We hosted a forum for 30 really smart, optimistic and fun technical experts yesterday and I opened the session by being down right gloomy. Have you ever given a speech where you finished and said “man- that’s not what I wanted?” Well. That was me yesterday.

What I came to realize after getting over the regret was a) the people in that room were very smart and b) without a true paradigm shift, the risk of change can feel high. But we are there and we must.

In that light, I suggest the time has come for the smartest of the companies that remain to stop playing safe. It’s time to launch hostile takeover offers for your peer companies using your equity. The series this week has focused on consolidation- the benefits, the challenges and social issues and the fact that they aren’t avoidable. So deal with it.

Yet you have c-suites and Boards that resist change. Why?  You go on my board, I’ll go on yours. Let’s not rock the boat.  I really like my Comp package and it’s in cash not stock.

But you know what…let’s. Governance is a joke. If you are strong- it’s time to get going. So pick your weakest peer, submit an offer (publicly) and let’s get after it.

So your peer sends you a letter, just do as you are told. It will work out better.

#hottakeoftheday