From the folks at VentureBeat , this juxtaposition of articles says it all: Yeah, one company focuses on forward vision, a strong product line, and a mature, strong relationship with Wall St., so speculation on their future drives them to the most profitable and valued company. The other spurned the investment community, brushed off concerns about their core business, has leadership that is the poster child for immature, and, while actually focusing on growth categories, failed to give good guidance to the financial gurus, and is on the verge of being punished to the point of humiliation. What have we learned here? Don't take on Wall St. You will lose. Play by their rules if you want to play in their sandbox. Going public is not for everyone. For all we know, Living Social might be experiencing much of the same, but you don't hear a peep about them. You don't have to have the most innovative product (the iPhone ain't), but you have to execute really well (iOS
A Tretakoff view of the world.