The document discusses recommendations for MySpace regarding Google's Open Social platform. It suggests that MySpace should not enter into the Open Social platform for three key reasons: 1) It could compromise customer privacy by sharing personal data. 2) It would strip MySpace of its differentiation by making it similar to competitors. 3) It would be difficult to develop innovative, own-branded products on a shared platform rather than a proprietary one. The document advocates for MySpace creating its own functional platform to stay true to its organizational and IT commitments.

5. The threat of entry of new competitors The bargaining power of suppliers The bargaining power of customers The threat of substitute products or services The rivalry among existing firms in the industry

6. Innovation strategy

7. It is in the opinion o f those who partook in this study that MySpace not enter into Google’s Open Social platform. The reasons, as to why we enter this opinion, come from the thought that we must stay constant with our organizational commitments. Some of these commitments are to stay faithful to the customer by not entering any personal data on the customer that may be used to take away the privacy of the individual. Also, we feel that this undertaking will strip MySpace of the very thing that has lead to its success in the past, differentiation. Even with the attractive lure of a minuscule investment, we feel that MySpace should think of retaining its competitive advantage with long-range goals. We know that some will ask the question, “This deal will give us the ability to stay on top now.” We feel that even though this statement is true, it lacks one key ingredient. How will the customer view our product. We feel that by enter into this deal, we will be 1.) just giving the user something that they have grown to expect and use from our competitors, and 2.) making it harder to develop own brand of innovative products that may be enjoyed by the user. For these reasons we feel that MySpace should seek to make its own functional platform, so that we may keep to our organizational and IT commitments.