Is there any reason why we are not publishing 'sanitized' metrics on bank wins, size of total / target (smart phone enabled) market, adoption rates? We don't need to mention the name of the bank to protect their strategic plans. Though, it would give investors (other stakeholders) a sense of progress & momentum
By mid-November we'll know all that we need to know. By then the Annual Meeting will be complete and there will have been 2 Investor sessions. They will tell us; whether Al's head is still in the game, whether the old & new guard are getting along, whether Leadership has learned that they need to be much more forthcoming on progress in executing the strategy so that investors buy into the plan. They should not hold the meetings unless or until they have material PR about new customers / partners, something believable to say about delivery of what functionality in Monitise 2.0 by when, what metrics we should use to judge progress & the frequency with which they will be reported. They should share the economics / risks of the new business model; including the positive / negative impact if any one customer joins / leaves (Visa). They should share how & why IBM makes a good partner. Are they motivated to execute with a sense of urgency with both setting up the cloud environment & more importantly business development. Lastly, we need to hear how we intend to win the fight to attract & retain key people talent. As someone with a largish position, I hope they are up to the task. Hopefully, this little downdraft in the stock price helps them understand that failing to share the above would be catastrophic
Share price matters...let's hope we are taking advantage of the low share price as a means to attract talent...offers prospects significant upside. We win if we have the right talent & execute with a sense of urgency...like a start-up
The only solution to Visa & other obstacles is to 'out execute' them. If we execute with a sense of urgency (Monitise 2.0, price our offering such that we win the landgrab, coummunicate such that we create a sense of momentum...monthly operating metrics), we will win. If we are complacent or have excessive hubris or revert to infighting, we lose & lose quickly
Where's our BOD? Are they protecting the interests of shareholders? Do they understand the nature (pace) of a land grab? Do they understand the need to communicate with all stakeholders (employees...attracting & retaining our best), shareholders (share price matters). Are they objectively looking into our strategic choices. What are we doing this weekend...before it all slips away? It's a long time before the annual meeting!
October will be a very long month (quite period ends with the Annual Meeting), unless there is some PR. Share price matters!
From Bloomberg today...Visa Fights Usurpers by Joining Apple in New Payments System By Elizabeth Dexheimer Oct 2, 2014 9:16 AM ET...I sure hope we are executing with a sense of urgency! IBM as well!!!
Testing the mettle of our founder; Alastair. We're going to find out what kind of person he is in the coming 12 - 18 months. We're executing his vision, yet we've hit a bump in the road during transition. Will he cut & run; hand off to new leadership. Or, will he more fully engage alongside the rest of leadership to realize the vision. We are better with both the old & new guard! We are better with both he & EB. We need Al to de-focus his extracurricular activities & re-focus on leading the company to realize the vision. I hope he decides to recommit!!!
Alastair...if you truly still believe in the vision & are committed to it's execution...buy some shares in the company you founded. It would send a tremendous signal.