Agreed -- the post had a very bitter/almost jealous tone.
I'm not sure this writing would accomplish more than simply putting your head down and continuing to build the products you claimed are already much better.
I loved that politically incorrect blog post. It summarizes what a private company can say in contrast with a public company where each word is precisely crafted to handle the expectations.
Zoho has so-so products, but at least their founder has the right philosophy to invest in R&D, to focus on organic growth and to take care of their products, employees & customers vs. Benioff's failed M&A strategy, which is done to sustain more and more expensive growth and their sky high valuation multiples.
Have you ever used Salesforce as a product?
I tried it and cancelled within a week; it's super-clunky & complicated. He's got great marketing, but the product is crap.
Dismissing Zoho's points based on the author's tone is a bit shortsighted don't you think?
Benioff's headcount is ludicrous when you compare the # of staff he has to 37signals on any reasonable metric ($ of sales per employee across any business function).
I'm not sure this writing would accomplish more than simply putting your head down and continuing to build the products you claimed are already much better.