Google Develops Like Stem Cells

BusinessWeek has an interesting view on Google brand:

What naysayers don't understand is that the DNA of the Google brand is unlike anything ever seen in the modern market landscape. Google is actually the first company with a brand that is built entirely of stem cells: able to grow and develop into whatever form it sees fit. In the future, many a company will learn the hard way that Google's mission statement, "to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful," is the anthem behind Google becoming a jack-of-all-trades... and master of all.

But can Google can extend in so many directions (communications, marketplace, entertainment, local search, hardware) without losing its core values? Shouldn't they focus on what they know best, that is search? Of course, Google treats most of the products they launch as experiments: some succeed, some fail. They have a good platform for testing interesting projects and have many bright engineers. But many times brand extension means dilution.

Explanation

Stem cells = Cells that can differentiate into many different cell types when subjected to the right biochemical signals. Stem cells are a promising new therapeutic approach to treating CNS disorder. The most versatile stem cells, called pluripotent stem cells, are present in the first days after an egg is fertilized by sperm. Researchers believe they can coax stem cells to become whatever tissues patients need. Stem cells come from embryos, bone marrow and umbilical chords.