You’ve no doubt heard the news: Carl Icahn has “taken a stake” in Lawson Software (NASDAQ:LWSN).
What exactly does this mean? Well, I wish I could tell you, but I sure don’t know. Except it can’t be good. If you’ve never heard of Icahn, just sample this tidbit from the Reuter’s article:
“Icahn has made billions investing in businesses that he believes are mismanaged or ripe for sale, then pushing the companies to improve their operations or sell themselves.”
Perhaps Icahn heard that Lawson has embraced cloud computing, and wants in?
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Interesting news. Icahn has had a really impressive track record over the years, but his recent interaction with Yahoo! (and huge loss he took) makes me wonder…
On the other hand, Lawson really fits his model for what kind of company to turn-around.
::fingers crossed::
I wonder if the plan is to turn Lawson around or to spruce it up for an acquisition…
I wonder if he has a stake in any other ERP providers. If so, is a merger in the future?
Carl Icahn’s goal is to make profits for Carl Icahn regardless of the effects of his actions on his targets’ customers, employees or product. Those effects are only an interesting by-catch. In any business transaction, there are winners and losers. Whatever side of that equation benefits, he will claim ownership for having caused that “win” and then move on.
However, the validity of his arguements for “shareholder interests” in his puruit of his personal gain may deserve review and action if necessary. Based on my experience with Lawson’s products, support, and business model they need an overhaul.
Obviously my comments are based on no experience making billions of $, or corportate raiding.