April 21, 2005

"so what will happen to scoble now?"

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Robert Scoble's boss just left Microsoft to go work at Skype. Scoble talks about the implications, and a very good job he does of it too:

But, now the technology industry needs to focus extra hard on thrilling customers. Microsoft has a lot of work to do before it does that. That was Lenn's final challenge as he walked out the door. Thrill customers or else they'll go elsewhere. And quickly. It isn't lost on me that his new company has had 100 million downloads in 18 months, spending only $.04 to get each. I'm hearing that one of their VoIP competitors is spending $400 to "acquire" one customer.

My employee morale will go up a lot when we start shipping products that thrill customers. There's nothing better than meeting people in the airport who thank you for doing stuff that makes their lives better.

I agree, Robert. Skype thrills me more than anything Microsoft makes. And it sounds like your former boss concurs.

"Thrilling customers" is a terrifiic idea. Seriously. But it's not enough for your bosses to give you permission to try. They also have to be genuinely determined to make it happen. There's no point of a lieutenant firing up the troops if the generals are napping etc.

How genuinely determined are they, Robert, just out of interest?

PS: Who's Bill Gates' tailor?

Posted by hugh macleod at April 21, 2005 5:28 PM | TrackBack
Comments

"Who's Bill Gates's tailor?" -- dude... you are priceless! You got me laughing out loud at this one. Not JUST cos it's great humour. But also cos you're the cheekiest business person on the planet.

I WANT you to get English Cut onto Mr Gates.

Rock 'n roll, bebbe!

Blue skies
love
Roy

PS: I've tried sending you an email from my gmail account. It ain't bouncing, but you haven't replied to it either. Which suggests to me that it's been spam trapped. Can you lemme know?

Posted by: Roy Blumenthal at April 21, 2005 7:01 PM

PRICELESS... that is exactly the word that came to mind. Beat me to it, Roy. :)

Thanks as always, Hugh.

Posted by: Rob Burke at April 21, 2005 7:24 PM

what roy said - i too laughed out loud (inside a very quite meeting no less)...

the answer is - sears, the young men's section...

Posted by: mike dunn at April 21, 2005 8:08 PM

I don't think I've ever seen Bill Gates in a suit.

When you're the richest man on the planet, you wear whatever the heck you want. Let the little people dress to impress.

Posted by: Katherine at April 21, 2005 8:27 PM

More to the point... who is Bill Gates's barber?

Posted by: david parmet at April 21, 2005 9:32 PM

Bill Gates does wear suits. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/images/features/2003/02-24broadband-lg.jpg

I agree he could use a better tailor!

What do the execs think? The ones I've met want to thrill customers. I'm interviewing Steve Ballmer on July 7. I'll ask him.

I'm interviewing Jim Allchin next week. I'll ask him too!

Posted by: Robert Scoble at April 21, 2005 10:18 PM

too funny robert - i was telling david earlier tonight how customer focused steve is...

customer's always appreciate a ceo in a nice suit - who's his tailor ;)

Posted by: mike dunn at April 22, 2005 1:32 AM

thanks for the link. good question hugh. i didn't know you were a grocers' apostrophe man...

Posted by: james governor at April 22, 2005 9:28 AM

You'll stand more chance with Mr Ellison I think. I guess you like a challenge though.

Posted by: Loz Hygate at April 22, 2005 11:02 AM

More to the point, actually... does Bill Gates have an iPod????? (I don't. Not yet.)

Posted by: Roy Blumenthal at April 22, 2005 3:20 PM