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Microsoft to acquire LinkedIn for $26.2 billion


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Microsoft is announcing today that it plans to acquire LinkedIn for $26.2 billion. Microsoft’s deal to acquire the work-focused social networking giant is an all-cash transaction, and it will value LinkedIn’s shares at $196 each. Microsoft says LinkedIn will retain its own brand and independence, and existing CEO Jeff Weiner will remain and report directly to Satya Nadella.

"The LinkedIn team has grown a fantastic business centered on connecting the world’s professionals," Nadella said. "Together we can accelerate the growth of LinkedIn, as well as Microsoft Office 365 and Dynamics as we seek to empower every person and organization on the planet." Microsoft is planning to close its acquisition later this year, and the deal has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies.

This is Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's first big acquisition since he took over the top job more than two years ago. Microsoft is positioning the combination as the "world's leading professional cloud" together with the "world's leading professional network." It's clear this is a big acquisition for Microsoft, both in terms of cash value and what LinkedIn brings to the company. More than 433 million people use LinkedIn worldwide to network, find jobs, and reconnect with old colleagues. Many of those LinkedIn users also pay for premium services to use the site.

Microsoft isn't saying exactly what it will use its LinkedIn acquisition for, but it's easy to imagine it being used as a key way to boost the company's social networking presence. Microsoft did invest in Facebook in the relatively early stages, but the company has struggled to break into enterprise social networks. Microsoft spent $1.2 billion on Yammer back nearly four years ago, but businesses haven't flocked to the tool as much as Microsoft had hoped. The software giant now plans to hold a conference call at 11:45AM ET to discuss its LinkedIn acquisition, and we'll update you accordingly with any additional details.

http://www.theverge.com/2016/6/13/11920072/microsoft-linkedin-acquisition-2016

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Guest Blacksheet
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British Nigerian is eBay’s top seller with £15m per year

Chinedu 'Ken' Emechebe, 37, started selling phone accessories from his bedroom in 2008
23/07/2015 10:44 AM
UNIVERSAL_GADGETS.jpg

TOP OF THE LIST: Universal Gadgets, Chinedu 'Ken' Emechebe's online shop on eBay

A BRITISH Nigerian who began selling phone accessories on eBay from his two-bedroom flat in London seven years ago makes over £15m per year on the online auction site.

Chinedu 'Ken' Emechebe, 37, topped the list of the most successful online sellers when eBay released its first ever power list.

The Power 30 UK Index ranks the site's biggest 30 independent sellers and reveals they have an average annual turnover of nearly £4million.

Emechebe, 37, who sells under the name universalgadgets01 employs around 45 people to help with eBay sales.

The father-of-two, who makes up to £1.5m per month, said: "I think the great thing about eBay is just from day one the ease of selling makes it great for small businesses.

"On eBay everything is set up for you. Yes you pay your fees, but you would have to pay for advertising costs if you went on Google.

"eBay sets you up, it has millions of people who come on to the website every day, and all these people who are on there are looking for products and deals."

Mr Emechebe sells around 2,500 items a day on eBay, with most of the goods coming directly from factories around the world. Among his most popular items are the iPhone 5, ethernet cables and headphones.

He said: "We outgrew the house and moved into our first warehouse about a year and a half after starting the business and at the moment we are in our fourth warehouse. We have just grown since then.

" we have been doing this for a while and we understand the market. We understand what most people on eBay want. Customer service is number one and we have to keep the customer happy."

There are more than 200,000 UK business selling on eBay, plus millions of private sellers, generating an estimated £6billion of sales in the UK every year.

 

hmm i dunno unah i think it might be easy

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Pros

- Most up to date database in the world  where users actually update their own data

- Microsoft will have millions of developers and starters licking their lips at developing apps or plugins for LinkedIn on Microsoft.  

- Scope for Microsoft to incorporate some predictive analytics to allow HR departments to find replacements for employees before they leave (ie those with a similar course history, work history and skills)through an actually app, rather than manually searching. Abit like Southampton do with managers and players. 

 

Cons

- They are quite agile at the moment. A big takeover like this will delay decision process, us vs them mentality with some employees. More layers of approval added. More guidelines to follow etc

- One of their biggest USPs with companies was trust, being independent and operating a privacy first model

 

26 billion is a crazy amount, but this data is priceless imo. Great purchase. Other big B2B companies won't be happy with this. 

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