July 7, 2008 10:29AM

Jerry Yang, It’s Me the Shareholder

By Cheryl Casone

There was a book I read when I was a kid, and I know most girls read it from my generation. It was called “Hi God, It’s Me Margaret” by Judy Bloom. She needed advice and guidance on growing up.

The shareholders at Yahoo need advice and guidance from Jerry Yang. Where is he? Sometimes you can be a great entrepreneur, the “go to” guy or gal who always has the next big idea. But is Jerry Yang necessary? The stock is jumping on words from his main nemesis Carl Icahn that if Jerry Yang goes, Microsoft and Steve Ballmer would come back into the picture.

Jerry are you listening? It’s your shareholders, and they are upset. You have not proven to them you can turn around a company that is under fire from Google, your media inititatives have not worked out. You are a search engine, and a brand name website, but evolving to the next level doesn’t seem like something you have a handle on. I realize you were there in Silicon Valley when I was.  I know what it feels like to see your net worth, on paper anyway, erode. But Jerry, you are going to have to change with the times.

I would never “short” Carl Icahn, and he is not done. In fact, this latest swing at you is a big sign. Time to put up or shut up, because your shareholders are losing patience.  Maybe Sue Decker should step in? She doesn’t seem to have the eyes of a proud parent when dealing with the business of running Yahoo.

I get it, I’ve started shows and now a business network, and you are proud of what you begin, but all things eventually change and sometimes end.  Jerry, it’s time to hand over the reins.

CC