Business

Why Dell won't go private

The company needs to transform, but here's why going private doesn't make sense.

Rumors of Dell going private really took off back in June when, at the Sanford C. Bernstein investor conference, CEO and founder Michael Dell, well, mentioned that he had considered that strategy.

Then earlier this month, CFO Brian Gladden poured some gas on the flames when he said the debate was still alive in Austin, saying that Dell (DELL) had spent MORE

The implications of too much VC money and too little startup talent

From mass raises at Google to angels oversubscribing the latest hot startup, Silicon Valley is flush with cash, but short on talent. Believe it or not, that's mostly a good thing.

By JS Cournoyer, contributor

The world of early stage investing is changing in ways that are reminiscent to the tech bubble of 1999. As Fred Wilson points out in "Storm Clouds" that investors are behaving badly, making $5M to $15M MORE

Creating jobs "for the people" through Open Government

Apps for Californians was a contest to build the best tools to leverage government data for the public good. Besides creating new ways for citizens to understand their world, it also created new job opportunities and blueprint for the nation.

By John F. Moore, contributor

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was not talking about Open Government data or job creation when he spoke of, "government of the people, by MORE

Aol and Yahoo: Time to put a ring on it

After years of flirtations, Aol and Yahoo, or at least their bankers, seem to again be talking about a union. Our business relationship advice columnist has had enough, and says they should seal the deal already.

By Chadwick Matlin, contributor

Dear Mergie:

I am at a loss. Not, for once, of my money. (I've had a great few months.) I'm at a loss of what to do about somebody I like. It's not MORE

Crowd-sourcing your investment portfolio with Quovo

From the wreckage of Lehman Bros., a young, pedigreed banker has a new take on using the wisdom of the crowds to help users make wise investment decisions.

By Mina Kimes, writer

As Lehman Brothers slid towards its demise in the summer of 2008, many of the investment bank's younger staffers found themselves with time on their hands. One banker, Lowell Putnam, says his team passed the hours by working on their personal portfolios MORE

Hiring executives: If you've never done the job, how do you hire somebody good?

How many CEOs have been head of HR, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Finance or Legal? Probably none. Here's how they can overcome that and still hire good people in those roles.

By Ben Horowitz, contributor

The biggest difference between being a great functional manager and being a great general manager – and particularly a great CEO – is that as a general manager, you must hire and manage people who are MORE

The rebirth of VC (really!)

Venture capital isn't mired in a new normal. Instead, it's on the verge of a cyclical upswing.

By Roger Ehrenberg, contributor

To most, the world of venture capital appears to be in the midst of chaos. Poor 10-year returns. Many bloated GPs. The super angel/micro VC "phenomenon" (if it can be called that). Rumors of collusion. A largely closed IPO market. Stock market uncertainty. An uncertain regulatory climate. And on and on. A crazy MORE

How IBM is using water to learn the cloud

IBM wants to turn an entire city in Iowa into a lab. There's more in this for the company than just helping Dubuquers measure their water bills.

On Monday, IBM unveiled the latest step in a long-term project in Dubuque. IBM will monitor how over 300 volunteer households consume water. IBM doesn't build any of the hardware—a company called Neptune built the low-flow water monitors that all Dubuque residents are having MORE

It's time for a new version of government

The government 2.0 movement is about change, real change, and how to use the power of tech to empower the public. Here's how it will work, and who's already behind it.

By John Moore, contributor

There is a movement underway, called Government 2.0, a movement is crucial to our future as a society and one that's I'm a part of -- an inside man, if you will. Let me tell you about MORE

Bloomberg releases its Android app

The full featured app signals the rise of Android in business.

Google's (GOOG) Android platform is starting to make significant inroads into businesses.  One sure-fire indicator is that Bloomberg has released an Android app for their news readers on Google's smartphone platform.  Android Bloomberg users were previously able to access their information via a mobile web interface but the new app is a "richer, more interactive, and engaging experience".

One unique (and MORE