[Cartoon part of the Microsoft Blue Monster Series. Backstory from Steve and Kris etc.]
[One More Time:] “For too long, Microsoft has allowed other people– the media, the competition and their detractors, especially– to tell their story on their behalf, instead of doing a better job of it themselves.
We firmly believe that Microsoft must start articulating their story better– what they do, why they do it, and why it matters– if they’re to remain happy and prosperous long-term.“
[Bonus Link] From JP Rangaswami:
Think about it. What keeps the ecosystem going? Who is the pest? Who is the parasite? And is the plant healthy as a result?
Distribution channels are partners. Ecosystem members are partners. Customers are partners.
As we move from proprietary to open worlds, we are seeing another transition. The customer is becoming the partner. And not a day too soon.
The New Republic
Len Schlesinger
Tony Hsieh
Seth Godin
Brian Clark
a cyberspace tagline — digitoo, a digital tattoo.
what do you think?
Hey Hugh, I am really excited by what you are attempting to do here, but will much of it be riding atop gapingvoid or will you have another blog?
“Riding atop gapingvoid” seems to be the plan, Paul.
Sure, I’ll probably lose some readers out of it… Life goes on.
makes perfect sense to me!
Why anyone would stop reading is beyond me…
I wouldn’t say I hate Microsoft, but I’m certainly not a fan. However, I read this blog to see what you do with your strategies, and seeing how they will hold up with a massive company such as MS will be very interesting to watch. I’m genuinely excited about the possibilities!
Hugh — the implication is that somehow other people telling Microsoft’s story is in some way ‘bad.’ Sometimes other people do tell Microsoft’s story in a constructive and positive manner. I’ve been known to do that.
But I think there’s a point here you miss. In the eyes of customers who buy their stuff, it isn’t really the channel that matters. It is the end user. Those are the people who sell enterprisey stuff.
That’s why what SAP is doing right now is waaaaay more interesting. IMO. I’m not known for being a huge SAP Hugger.
Dennis
Right on — the consumerisation of IT is off and running and we don’t do anywhere near as good a job as we should. I mentioned to Hugh yesterday this is as much about partners talking to their mates down at the pub about Microsoft (in positive terms) and helping shift opinion. We have a long legacy of negative view points that we need to change at grass roots, consumer level. that’s what Blue Monster is about and why it couldn’t really have come from the top at Microsoft — people wouldn’t have seen it as credible.
Steve