Google Chrome OS will disrupt everything, even YOUR business
It’s no secret that I’m sort of a tech geek. Without the plethora of free online tools today, I would never have created a MLM law practice. But now with tools like google ads, facebook, scribd, viddler, etc, any individual can brand themselves, put themselves in front of their target audience, and win them over. The rules of business have changed, big time!
And the rules are still changing. I enjoy following tech trends because those trends are empowering movements where small beats big. If you fail to understand the significance of marketing on the web, you WILL get swallowed by the changing tide. It’s not a matter of “if,” it’s only a matter of “when.” Like a herd of cats, empowered entrepreneurs are slowly picking off the elephants.
Google’s decision to launch an operating system is VERY substantial. People are debating about whether or not this spells the end for Microsoft. First, it doesn’t. Second, who cares? Third, it probably poses a threat to YOUR business.
If you’re not familiar with what an operating system is, it’s a program on your computer that allows you to interface with your files and programs i.e. Microsoft Windows. When Windows came out in the 80s, it enabled average people with the ability to manipulate PCs and make things happen. It completely changed business. When you buy a PC today, there’s a 95% chance it has Windows pre-loaded. You boot it up, double click the programs and get to work. Simple, right?
Before I dive into how the Google OS will threaten your business, I want to acknowledge that it’s not a novel idea to run a PC on a free operating system. Linux has been around for years. Linux sucks and Linux isn’t Google. So let’s proceed.
When you buy a Dell or HP computer, a large part of the price is attributed to MS Windows. The cost of a PC is not really a barrier for most Americans…PCs are everywhere. But in other parts of the world, computer access is not as ubiquitous due to the costs. My virtual assistant in India has to travel to work to jack into the net. He lacks a computer at home. Why? “Too much money.”
Google makes its money via search ads. It makes a TON of money! It completely opened the doors for companies like mine to service niche markets. In order to get the search dollars, they need people searching. To get people searching, people need computers. As Jeff Jarvis pointed out in “What Would Google Do?“, Google’s only limitations are computer and internet access across the world. The more people on computers, the more search revenue they make. It’s that simple. What’s the best way to get people on the net all across the globe? Offer a free operating system and let people buy computers for $50. All of a sudden, when companies like HP and Dell make dirt cheap computers with the Google OS, the 
barriers are gone for people in those obscure places in the world. And with Google’s OS, it’ll no doubt lead to new innovations with online applications, making business online easier, cheaper, and more efficient. Business apps are moving to the cloud. Even Microsoft understands this. Google just accelerated the space race to the cloud.
But it’s not you that will benefit by these innovations. After all, you’ve already got Windows or Apple’s Leopard. You’re already tethered to an office that’s hooked to a server. What happens when everybody on the planet has access to an infinite supply of information. Competition breeds innovation, and innovation requires constant evolution from workers to stay ahead of the curve. Auto workers in Flint are slowly figuring this out. In America, we have this mindset that we can build walls around the country and offer our citizens guarantees. We want minimum wages, employment benefits, labor unions, public education. Meanwhile, there’s the rest of the world that’s just waking up to these new, infinite opportunities…and they want it all. And guess what, they’re willing to work at a fraction of the cost it takes to sustain your lifestyle. If 1,000,000 people were granted an opportunity that once never existed, and one person from that million was special, could that one person put you out of business?
Competition is fierce. It’s more fierce today than it’s ever been because now, it’s not just mega corporations competing on a global scale, individuals are. Information wants to be free. Globalization is a tide and tides never stop. In the blink of an eye, the world population will have access to anything they’d ever want to learn. You might think, “Americans have access to better education.” Education? They’ll get exactly the same education from accredited schools…online. What happens when your classmate is from the Philippines, learning the same skills as you, and he only needs $5 a day to live large? Focus on what you can do today to stay ahead of the curve. Be an expert. Serve a niche. Brand yourself, build relationships, be somebody worth trusting. Trust is an asset and impossible to replace. Until you leverage the free tools available to lead a movement and be heard, you’re begging to be picked off by some starving genius in India, Africa, China, or by your neighbor punk teenager living off fruit roll-ups and ramon noodles.
Tags: google chrome, google chrome os, google disrupt, google operating system
September 10th, 2009 at 6:06 am
Wow. Great article Kevin! I need to read this again to soak it in, but you are right on.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:50 am
I disagree. First, the idea that Google’s OS is a threat will remain speculation until a release candidate becomes available for review.
Second, people do not need computers to search. We’ve got iPhones and netbooks now.
If anything, the next barrier to fall will be the network connection–having a connection that’s always on, wherever you go, and having a connection with adequate bandwidth.
September 10th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Interesting article. I’m looking out for Google Chrome OS. But you say “Linux sucks”?
See here: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-google-chrome-os.html
and here: http://www.linux-mag.com/cache/7425/1.html
September 10th, 2009 at 11:50 am
The article brings up some interesting points, but even if Linux does suck (debatable), for the rest of the world that can’t afford a computer, they’d rather have an OS that sucks than no OS at all, so they’d already have chosen Linux (for free), and be doing what the article suggested.
I think the problem lies in a culture and what is freely available to individuals. If a governing structure stifles creativity by imposing restrictions and massive taxes, creativity and competition suffers (try opening a business even in the US today, with all the permits, labor laws, etc, you want to rip your hair out before you even open the door).
These government regulations are “barriers to entry”, they sustain the status quo, hence why Philip Morris sponsored the US Government’s anti-tobacco bill. It’d hurt them sure, but it’d decimate their smaller competition. Long run, more profit for them. Hence why large companies (and large groups of individuals like modern organized labor, etc) like government regulation. They like the idea of using the barrel of the government gun to force everyone else to play by their rules.
September 10th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Great insights, guys. Matt, when Google OS comes out, there’s going to be a huge influx of innovation in the realm of online services, making working in the cloud easier and more mainstream. And it hasn’t occurred until recently that computers are coming with Linux. I think Dell is coming out with some brands with Linux operating system. So the movement is catching steam but I think Google’s entrance in the ring will accelerate EVERYTHING.
Stephen, you’re totally right. People can use mobile devices and netbooks to search. And as you said, the main barriers are cell phone service fees and broadband connections. Still, the first thing that needs to happen is to make PCs ubiquitous (cheap), which will create more demand for broadband.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I stopped after “Linux sucks.”
Just kidding. Great article.
September 10th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Kevin, this is your best written post yet. Spot on the money partner! You will be writing for TechCrunch in no time.
September 10th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
I clicked @RobertDickie on Twitter thinking I was going to read yet another condemnation of Google. How wrong my supposition was. Instead I come away thinking– Very insightful, a much needed call to action, an inspiration to act now to survive in the marketplace later. You summed it up great.. “Focus on what you can do today to stay ahead of the curve. Be an expert. Serve a niche. Brand yourself, build relationships, be somebody worth trusting. Trust is an asset and impossible to replace. Until you leverage the free tools available to lead a movement and be heard, you’re begging to be picked off by some starving genius in India, Africa, China, or by your neighbor punk teenager living off fruit roll-ups and ramon noodles.”
September 11th, 2009 at 7:16 am
Chrome OS is a Linux operating system.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Chrome_OS
What you probably meant to say was that you tried other versions of Linux that sucked, like Ubuntu, Red Hat, ad infinitum. But since this is Google, GOOGLE!, their Linux won’t suck.
September 14th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Kevin, this is fantastic!
I couldn’t agree more. I have a feeling that although we are expecting innovation to take us by storm, Google leveling the playing field more than it already is will shotgun an influx of innovation that will take us by surprise! Even the experts. This is why you are so spot on by saying branding yourself and serving niche markets and becoming a person/company of trust will seperate then men from the boys.
Looking forward to more of your posts. Exciting stuff!
September 14th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
A report out today shows that 13.5 million netbooks were sold globally in Q1 2009:
http://eeepc.itrunsonlinux.com/the-news/325-netbooks-have-a-huge-impact-on-the-pc-industry
Since “the barriers are gone for people in those obscure places in the world” (as evidenced above), what disruption potential remains in the Google Chrome OS?
September 14th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Stephen, the most valuable thing to happen when Google rolls out its OS is more innovation in the cloud, giving people across the world more leverage to connect and create on accepted platforms.
September 15th, 2009 at 12:53 am
Good article Kevin.
As others have mentioned, Linux is out there, even though it has a small following – or at least the following we all measure. Maybe places like darkest Africa, where free would be the choice of OSs, we cannot get to measure, not to mention other undeveloped countries. But you are right, it has small following in general.
When Google does launch it’s OS, you will find people who before were hesitant to try Linux, will all of a sudden flock to the new system – Ubuntu has done a great job of bringing Linux to the average user, but Google will create a huge wave – not overnight, but within 12 months every software developer will be adapting their system for compatibility of Chrome OS.
You mention that every person in front of a PC will now compete for your business, I agree, but it has already started – look at outsourcing from India, software development from anywhere in the world. Legal will be slower in the adoption of non-local services, as it is determined by local law – but new software systems will come from anywhere and those that are quick to use the “disruptive” software, will end up with the competitive edge – sure they will burn their fingers from time to time, but I would imagine the trick would be to test properly before implementation.
Not to mention the price of systems coming through will be a fraction of the current prices paid.
In conclusion – you you are right, Google Chrome OS will change the way legal practices do business – for those that adapt, find niche markets and most important I think is building the trusted relationships – I think this will be a very positive change.