Steve and Kevin on stage: what I'll remember
Earlier today, we had the privilege to have both Steve and Kevin in Seattle to meet their technical people. They were, as usual, great speakers. What I'll remember from what I heard is the following:
From Kevin
We've done an amazing year and we are back on a double digit growth which is, for a company our size, a real achievement. During the forthcoming years, we'll work fundamentally on our:
- Operational efficiency: Of course, I'd say that if a company is properly run, it reduces the expenses and is more profitable. That sounds quite normal. It's just that it's the first time I hear it loud and clear.
- Portfolio: Over the years, the company has built an amazing set of technologies, patents (3,000 patents this year alone!), products and services. It looks to me essential to leverage those assets and take the most out of them.
- People: Yes, next to all that, pople are what make the difference between the companies. Their motivation, their enthusiasm is key to their personal success but also to the company's. Microsoft, exactly as what it proposes to customers, will become a people-centric/people-ready business.
From Steve
He has this incredible energy that really flows out of him while he's on stage. I really enjoy each and every of his "shows".
Well, Steve clearly told us ... not to be impatient. Most of the major achievements of the companies have taken years to become really significant but it has paid off. So this time again, Steve asked us to pe patient and to continue the hard work.
He also admitted that 5,5 years between the launch of two major Windows versions will never happen again! (I don't know why but the whold room clapped! ;-) ). He said: "We learn from our mistakes"... I like that!
He also said plenty of things about the competition and how to go after them, but I'll keep that internally. I'm sure you do understand why! :)
Finally, he went through a number of key elements that have made and that will make the success of the company. Here they are:
- Innovation: I do agree, innovation is key. We've delivered an amazing set of creative approaches in the past years and the way we move foward, I don't expect anything slower! As I said already, we've registered more than 3000 patents this year alone! Isn't that incredible?
- Focus on 4 key quests: Businesses, Productivity, Entertainment, Developers... Well, I guess I don't have to add anything to that as it covers the essential of our business already.
- Software services: Ooooohhhh yes! That's THE thing that will make our future as a company. I strongly do believe in that. More specifically when software services will be combined with regular software.
Finally, both Kevin and Steve insisted on one thing:
- Make the launch of Vista and 2007 Office System a success.
Stay tuned for tomorrow's notes from Seattle.
