RIM

I much prefer to cover happy news stories related to BlackBerry phones, tablets, apps, games, accessories, etc. here on CrackBerry, but as the #1 Site for BlackBerry Users and Abusers we wouldn't be doing our jobs if we didn't also report back on at least some of the business stories related to Research In Motion that are taking place. Unfortunately, in the wake of their Q1 2012 Earnings, it has mainly been doom and gloom stories.

Despite their share price taking a tumble, I still have high hopes on the product development and sales front that RIM will plough through this transition and bring to market some killer new BlackBerry devices that will silence the hateration and kickstart the BlackBerry love again (and hopefully steepen their growth curve - remember, RIM is still growing... just not as fast as the street thinks they should be relative to the competition). But as if the the technical transition RIM is working through were not challenge enough, what I'm worried now makes the challenge even greater is the hostile investor and media environment RIM is now facing. Seriously, I'm not sure I've come across any stories written positively about RIM or BlackBerry in the last few weeks (if you have, drop the urls in the comments so I can check them out!). Heck, I've even coined the term and hashtag #RIMAGEDDON to sum it all up.

And while I do dismiss many of the RIMAGEDDON opinion pieces out there that I've read as simply jumping on the anti-RIM bandwagon which has apparently become quite fashionable (it's an easy story to write and give an opinion on these days), you can't really deny stories that are based on fact that could make RIM's road ahead more difficult. I don't think Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie being downgraded from billionaire status to millionaire status will actually hurt the pair's egos one bit (if anything, they're going to be more motivated than ever), but what may hurt a little more is the shareholder resolution that'll go up for vote on July 12th at RIM's annual meeting that seeks to break up the existing structure. Currently, both Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie hold the positions of Co-CEO and Co-Chairmans of the Board. While this practice may be a little irregular, on the last earnings calls Mike and Jim told investors they grew this company together and the best way to push the company through the transition and into its next phase of success is together.

From what I gather, changing the current structure is not someting the Mike and Jim want to do. If it turns out that shareholders demand otherwise, I'm not sure how it will impact RIM. I typically view change as a good thing, but more change on top of a period of change/transition might be too much change. 

If you're a shareholder or just paying attention to this story and how it will play out, be sure to vote on the poll above and weigh in on the debate in the comments. I'm really curious to see where CrackBerry Nation stands on the leaders of BlackBerry Nation.

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