January 24, 2007
steve's blue monster video
[VIDEO:] Microsoft's Steve Clayton talks about the Blue Monster cartoon. My evil plan finally goes public! Rock on.
The Blue Monster was designed as a conversation starter. To paraphrase the ongoing dialogue between Steve and I:
For too long, Microsoft has allowed other people tell their story on their behalf- the media, their competition and their detractors, especially- 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.
If they can do this, well, we don't expect people in their millions to magically start loving Microsoft overnight, but perhaps it might get people- including the people who work there- to start thinking differently. Small moves.
[Afterthought:] Granted, none of this is rocket science. But maybe that's Microsoft's main problem.
[Blue Monster backstory here.]
[Disclosure: gapingvoid is more evil than Microsoft. Just so you know.]
Posted by hugh macleod at January 24, 2007 8:43 AM | TrackBack...and takes on a life of its own. What an awesome opportunity to influence Bill.
Looking forward to tracking this Blue Monster through the blogosphere
Cheers,
Nigel
Posted by: Nigel James at January 24, 2007 9:15 AMcongrats! things like this can't be planned.
Posted by: nakedpastor at January 24, 2007 11:23 AMDo we really care what a throwback 19c company does?
Microsoft cares nothing for the users of its products, just for its customers.
Posted by: geoff lane at January 24, 2007 12:28 PMYou walked RIGHT INTO my trap, Geoff. Spectacular! ;-)
Posted by: hugh macleod at January 24, 2007 1:59 PMI guess Geoff did walk into a trap, but it looks to me like you're heading into some pretty marshy terrain as well Hugh. Of course transformation is always possible, even for Microsoft etc.
Posted by: John D at January 25, 2007 12:58 AMJudging from your blog, John D, your comment doesn't surprise me in the least.
Posted by: hugh macleod at January 25, 2007 1:25 AMTouche
Posted by: John at January 25, 2007 4:16 AMWell done Hugh!
Posted by: dawbie at January 25, 2007 6:40 PMAbsolutely brilliant - the blue monster is a social object extroadinaire!
Posted by: James Cherkoff at January 26, 2007 11:44 AMMicrosoft employees and bloggers have an enemy that destroys any amount of goodwill they manage to obtain:
Microsoft PR and Sales dept.
Posted by: Jean Lalonde at January 26, 2007 7:11 PMI'm afraid that it's not just the PR and Sales departments. Arrogance and xenophobia are pervasive throughout the entire Microsoft corporation. I manage the software engineering division of an ISV which develops software exclusively on MS platforms. I really want Microsoft to have a better corporate culture because its people are a real pain in the neck to to deal with.
My advice to the blue monster is this: You already have changed the world, many times over in fact. To do any greater good, you need to change from within. The dominance that you enjoy in the marketplace has curdled your culture into a narcissistic pretzel, and for better or worse, the world anticipates its unraveling.
Posted by: Tony at March 3, 2007 6:09 AM