Simple Ways to Save RIM

By Thea Neuman (Google)

While few critics are recommending RIM to consider a sale off option, some well wishers are advising them to stay focused on their work. The battle to face everything (that too altogether), is certainly a tough one but looking at history, we can say that every company, whether big or small, had to face problems. For instance, looking at Apple now, it is difficult to realize that once it was on the verge of bankruptcy.

The way Apple’s co-founder Steve Jobs fought back with market problems to save the company is beyond one’s wildest dreams. It is pointless to say that it needs a lot of guts chalking out an effective strategy to deal with numerous problems simultaneously. Steve Jobs did that, and now all eyes are fixed on Heins – will he will be able to create another leadership example which will be remembered in tech-history?

All Heins needs to do is maintain a firm grip on the situation and look for possibilities through which he can save RIM. “Where there is a will there is a way”. Indeed that’s very true because if Heins really wants to sort out things in the fastest manner, there are a couple of solutions which he can try.

Simplify

Simplification of product line is the first thing which Heins can start with. Currently RIM’s smartphone portfolio consists of 22 models. This is a kind of trap for none other than RIM itself because one handset is eating away the sales of another, which shouldn’t happen. In order to generate revenues, it’s not necessary that a company keeps on expanding its product line, wasting useful resources on useless expansion. The simpler the product line, the easier it becomes to chalk out an effective strategy, so Heins should think about this.

Sale Off?

Sale off should be the last resort for RIM. Sale off talk or merger or acquisition talk does nothing but divert the leader’s mind. At present, Heins should stick to his optimistic outlook and must co-ordinate with outside professionals who have been hired by RIM for some valuable advices to improve its present scenario.

Dump Extras

What can be the simplest way to improve the situation than dumping the products that aren’t getting any market value? Letting go of Playbook can be a good thing for RIM as it is not drawing any customers anyway.

Apps

If you ask me as a user, the main problem with Blackberry is its lack of cool apps. Add a kazillion apps there like Apple and Android and watch the market grow.

Get a Visionary

It has been long time since Heins was hired for CEO post. Critics and RIM’s own investors have started questioning Heins’ capabilities because Steve jobs had a very short deadline (of about 90 days) to save Apple Inc. and he did a commendable job by making the impossible, possible. If Heins wants to prove himself, he will have to take inspiration from Steve Jobs or he will have to accept his incapability. Clearing a way for an effective leader should be on Heins’ mind if he has realized that he can’t do much for the company.

Layoff

RIM has already worked on its lay-off plans, and they might have to take it to another level. There are some extra products in the market, and if they are closed down, there will be more layoffs.

Stick to keyboard

It seems that whatever market Blackberry has, is just because of its keyboard. If they plan to cut that out from Blackberry 10, they will face another major setback. Virtual keyboard isn’t something that will make people leave Apple and Android- it’s the apps. So it will be better for RIM to keep the physical keyboard.