Not Predictions

Prediction is not my business. Recommendation is.

In early 2006, here are some:

Disney is in serious talks to buy Pixar. The deal would make Pixar CEO Steve Jobs the largest individual holder in Disney. Safe to guess that this deal will go through. This will free up Steve to focus exclusively on Apple, while leveraging Disney. R: Steve should now make gaining PC market share his #1 agenda and free the world from Windows tyranny.

Autodesk COO Carl Bass was named president and CEO, as Carol Bartz moves up to Executive Chairman. Earlier, Autodesk announced a strategic alliance with Microsoft that is intended to eventually bring business and technical productivity improvements to manufacturers. Specifically, the companies will integrate Autodesk’s engineering data management (EDM) software with Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS) enterprise resource planning (ERP). R: Microsoft should buy Autodesk this year.

The digital content and media industries have turned upside down in 2005. Finally, a business model has emerged, making online content & communities viable. R: Entrepreneurs, VCs & LBO firms should focus heavily on this industry, as the resulting discontinuity opens up many opportunities.

In India, growth conitinues at satisfactory rates. However, some reshuffle is in the works in terms of geographical focus. Bangalore infrastructure and human resource pool is crumbling. Other cities such as Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune and Delhi are also starting to become stretched. Infrastructure is now India’s biggest bottle-neck to support the growth. R: If you are looking at a new India operation, you need to look at places like Kolkata, Nagpur, Kanpur, Indore, Cochin.

More later.