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This is very relevant (How great leaders inspire action): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4 Hint: It's all

This is very relevant (How great leaders inspire action): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4 Hint: It's all about the beliefs of a company and how consumers associate their beliefs with a company's beliefs. We know what Apple stands for (higher quality and more beautiful products). We know what Google stands for (more openess, more user freedom). What does Microsoft stand for? Can you answer it quickly? The only answer that comes fast enough is "money". I don't think Microsoft has an inbred culture inside the company for much else, at least not anymore. I also agree with the ending conclusion of the post, about Microsoft trying to cater to the "people in the middle", like not wanting to be close enough like Apple to deliver a great user experience, but not open enough like Android, too. In fact WP7 is even much stricter than desktop Windows. So they aren't addressing neither the Apple users, nor the Android users with this "mediocrity" strategy. Seth Godin likes to talk about how mediocrity is a bad place to be in, too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqK6M_rTR40 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqK6M_rTR40

recoiledsnake 15y ago
95%+ of phone buyers couldn't care less about the company beliefs, forget about even knowing them. They go to their carrier store, where they see 10 Android phones and 1 Windows Phone in the corner which the salesmen steer them away from.
- bradleyland 15y ago
  I agree with the first part of your statement, depending on your definition of "company beliefs". Corporate culture is pretty far from most consumer's minds at the time of purchase. You have to ask questions regarding the second half of your statement though: 1) Why are there 10 Android phones and 1 Windows phone? 2) Why do salesmen steer consumers way from Windows Phone? In my view, the first has to do with Microsoft's approach to Windows phone. Like Apple, and in contrast to Google, want tight control over the end-user experience. This combined with the fact that they were late to the market is creating a negative incentive for carrier's to put WP7 on handsets. I still maintain that the second has to do with the enormous momentum of consumer sentiment at this point. Phone salesmen spend a lot of time around phones. Many of them are "in to phones", so they're more acutely aware, albeit often misinformed, of the tech-punditry's view of these devices and the types of consumers that buy them. WP7 also lacked a strong device at launch, so a lackluster start resulted in negative feedback. The salesman is going to push what he likes, and gadget people like Android devices.
kenjackson 15y ago
What does Microsoft stand for? Can you answer it quickly? The only answer that comes fast enough is "money". Really? Two words popped into my mind first: Software and Platforms. Money is something that all companies strive for. But when you think about Microsoft and what they really push it is software and platforms. In constrast Google makes me think ot the web and advertising. Apple makes me think of HW/SW synergy and design. Facebook makes me think social and sharing. It seems like you just wanted to write an attack dog post.

recoiledsnake 15y ago

95%+ of phone buyers couldn't care less about the company beliefs, forget about even knowing them. They go to their carrier store, where they see 10 Android phones and 1 Windows Phone in the corner which the salesmen steer them away from.

bradleyland 15y ago
I agree with the first part of your statement, depending on your definition of "company beliefs". Corporate culture is pretty far from most consumer's minds at the time of purchase. You have to ask questions regarding the second half of your statement though: 1) Why are there 10 Android phones and 1 Windows phone? 2) Why do salesmen steer consumers way from Windows Phone? In my view, the first has to do with Microsoft's approach to Windows phone. Like Apple, and in contrast to Google, want tight control over the end-user experience. This combined with the fact that they were late to the market is creating a negative incentive for carrier's to put WP7 on handsets. I still maintain that the second has to do with the enormous momentum of consumer sentiment at this point. Phone salesmen spend a lot of time around phones. Many of them are "in to phones", so they're more acutely aware, albeit often misinformed, of the tech-punditry's view of these devices and the types of consumers that buy them. WP7 also lacked a strong device at launch, so a lackluster start resulted in negative feedback. The salesman is going to push what he likes, and gadget people like Android devices.

kenjackson 15y ago

What does Microsoft stand for? Can you answer it quickly? The only answer that comes fast enough is "money". Really? Two words popped into my mind first: Software and Platforms. Money is something that all companies strive for. But when you think about Microsoft and what they really push it is software and platforms. In constrast Google makes me think ot the web and advertising. Apple makes me think of HW/SW synergy and design. Facebook makes me think social and sharing. It seems like you just wanted to write an attack dog post.