Direct link to article(s):

• MarketWatch #1 – Online video running wild (Oct 7, 2006)
• MarketWatch #2 – Google seen in talks to buy YouTube (Oct 6, 2006)
• MorningStar – Google reportedly in talks to acquire video site YouTube (Oct 6, 2006) – same as above

The list of buyout candidates include Revver Inc., which unlike YouTube has in place a revenue-generating model and has a much better track record when it comes to navigating copyright restrictions, said Jay Meattle, an associate with Compete Inc.

A customer is the most important visitor on our premises.
He is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him.
He is not an interruption in our work – he is the purpose of it.
We are not doing him a favour by serving him. He is doing us a favour by giving us the opportunity to serve him.

- Mahatma Gandhi

What I hope is the first of many: Compete Consumer Services (the stuff I’ve been deeply involved with @ Compete) is a finalist at the 11th Annual MITX awards in the Community/Blogs category! Great job team!

The finalists:

1. Spherion Career Blog – The Big Time
   Backbone Media for Spherion
2. Compete Consumer Services
   Compete, Inc.
3. HeyLetsGo Web site
   Corey McPherson Nash for HeyLetsGo
4. New Site Launch July 2006
   Gather.com
5. Complex.com
   Pixel Bridge Inc. for Complex
   

Good luck to all!

A little background about MITX:

Held annually by the Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange, the MITX Awards recognize excellence in the creation of interactive technologies designed, produced or developed in New England. Begun in 1996, the MITX Awards have grown to the largest and most prestigious awards competition in the country for technology innovations and celebrates the best creative and technological accomplishments emerging from New England. For more information go to www.mitxawards.org

In case you’re interested:

MITX Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
6:00pm – 9:00pm
Boston Copley Place Marriott
Get tickets here

“Good Entrepreneurs Are Missionaries” – John Doerr of Kleiner Perkins

What distinguishes companies led by mercenaries from those led by missionaries? While the two might seem similar at first glance, they are in fact very different, Doerr points out. “Mercenaries are driven by paranoia; missionaries are driven by passion,” he says. “Mercenaries think opportunistically; missionaries think strategically. Mercenaries go for the sprint; missionaries go for the marathon. Mercenaries focus on their competitors and financial statements; missionaries focus on their customers and value statements. Mercenaries are bosses of wolf packs; missionaries are mentors or coaches of teams. Mercenaries worry about entitlements; missionaries are obsessed with making a contribution. Mercenaries are motivated by the lust for making money; missionaries, while recognizing the importance of money, are fundamentally driven by the desire to make meaning.” (Source)