This isn’t your parents Microsoft.
Last week, Microsoft put out some big news and also made a move not often seen made within well-known large corporate businesses but has been equally telling. Let’s start with the big news. On June 14th, Microsoft announced that they were acquiring LinkedIn in a $26.2 billion cash deal to join as an independently controlled segment of the growing tech company, while maintaining the distinct LinkedIn brand.
Here at the Bag, we love the implications of this deal for business users. In addition to the obvious securing of LinkedIn’s position as the go to network for business professionals, this acquisition also provides an opportunity for some interesting technology collaboration between the two platforms.
Here are two examples that we would like to see:
- The combination paves the way for an integrated platform between LinkedIn and Microsoft Outlook. Our dream is that in collaboration with Outlook, LinkedIn could act as a complex address book, allowing networking and connecting faster and easier between individuals all over the world.
- A merge of LinkedIn’s profile and live feed, and Outlook’s personal information and calendar may not be far off in the future. This could help lead to more connections and benefits to all existing users. Accomplishing social business at its best.
The second piece of news that no one saw coming last week is proof that Microsoft is using its will as in addition to its wallet. Last Friday, they announced a partnership with a software company called Kind Financial that allows tracking of the legal growth and sale of marijuana plants from an enterprise and customer management perspective. No other business in corporate America has really stepped out in such a way to engage in this industry. With bold steps such as these, we think Microsoft is showing the type of muscle it exercised during its growth years and we like it!
The potential stemming from the Microsoft-LinkedIn collaboration is endless, and we can’t wait to see what they have planned for the future of business and social networking.
What do you hope to see come out of the collaboration of these two power companies?