Groupon Founder Andrew Mason Speaks aka Groupon Says No! Part 2.

I was very delighted to read Andrew Mason’s interview with NY times in an article titled “What’s Next For Groupon’s Founder” by Evelyn M. Rusli. I heard that the Groupon founder was quirky but had never read an interview from him. I expected a straightforward acknowledgement of rejecting Google and a clear explanation. Rather than an interview focusing completely on Google, Mason gave a short interview revealing more about himself and plans for Groupon.

Regardless, if you believe Groupon is smart or dumb for rejecting Google, Mason deserves credit for knowing how to dance well in an interview.

“We will also emulate Amazon in the sense that we don’t talk about the competition.”

“Luckily we don’t need to say anything. We just need to keep running our business. Most people don’t understand — I’ll just leave it at that.”

Andrew Mason does not want to talk about others. Instead he gives credit to Amazon, and completely blocks any attempt to talk about his competition (which had just been purchased by Amazon) or any one else who blasts his company. He takes the time to talk about Groupon. Later in the article, Mason mentioned “being good” and fun because he believes it to be the best motivator and gives him room to be himself. It seems this positivity extends to public statements. So, if there is a fundamental problem that prevented the Google takeover, Mason is not going to reveal it.

Mason leaves no room for misinterpretation. He was asked about the value of his company and the possibility of selling to a larger company. Both questions were not answered. While admitting his expectation for Groupon to be “big”, he doesn’t monetarily define “big”. Some may believe he doesn't know but if my company was consistently being questioned about its true value, I wouldn’t entertainment the doubt with a value either. I would continue to focus on my company’s success so as to let it speak for itself. Mason is clearly doing so. Besides, whatever number he would give would only further the debate about whether Google over valued the company.

The other mentionable aspect of the interview is his clear response to “What value do you think a partnership with Groupon adds?” His answer is a sentence-by-sentence plan for small businesses that chose to work with Groupon. This proves to me, the reader, that while quirks and vague answers can be fun regarding other companies and business rejections, it has no place regarding Groupon’s bread and butter, small businesses. Mason’s response means to me that he is careful with his wording because he expects small businesses to be reading.

The interview left me thinking that whatever the future holds for Groupon, Andrew Mason plans on grooming the company well and fostering good valuable relationships with local/ small businesses. Regarding the quirky side of Mason, I’ll let Mason’s words speak for themselves:

“I don’t want to go on the record. I like the idea of just leaving that little tidbit out there, like what happens at the end of Sopranos or something.”