This video will show you 10 worst business decision in the history
1.Ross Perot passes on Microsoft for cheap
Ross Perot didn't view Gates' $40-to-$60 million asking price as reasonable, and thus opted not to make a move. It was 1979, and Perot's Electronic Data Systems was worth about $1b. The company was looking to invest in a small computer company, and saw Microsoft as an attractive option because it could potentially supply valuable software. Perot later told the Seattle Times that it was "one of the biggest business mistakes I've ever made."
2.IBM allows MS to retain copyright for DOS platform
In 1980, when IBM approached Gates to develop an operating system, he took the opportunity, providing PC-DOS in exchange for $80,000 with the stipulation that Microsoft could retain the copyright for the platform. Microsoft in turn created the MS-DOS system, bringing forth a software revolution.
3.Excite passes on Google for $750,000
Today, Google is valued over $180 billion, a bit more than the $750,000 it could've commanded from Internet portal Excite in 1999. At the time, Excite was a highly-trafficked search engine that was at the forefront of the dot-com boom. Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, recognizing Excite's stature, attempted to sale their search engine for $1 million, eventually reducing their asking price by $250,000.
4.Edwin Drake fails to patent his oil drill
Stationed in Titusville, Darke spent a year looking for a solution without results. After employing a local blacksmith, he built a derrick of pine wood, surrounded the drill with a pipe to keep water out, and drilled for weeks until he finally procured the black gold. Unfortunately, Drake was later fired by his company and he lost all of his money on Wall Street.
5.Western Union passes on the telephone for $100,000
A communications giant with its telegraph monopoly, Western Union felt little need to take risks they deemed as unnecessary in 1876. Company president William Orton turned down Gardiner Greene Hubbard's offer to sell the patent to the telephone for a mere $100,000.
6.M&Ms passes on the opportunity to appear in E.T.
The Hershey Company can thank competitor Mars, Inc. for the success, as it turned down Amblin Productions when it approached it for permission to use the popular bite-sized chocolate candy. It's unclear why the decision was made, but many possible explanations have been offered through the years, including a rather mundane one claiming Mars had reached its advertising budget limit.
7.Ever-popular Coke introduces a new formula
Almost 100 years old in 1985, Coke was the world's leading soft drink and a marketing force. Drastic change certainly wasn't necessary, which is why so many Coke drinkers were perplexed when the company unveiled New Coke. A major aspect of the drink's appeal, in addition to the distinct taste, was the emotional connection it had formed with customers. That connection was compromised, causing a flurry of complaints to the company.
8.Decca Records passes on the Beatles
The Beatles' audition for Decca Records on New Year's Day 1961 was less than perfect, as the group was nervous and eager to earn a record deal. Even still, they felt good about their chances, and hoped to proceed with the next step of their careers. Ultimately, the decision was made by A&R representative Mike Smith to instead sign a local act from London, Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, the safer choice. Decca's reasoning was that "guitar groups are on the way out." The Beatles went on to become the best-selling band in the history of the world, starting a cultural revolution in the process.
9.NBC and CBS pass on Monday Night Football
Baseball was famous in late '60s, but football was emerging as the country's passion. The impending AFL-NFL merger would cause the newly-minted league to explode in popularity and become an extremely valuable television property. Commissioner Pete Rozelle foresaw the success of a weekly primetime game, initially approaching CBS and NBC to negotiate a contract. Both networks were reluctant to reach a deal.
Rozelle then went to last-placed ABC, which was more open to the idea, and
Monday Night Football
became one of the longest-running highest-rated tv series of all time.
10.ABC passes on The Cosby Show
In the mid-'80s, ABC Entertainment Division President Lewis Erlicht received Cosby's first pitch, but turned it down because, according to Erlicht, Cosby asked for a commitment without providing substance such as a script or pilot episode.
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10 Most Stupid Business Decisions in History
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