Daily Lessons from Life 29-30 June 2010 - Google to end rerouting of China users in 2 days - June 30, 2010

It is the last day of June 2010. Half year has gone by. I am still good in general on my 2010 Resolutions. Still continue to keep the discipline required to be successful. Despite some good habits being formed, it is still tempting to form BAD habits if I am not mindful of slipppage!

"June 30, 2010, 9.58 am (Singapore time) The Business Times - Google to end rerouting of China users in 2 days

SHANGHAI - Google Inc will end the automatic redirection of users from its China to its Hong Kong website within the next 24 to 48 hours, a Google spokesman said on Wednesday.

Google said late on Monday it would end the automatic rerouting of users to its Hong Kong search site, which gives unfiltered search results, after Beijing said it would not renew the firm's China operating licence if it continued."

The greatest show down between Google's 'Do No Evil' vs. the PRC government has come to an initial end with Google NOT able to totally stand up to its slogan: 'Do No Evil!'. Or has it some surprises for the Chinese government by pulling out of the China market TOTALLY?

Lessons for me are:

1. if you want to initiate changes, you have to be in there to be able to do it. Sticking to principle that does not mean life and death is not wise;

2. after placing big risk bet and going public with the spat, Google must be prepared to eat the so-called: humble pie, and back down - gracefully or otherwise. I said: so-called because if this 'eating of humble pie' is with strategic intent, it is a great master stroke. To stay in the game and then slowing infiltrate and change the rules of the game eventually. It will take great courage and vision to execute such a strategy. That is assuming the Chinese government allowed that;

3. the 2 founders of Google will really have to make that decision. To pull out totally or to play the game by the rules makers in Beijing - for now. If they are overly concerned with their detractors for backing down, they are not visionaries. The detractors are not smart enough to appreciate the need to eat humble pies to achieve the ultimate objective. Self-sacrifice must be made. Short term setbacks must be accepted. Then, there is the chance to effect change the way you like it. Influencing subtly, slowly, and unnoticeable!

May Google continue to operate in China if it wants to really change the world!