tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post113345658838582494..comments2024-03-18T12:52:48.117-07:00Comments on Mini-Microsoft: Holiday Cheer and Think Week, in moderationWho da'Punkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18205453956191063442noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-65664696006159166822010-07-10T14:59:26.393-07:002010-07-10T14:59:26.393-07:00It's heading for five years since I last poste...It's heading for five years since I last posted this one...<br /><br />To the tune of "Hey Mickey!" by Toni Basil (And Jesus, Wikipedia is still good for something, after all these years):<br /><br />Oh Mini, you're so fine,<br />You're so fine, you blow my mind, hey Mini... hey Mini (rpt twice)<br /><br />You've been around all night, and that's a little long<br />You think you've got it right, but Balmer says you're wrong<br />Why can't we say goodnight, so you can post from home, Mini?<br /><br />Cuz when I try to use my Kin,<br />It says it fuckin' can't<br />It's givin' me the chills,<br />and it breaks my fuckin' heart!<br />Every night you still<br />Leave me all alone, Mini!<br /><br />Oh Mini, what a pity, you don't understand?<br />You take us by the balls, with your sexy paper bag!<br />Oh Mini, you're so pretty. What's you master plan?<br />Will you run us on the rocks, or will you save us from the man...?<br /><br />Eh, mini?<br />Eh, mini?<br /><br />(These lyrics are posted "as is", without warranty of any kind, etc. Feel free to delete, extend or pervert them to your heart's content.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1140732082949264582006-02-23T14:01:00.000-08:002006-02-23T14:01:00.000-08:00The problem I see in a lot of these posts is sheer...The problem I see in a lot of these posts is sheer arrogance! No kidding! Microsoft hires CS majors, most just out of school, who have never had a full time job anywhere before hire. They are clueless! And worse, they whine and complain about their job while they receive some of the most unbelievable benefits I have ever seen. They should put in some quality time in a cubicle at a different company. Just being a CS major doesn't mean you are better than every other employee on earth. If you don't like your very nice job at Microsoft (where you can scream at other people without getting fired), then why do you stay? And I mean that sincerely. Be the sacrificial lamb and quit. Most companies don't promote you by levels- you are stuck where you are until your manager leaves. And Microsoft is a publicly held company- it has to answer to investors. Empoyees don't decide the compensation packages. All companies have problems. But being an EMPLOYEE at Microsoft is a stroke of very good luck. Should they hire so many non-Americans? Probably not until they have recruited from every American college and company. But that would take time and energy that HR doesn't seem to care about. It is bizarre that they bring in interns for interviews and sometimes the intern, who could have fit somewhere nicely, gets sent home without a job. Somehow though, hiring CS majors right out of college seems to create the problems with immaturity and lack of ability to manage. But there is nothing like reading a bunch of people whining about their life at a huge company that gives them a private office, a huge benefit package and reasonable job security. Microsoft is no longer a company that will make you a millionaire just because you show up for work! Get over it. It had its day in the sun and the lucky people from those days are probably still smiling. They know the definition of serendipity. Msft is now like every other huge company- but more successful. Oh- and as for all the resentment towards the higher levels- just be glad it isn't YOU who is responsible for getting a product out the door. If you want that responsibility and the headaches and meetings that go with it, then get cracking. Start leading and taking intiative. And then don't give up for about 12 years. If your attitude is "I'm not giving one extra second", well,I don't see how you can complain when you get a 3.0 and no compensation. It's still a COMPANY. It needs improvement, and alot of posters here have nailed the management problems- maybe more inservice for management OR a high power management intervention team that literally goes from team to team to correct the problems. Microsoft has not benefitted from its sprawl. Those problems are solvable. But the whining about the salary and reviews- get real.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134539417226112682005-12-13T21:50:00.000-08:002005-12-13T21:50:00.000-08:00the bench - this is the set of partners who can ta...<I>the bench - this is the set of partners who can take over vp job...</I><BR/><BR/>Not exactly. This iteration of the bench program (which I believe is the 3rd since I've been in HR?!) actually has two tracks: one for partners aka "Partner Bench" and one for lower folks aka "Member Bench". The idea is that people chosen for Partner bench are on track to make VP and generally already level 68+ ("E" potential). Member bench is the same thing for people on track to be partners ("P" potential).<BR/><BR/>But don't tell ANYONE! If employees knew about this, managers would have the tough duty to actually manage and explain to their people why they aren't in the Bench and *gasp* give them feedback on how they could get there or *gasp**gasp* that they never could.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134295162360442322005-12-11T01:59:00.000-08:002005-12-11T01:59:00.000-08:00I think Sun-Apple-Google working together could ma...<I>I think Sun-Apple-Google working together could make life interesting for Redmond. Apple can pull developers onto its Intel platform. Google can become a download point for OpenOffice. SUN may (continue) to team with IBM to enforce open document standards. Its tough for press and analysts to ignore it when direct affronts are being made to Microsoft's monopoly franchise(s).</I><BR/><BR/>Not quite a full <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keiretsu" REL="nofollow">keiretsu</A> yet but it is already happening.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/jun/06intel.html" REL="nofollow">Apple to Use Intel Microprocessors Beginning in 2006</A><BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.sun.com/software/solaris/" REL="nofollow">Sun offers enterprise software as open source</A><BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://news.com.com/Google+throws+bodies+at+OpenOffice/2100-7344_3-5920762.html" REL="nofollow">Google throws bodies at OpenOffice</A><BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://blogs.zdnet.com/web2explorer/index.php?p=20" REL="nofollow">The Web-based Office will have its Day</A><BR/><BR/>Instead of just using Intel chips in computers it manufactures,it would be even more interesting if Apple had its operating system running on a desktop PC with a card (or cards) adding any extra hardware required either manufactured by them and/or someone else. You can already get Firewire cards for the PC.<BR/><BR/>That way the usage of Mac OS could spread more rapidly and be available to many more people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134254547555611402005-12-10T14:42:00.000-08:002005-12-10T14:42:00.000-08:00As long as they are in the dominant position and n...<I>As long as they are in the dominant position and nobody is coming up with anything to motivate the installed base to choose something different, why would they have to innovate in any dramatic way?</I><BR/><BR/>I think Sun-Apple-Google working together could make life interesting for Redmond. Apple can pull developers onto its Intel platform. Google can become a download point for OpenOffice. SUN may (continue) to team with IBM to enforce open document standards. Its tough for press and analysts to ignore it when direct affronts are being made to Microsoft's monopoly franchise(s).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134215256828006882005-12-10T03:47:00.000-08:002005-12-10T03:47:00.000-08:00Everybody (even those "bigwig" VPs) gets screwed s...<I>Everybody (even those "bigwig" VPs) gets screwed sometimes. It could be out of a job, a raise, a girlfriend, a puppy, whatever. Turning it into "all of Microsoft sucks" is wrong. A friend once asked me if MS was an ethical company. My answer was no, and neither is ANY OTHER CORPORATION ON EARTH.</I><BR/><BR/>Ken Dipietro got screwed in a good way then a bad way.<BR/><BR/>But, he's already rich so it is easier to take.<BR/><BR/>The rank and file don't have that cushion of wealth to thumb suck on after something bad happens to them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134214581927100252005-12-10T03:36:00.000-08:002005-12-10T03:36:00.000-08:00The direction its heading now, senior management w...<I>The direction its heading now, senior management will soon be presiding over a mass mutiny. Employees are demanding respect (or at least to work on something that is going to make them rich while they are being disrespected). If you can’t give them one situation or the other, they will leave.</I><BR/><BR/>Most people like a steady paycheck and don't want to take the risk of finding something new even if it would be better.<BR/><BR/>That's why Microsoft can lock up talent that would make other companies serious competition - by making employees feel safe and secure without making them rich.<BR/><BR/>Microsoft is a mature company that doesn't need to make employees rich - see India, see China, see Microsoft run.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134214079169326452005-12-10T03:27:00.000-08:002005-12-10T03:27:00.000-08:00What the heck? Are we trying to ensure that R2 is ...<I>What the heck? Are we trying to ensure that R2 is stillborn? I thought this was a big bullet item on the roadmap graphic. Is marketing asleep?</I><BR/><BR/>They'll let existing customers know about it first.<BR/><BR/>Stable technology is boring to mainstream news media. Rejoice in your "toasterness".<BR/><BR/>Wait for the "excitement" of Vista. A new release of a server product is always fun news after customers get their hands on it.<BR/><BR/>Gartner will come out with their boiler plate recommendation to wait for service pack 1 of Vista which is always safe advice because of pressure to get a new release out the door.<BR/><BR/>It's a boring little dance punctuated by exciting news of vulnerabilities.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134213029535803732005-12-10T03:10:00.000-08:002005-12-10T03:10:00.000-08:00Waiting for competitors to create something cool s...<I>Waiting for competitors to create something cool so you can copy it is no longer a good strategy. Senior management surrounding themselves with a handpicked layer of sychophants is no longer a good strategy. Having Bill and Steve step down to the board of directors and preside over an ‘executive search’ is a good strategy.</I><BR/><BR/>Everybody who works there knows how many interesting features get cut to get a product out the door. <BR/><BR/>As long as they are in the dominant position and nobody is coming up with anything to motivate the installed base to choose something different, why would they have to innovate in any dramatic way? Security only became an issue because of a lot of external pressure to do something about it.<BR/><BR/>Earlier in this thread you can read someone explain that shareholders really aren't looking too hard at why the stock price isn't going up. So, "I won't do it! You can't make me!" comes to mind when it comes to executives stepping down any time soon. You can loot a company as long as you don't kill it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134212083195456322005-12-10T02:54:00.000-08:002005-12-10T02:54:00.000-08:00And that billions is blown on failed products, but...<I>And that billions is blown on failed products, but oddly, none of those people seem to really get fired.</I><BR/><BR/>Since hiring friends is encouraged, why would they fire anyone unless they couldn't blame it on someone lower down the food chain?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134211788415190242005-12-10T02:49:00.000-08:002005-12-10T02:49:00.000-08:00Microsoft should either force everyone to take the...<I>Microsoft should either force everyone to take their vacation time or financially compensate employees for the vacation time that they give up.</I><BR/><BR/>I believe they have to compensate you for lost vacation time in California.<BR/><BR/>As the "nice" HR lady explained to me with a smile on her face, Microsoft does what is legal. If they legally don't have to compensate you for vacation time you don't take, they will not do it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134206899911635022005-12-10T01:28:00.000-08:002005-12-10T01:28:00.000-08:00gold stars - special award ( a golden star ) given...<I>gold stars - special award ( a golden star ) given to people</I><BR/><BR/>More specifically, it's an award that recognizes someone who is at or near the top of their team. Someone who will likely have (or currently has) a huge impact on the future of that team. The reward can be substantial, such as a year's worth (for a top performer of stock.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134197583696413622005-12-09T22:53:00.000-08:002005-12-09T22:53:00.000-08:00Partner is 68+ and has a special profit-sharing pe...Partner is 68+ and has a special profit-sharing performance-based compensation plan.<BR/><BR/>Blue-chip is a classification given to highly-desirable candidates. What it translates to, I don't know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134196845178284852005-12-09T22:40:00.000-08:002005-12-09T22:40:00.000-08:00the bench - this is the set of partners who can ta...<I>the bench - this is the set of <B>partners</B> who can take over vp job</I><BR/><BR/>How are people chosen to be partners? What does it mean, at Microsoft, to be a partner? Is it basically a GM-level accomplishment?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134188926930975132005-12-09T20:28:00.000-08:002005-12-09T20:28:00.000-08:00Anyone know about these "special" programs: the be...Anyone know about these "special" programs: the bench, gold stars, and blue chips?<BR/><BR/>>><BR/>the bench - this is the set of partners who can take over vp job<BR/><BR/>gold stars - special award ( a golden star ) given to people.<BR/><BR/>blue chips - special award for chosen people given by HRAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134185745796228092005-12-09T19:35:00.000-08:002005-12-09T19:35:00.000-08:00"And that you hear of low-level employees or new-h..."And that you hear of low-level employees or new-hired being blamed for the egregious mistakes."<BR/><BR/>Well this just points to accountability.<BR/><BR/>Someone in a position of authority "HAD" to have approved a plan that may have been introduced by a a "low" level employee. <BR/><BR/>A C C O U N T A B I L I T Y?<BR/><BR/>So if they approve a plan on someone low, why not hold that first line or other mid-manager accountabile for "not scrutizing" that plan to ensure it's aligned to the groups charter/drivers. And if they fail not take part of the accountability.<BR/><BR/><BR/>A C C O U N T A B I L I T Y?<BR/><BR/>if your new to ms .. new college hire .. you are a PAWN in the game of MS Chess. Be prepared to pick up soapAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134185394659266662005-12-09T19:29:00.000-08:002005-12-09T19:29:00.000-08:00The work life balance is so broken that many peopl...The work life balance is so broken that many people have no idea that life exists outside of work.<BR/><BR/>We have many employees repeatedly loosing multiple days of vacation time each year instead of taking the time off. They would take vacation, but loosing the vacation time is a stronger sign of a committed employee that needs a level increase.<BR/><BR/>Microsoft should either force everyone to take their vacation time or financially compensate employees for the vacation time that they give up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134180275598684432005-12-09T18:04:00.000-08:002005-12-09T18:04:00.000-08:00Hi Mini, Any comments on this: http://www.business...Hi Mini, <BR/><BR/>Any comments on this: <BR/><BR/>http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/dec2005/tc20051207_482454.htm?campaign_id=tbwAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134175229897456602005-12-09T16:40:00.000-08:002005-12-09T16:40:00.000-08:00Just don't think that "WLB" really means anything....Just don't think that "WLB" really means anything. What MS wants - and gets lots of - is eager post-graduates who will do <B>anything</B> to keep their shiny new toys. Then disillusionment sets in. And that you never seem to have a weekend. And that you're always on e-mail & your cell phone.<BR/><BR/>And that the "Top 500" rake in billions of dollars in compensation - but you are stack-ranked at 3.5 and marked as a "loser."<BR/><BR/>And that billions is blown on failed products, but oddly, none of those people seem to really get fired. <BR/><BR/>And that you work for a company that seems to always be entangled in legal issues with regards to respecting laws.<BR/><BR/>And that you hear of low-level employees or new-hired being blamed for the egregious mistakes.<BR/><BR/>And then you think, "Was this worth it?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134170179842159392005-12-09T15:16:00.000-08:002005-12-09T15:16:00.000-08:00Anyone know about these "special" programs: the be...Anyone know about these "special" programs: the bench, gold stars, and blue chips?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134169394334208522005-12-09T15:03:00.000-08:002005-12-09T15:03:00.000-08:00For Microsoft management to get the full measure o...For Microsoft management to get the full measure of that thing that is most precious to them - the intellect of their employees – they need to dramatically improve on their understanding of the ‘people thing’. The direction its heading now, senior management will soon be presiding over a mass mutiny. Employees are demanding respect (or at least to work on something that is going to make them rich while they are being disrespected). If you can’t give them one situation or the other, they will leave. Or worse, yet, they will stay and, while collecting a paycheck, surreptitiously undermine the efforts of all around them. Waiting for competitors to create something cool so you can copy it is no longer a good strategy. Senior management surrounding themselves with a handpicked layer of sychophants is no longer a good strategy. Having Bill and Steve step down to the board of directors and preside over an ‘executive search’ is a good strategy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134157009768911502005-12-09T11:36:00.000-08:002005-12-09T11:36:00.000-08:00"The "us vs. them" auto maker union mentality is r..."The "us vs. them" auto maker union mentality is ridiculous."<BR/><BR/>Actually, scarily appropriate and totally understandable when you have a group of lavishly paid, largely ineffective senior managers who are imploding the company while simultaneously selling it out from underneath the feet of average employees and shareholders. <BR/><BR/>"I agree with Mini that MS has big honking problems, and that cutting staff and focusing on "things that matter" would help."<BR/><BR/>Most of the problems are due to poor strategic initiatives and execution. Had they been smart investments, the problem would be adding more staff - not cutting them. Cutting regular employees will help expenses but not fix the strategic issues.<BR/><BR/>"This begs the question of who decides what matters, at this point it's Bill and Steve and many people are not sure they are picking the right things."<BR/><BR/>No shit - in case the numbers alone didn't make it sufficiently obvious.<BR/><BR/>"Your career is YOUR responsibility, whether you work at Microsoft or anywhere else."<BR/><BR/>Generally yes but when the shit really hits the fan, MSFT will be forced to make major cutbacks and we all know those will start at the bottom even though in many cases the real problems are at the top. So at that point, taking responsibility for your career likely won't matter - except in your next job.<BR/><BR/>Bottom line, managers expecting employees to quietly wait in line as the Titanic sails full tilt towards the iceberg and senior management is busy readying their personal water taxis, is unrealistic at best and assinine at worst. A major crisis is not in the interests of the company, employees, shareholders or customers. So those who see one ahead, have an obligation to try and avoid it - even if that means changing the very leadership of the company (which imo is long overdue).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134151063830320452005-12-09T09:57:00.000-08:002005-12-09T09:57:00.000-08:00As a newish MS employee hired into a fairly senior...As a newish MS employee hired into a fairly senior position, this blog has been a great way for me to realize I am not alone in what I feel. Which in a word is frustration.<BR/><BR/>This company is in big trouble. There is a lot of good here but the politics, the fiefdoms, and the bad groupthink simply outweighs the good. The size of the blinkers that some of the senior leaders have on is staggering. This company needs a good purging and it should start at the top. <BR/><BR/>A lot of the frustration has been 'predicted' in a fairly good book that I recently read (and recommend whole heartedly) ...<BR/><BR/>Breaking Windows by David Bank<BR/><BR/>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743203151/qid=1134149948/sr=1-5/ref=sr_1_5/103-8619819-6419031?s=books&v=glance&n=283155 <BR/><BR/>This is a great forum and please keep it going!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134145615635202212005-12-09T08:26:00.000-08:002005-12-09T08:26:00.000-08:00These comments about infant care leave and bias ag...These comments about infant care leave and bias against families are amazing. All of us had always thought the "work life balance" talk was a complete sham in the field but somehow we thought maybe WLB was respected or soemthing in the Land of Redmond/Oz. Sad to see wanting to have a family life is universally dissed by our company.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555958.post-1134119940971314532005-12-09T01:19:00.000-08:002005-12-09T01:19:00.000-08:00If your division isn't having a party and you REAL...If your division isn't having a party and you REALLY want to go to one - just show up at one with your blue badge and you'll get in as long as you're not dressed in jeans and a tshirt. I've gone with friends to their parties and all they do at the door is wave you thru when you show your badge. Besides, the *other* groups parties are always more fun...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com