo wants to be a product-cent[r]ic company, rather than a media/sales-focused company."


That's more along the lines I'm thinking.


Even though Marissa has extensive experience in managing a core Google product – no less than it's search cash cow – it is her innovative approach to management and team building that fires the imagination, daring one to envision a big future for Yahoo! ... and if successful, a whole new world for the tech industry.


What future?