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3 Responses to “Microsoft loses another one to Google…”

1. JB says:

   6/30/2006 at 8:27 am

   In the long run, this may turn into a positive for Microsoft. Why? Well consider the following:

   1- These are Microsoft leaders that have been shaping new and future products. Their ideas, approaches, and vision will be expressed in future Google products. If done right, it will mean better and tighter integration between user experiences. Notice, I did not say products.

   2- This will give Microsoft a chance to bring in new leaders with their own vision. Maybe it will reinvigorate the company with a more entrepreneurial attitude. It could also turn Microsoft into the Sun/SCO of the future. We will have to wait and see.

   3- We are getting hints out of Redmond that they are already looking post-Windows. If true, it could be they need new technical leaders that understand Bill’s vision so that it can be implemented. Imagine not understanding what the boss wants because it is so cutting edge and abstract. Maybe the vision at Google is more clear or muddy enough that you can get by.

   4- Now the inevitable sports analogy. The best way a marginal or great player can increase the value of their NFL contract is to participate on a Super Bowl team. In many cases, players that move to other teams do not perform at the same level and are considered a mistake by fans. Well managed teams (think New England) don’t miss a beat and replace these players to keep winning. Sometimes the teams get better with less talent, but more team cohesion. Will this happen at Microsoft?

   I am bullish on Microsoft and their future. I do not see these moves as rats jumping off a sinking ship, but more individuals cashing in their chips to make more money.

2. Deji says:

   6/30/2006 at 10:32 am

   Why does it have to stop? Who says it has to stop? Loyalty is reciprocal. Corporations have consistently shown that they are not at other end of the street, so why must employees continue to walk on that street?

   Corporations have shown that where employees’ and investors’/executives’ interests conflict, they are willing and ready to sacrifice employees.

   So, again, I ask – why should it stop? More power to employees who can find greener pasture elsewhere and who are not shy about giving the deserved middle-fingers to executives who fire 1,000s of lowly employees and get rewarded with millions of dollars at the end of the year.

3. joe says:

   7/8/2006 at 10:12 am

   JB:
   Good thoughts. The main thing I find so interesting is the long standing Loyalty that did exist with MSFT employees seems to have been slowly dissolving more and more over the years. I know the folks I talk to inside of MSFT have a much different view on the company than folks did years ago. Microsoft for a long time now has been a large company being run like a small company and that especially applies to internal communication and I speculated that it would really start to wear on folks as they weren’t able to accomplish as much as they used to and would run into more and more issues relating to size and lack of communication. It just kills morale when you are constantly frustrated.

   I think MSFT will figure things out, at least as long as Bill maintains some level of control. Without Bill, I am not sure what I would bet on with MSFT, several times now it has been a radical change in Bill’s outlook that has made the company turn around from something that wasn’t working.

   Deji:
   Some bee got in your bonnet I see. 🙂 I agree, companies do not tend to show the same loyaties to employees that they expect from employees.