Here's why Jerry Yang is all wet as CEO

So, I'm sitting at my desk listening to the Yahoo conference call, and Jerry Yang is droning on about how the restructured deal with AT&T will work to the great benefit of both companies. Oh brother.

I know this is a niggling detail but why can't Yang just come right out and acknowledge the truth? Everybody knows what happened here. AT&T has long wanted to rewrite the terms of an agreement that was heavily weighted in Yahoo's favor. Yahoo wanted to continue the deal, but AT&T wanted a fairer deal--or else it would walk. No big deal. That's the nature of business.

Yahoo made the right decision but it's going to cost more than a few shekels. But instead of honestly addressing the renegotiated contract, Yang ran a bunch of business-speak jive about how wonderful this all is. Yeah, sure, Jerry. (At least his CFO allowed that there would be a near-term hit.)

But more to the point: a great corporate leader shoulders the responsibility for making tough decisions. But did Yang mention anything in his prepared comments about the 1,000 or so people Yahoo is planning to fire? Nope. Again, he left that one to his lieutenant--the news came 39 minutes into the conference call.

Here's the problem with so many tech CEOs these days. They think and speak in PR-scripted monotones and sound like Stepford-like robot clones. Honestly, I'd prefer to rip out my brains with a plastic fork than suffer through most of these gasbag deliveries. But it's earnings time, and if you want to learn what these clowns are thinking, it's a cross we must bear.

[nicmart]

Redux

I know its a niggling thing, but why does Charles Cooper think he
knows what constitutes a "fairer" deal between Yahoo and AT&T?
Apparently he thinks that fairness consists of Yahoo having less
money and AT&T having more, but why would he think that?

[charlie cooper]

Coop responds

Well, Charles Cooper is responding to you (talking in the 3rd person.) It really doesn't matter one petunia what I think constitutes a "fairer deal." And that's not the point here. AT&T was going to get a bigger cut of the pie - or walk. And that's going to hit Yahoo's bottom line. Nothing much they could do about that, I suppose. Unless you've got a brainstorm you'd care to share.

[Galaxy5]

What the hell?

Are you talking about? Want to give us some context?

How about comparing Yang to someone who does it right? I know
you hate Apple and Steve Jobs with a passion, but you might
mention that he does a much better job than Yang at giving out
news - good and bad.

[charlie cooper]

Huh?

I hate Apple & Steve Jobs with a passion? I hope you don't get offended, dude, but you're entirely off base with that blunderbuss accusation. And for the record, I'm a Mac owner, FWIW

[Jack K1]

the clowns

What the clowns are thinking is simple: "I hope these bozos are buying this load of crap?" But whatever it is they're telling you, it's certainly not what they are thinking. They are telling you what they want you to think.

Jack

[krosavcheg]

Heavens sake, cut Jerry a break

Jerry is just playing the game like everyone one on wall street. Why single him out if all the other PR-coached CEOs are making the same scripted speech. If Jerry had been forthcoming as you put it, wall street would have creamed him and tank yahoo stock.

[skillingssucks]

Yahoo! is finished. Yang is clueless!

Yang sat there for all those years while Semel ruined Yahoo! and he didn't say a word. If it wasn't for an activist shareholder Semel would probably still be there now. Most founders haven't a clue how to run a mature business and Yang has more than proven that he's no exception.

[rayramon]

It's Wall Street's Fault

The reason company execs must speak this way is because they are under intense scrutiny and pressure from "Wall Street". Every word, every pause, every phrase will affect their STOCK PRICE.

In a way, most CEOs have to be all wet I think - especially those in public companies.

Ramon Ray, Editor & Technology Evangelist - http://www.smallbiztechnology.com