The execution of an idea is worth as much if not more, as the idea itself.

Moneyquote: "How can that be? The question is explored in a new article from Remapping Debate, a public policy e-journal. Its author, Kevin C. Brown, writes that “the salient difference is that, in Germany, the automakers operate within an environment that precludes a race to the bottom; in the U.S., they operate within an environment that encourages such a race.”"

Maybe Steve Jobs was on to something.

Moneyquote: "The phenomenon is upending the corporate market, which has traditionally hinged on electronics makers cultivating tight relationships with I.T. departments. Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Research in Motion, maker of the BlackBerry, have long dominated the workplace, but Apple and its consumer-friendly blockbusters — the iPhone, iPad and MacBook — have made major inroads."

In other words, when companies let their employees choose their tools, they choose Apple. And more companies are letting their employees choose.

What a novel concept for executive compensation.

Great analysis on this monster merger.

To me, this theory is somewhat right. Yes, the enormous cash reserves that companies like Microsoft and Google have allows them to be insulated from consequences of bad execution. And being comfortable for far too long can cause companies to become indifferent, arrogant and slow when they used to be humble, hungry and agile. Two great examples of this is Microsoft and Research in Motion.

However, I'm not too sure if this applies for Google's situation. They make money in advertising and collected information. There's a new era of computing coming. Focusing on mobility and cloud computing. There are no firmly established players yet. And Google cannot afford to be left behind. That's where Google's cash cows may aid, not hurt.

A must-read for entrepreneurs.

A race to the bottom.