My good pal and sometime ROI sparring partner Hugh MacLeod has Microsoft’s Channel Partner group as a client. Congratulations Hugh though to be fair that was all pretty predictable. There’s an interesting debate going on as to whether Hugh will be able to weave his magic at The Big Blue Monster.
I’m dubious. As Robert Scoble said in comments:
That is the condundrum of working at Microsoft. You have lots of resources (although they never really let the average employee go crazy) and lots of customers and lots of products. But lately Gates and Co have been fairly conservative. Particularly when it comes to the Internet.
That is the conundrum for all large, relatively mature software companies. And I don’t really understand why.
Automotive companies have to innovate all the time or they go out of business. But the smart automakers have figured out where their real skills lay. It isn’t in making the engine, the gear box or any of the other major components. It’s just about in the assembly. But it’s really in the design and marketing. Even then, the actual manufacture and sale of cars is a near dead break even. Any money is made in the aftermarket.
The automotive industry is over 100 years old.
The computer business as we currently know it is little more than 40 years old.
The kind of transformation that needs to be wrought at Microsoft will take more than a Channel Partner campaign like this from Kris:
Well, in this space, we’re not going to establish relevance with dinosaurs or dancing office workers. So, we came to embrace the phenomenon of transparency, sharing ideas, contributions. (which, by the way, is why we are offering $1,000 cash at the show to the best idea on where we should invest our $500,000 in Web developers next year).
Interpretation:
We’ve got close to 70,000 people working around the world and we can’t find a damned thing that will make the world think Microsoft rocks. Kerrching! We’ll give a $1,000 to the first person to come and show us a world beating investment idea. Oh yes – it’ll probably need to run on SharePoint and leverage the Office suite.
Discussion:
Like Robert, I’m not going to bet against Microsoft too quickly. But…I’m sure someone will get the $1,000 and Microsoft will get some good ideas. Maybe even a future winner. I hope it does. But does Microsoft really think the coolest ideas will be sold out for that kind of money? I sincerely hope not. So watch those Terms & Conditions before dropping your entry into the box. Check this:
Understand and acknowledge that the Promotion Parties may have developed or commissioned materials similar or identical to your submission and you waive any claims you may have resulting from any similarities to your entry.
Please note that following the end of this Contest your entry may be posted on a website selected by us for viewing by visitors to that website. The Promotion Parties (which is defined below) are not responsible for any unauthorized use of your entry by visitors to this website. While we reserve these rights, we are not obligated to use your entry for any purpose, even if it has been selected as a winning entry. If you do not want to grant us these rights to your entry, please do not enter this Contest.
Lame.
I hope Hugh can do something about that.
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