Heartstrings: available for the tugging

re: Heartstrings: available for the tugging

HeatherLeigh — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 22:41:40 GMT

Yeah, I think it is really tough to capture that essence and communicate it well. Definitely hope it's something we get better at over time.

And I didn't realize how long that blog post was until just now!

re: Heartstrings: available for the tugging

Daniel R. Sweet — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:39:39 GMT

Heather,

I want to thank you for your blog entries like this one. It makes my entries look short by comparison, and that's saying something!

There are many sides to Microsoft. As a former channel guy, I can say that what is in the video isn't the side of Microsoft we see out in the field.

I also agree, however, that there hasn't been (up until now) an effort to show, for lack of a better term, the heart of Microsoft.

re: Heartstrings: available for the tugging

HeatherLeigh — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 21:20:45 GMT

I didn't think you were : ) Even if it were just a few people, I think your point was valid.

re: Heartstrings: available for the tugging

Christine — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:55:13 GMT

I wasn't trying to make an overtly political comment; it was meant just to point out that there are metaphorical parallels, that's all. Microsoft is huge and powerful, and I think for that reason alone many people (especially aspiring competition) resent Microsoft--they project onto the company a "bully" mentality that actually isn't there. Diplomatic efforts, I think, will help improve this image, but you'll always have your naysayers who dislike it just because it's the giant.

I think perhaps it's human nature to root for the underdog, whether it's a country or a company.

I was *not* trying to get into a political discussion though!

re: Heartstrings: available for the tugging

HeatherLeigh — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 01:46:00 GMT

scrooge- I think it depends. I think there are some people that will see things how they want to see them with regards to sports regardless of how close of friends they are with the person with whom they are discussing it. Are you on the football aliases? I have some friends that I discuss sports with and it's very cordial. We still want our team to win but not to the point of being a jerk about it. Come to think of it, I don't have any friends that went to ND. It might be a challenge to keep my mouth shut but I could do it.

I will say that having a family of Texas and OSU fans, I have learned when I can and cannot have those discussions. Same people I decide not to have the political discussions with. I'm the outcast, i guess :)

re: Heartstrings: available for the tugging

mrscrooge — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 22:47:55 GMT

Yes, sorry I should've been more clear - I was referring to Christine's comments. Totally agree, not a place to go on your blog hence the offline-offer to Christine (or anyone else) who wants to discuss. Also, I don't think you need to "try harder" or anything of that sort, you're doing just great and I'm sure everyone else who reads your blog will agree.

>Our ability to discuss the issues diplomatically is based on our personal friendships

Interesting - do you think the same applies to discussion of sport? Or do people seem more passionate and open about their personal opinions regarding sport?

re: Heartstrings: available for the tugging

HeatherLeigh — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 20:19:30 GMT

mrscrooge - are you talking to Christine? I assume so since you are quoting her comments. You know I wouldn't pass up an opportunity to find out who you really are, but hoping to keep my blog apolitical. I have strong feelings about politics that I save for discussions somewhere else besides here. : )

I have friends with political opinions that differ from mine. Our ability to discuss the issues diplomatically is based on our personal friendships and the fact that we can have a private discussion without people judging (and also, the discussions are better had away from work, in my opinion). So anyway, I don't want to go there on my blog. Hope you understand. Guess my attempt tp move the topic away from the political above was a little half-hearted. I'll try harder!

re: Heartstrings: available for the tugging

mrscrooge — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 19:48:10 GMT

>so many foreigners blindly hate America

>those who hate Microsoft/America get to be Davids

At the risk of sliding down the political slope - I humbly disagree with this statement, this has absolutely nothing to do with why people hate Microsoft.

Most people abroad don't have a problem with Americans. They have a problem with American foreign policy and with our acquiescence of said policies. I'd be more than happy to discuss offline, let me know and I'll send you an email address.

Heres the pic, its under "Information for Journalists".

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/images/press/2006/03-16ballmer-Hilfiger_lg.jpg.

re: Heartstrings: available for the tugging

HeatherLeigh — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 18:46:30 GMT

mrscrooge - I didn't see that...what page is it on?

Christine - I would agree with that to a point. Well, actually, I agree with all of it. But I wouldn't be me if I didn't think that we could do better in helping people understand what we are about. There's a certain sense of humor that we have as a company that we don't seem to want to let people know about, for example.

I can totally understand why people would see themselves as the David in that scenario (for those that aren't familiar, David is a man that kills a feared giant). I always identify with the underdog in any scenario. I think that's why we need to get better about showing who our people are...we seem more like a bunch of Davids than one big Goliath, if that makes any sense.

I always consider that people in other countries dislike Americans because of "ugly American" syndrome. I don't know if you have ever been traveling and experienced this, but I have and it's mortifying. It's not limited to just Americans, but still, being American, I notice the American version of it. I would consider that a big contributor too. Hopefully those in other countries that come into contact with Americans remember the well-behaved ones most of all. As far as Microsoft employees, I'm not sure if I count as a well-behaved one, but I try.

re: Heartstrings: available for the tugging

Christine — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:26:42 GMT

I think the reason people hate Microsoft is the same reason so many foreigners blindly hate America. In each of those cases, Microsoft/America is Goliath (inherently bad b/c it's the most powerful) and those who hate Microsoft/America get to be Davids, righteously and heroically taking on Goliath (cue majestic music).

Of course, the major problem in this analogy is the fact that it's usually done so blindly. People love to hate the most successful person in the room, whether or not that person deserves his or her success. Microsoft deserves its success--you all have worked hard for years to make things easier for the rest of us. But people don't want to see that b/c it would ruin the David and Goliath fantasy.