New revenue flows into government agencies,  thanks to Donald Trump

New revenue flows into government agencies, thanks to Donald Trump

Here’s the news regarding Microsoft’s potential purchase of part of TikTok: Trump said Monday that part of the amount paid to buy TikTok would have to come to the U.S. Treasury Department because it would be making the deal possible. “It’s a little bit like the landlord/tenant; without a lease the tenant has nothing, so they…

Microsoft PR flubbed its cool endorsement of open source

Microsoft PR flubbed its cool endorsement of open source

Microsoft made a huge announcement yesterday in support of Linux and Open Source. Its actions were startling. Its statements, not so much. There was plenty of news coverage. Here’s how Engadget described it: Microsoft open-sources 60,000 patents to help Linux avoid lawsuits The company as joined the Open Invention Network to keep Linux safe Microsoft…

Post-election, Microsoft’s Brad Smith shows tech CEOs how to lead
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Post-election, Microsoft’s Brad Smith shows tech CEOs how to lead

What’s a leader to do in the wake of a divisive election? For Silicon Valley CEOs from Apple, eBay, Facebook, and LinkedIn, the answer is smile, give us a all a hug, and tell people to get back to work. But Microsoft’s President Brad Smith showed us how a leader ought to lead in a crisis. This election is…

The Slack letter to Microsoft is built on meaningless platitudes
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The Slack letter to Microsoft is built on meaningless platitudes

Slack wrote an open letter to Microsoft, ostensibly welcoming it to the market for workplace collaboration systems. It’s a weird hunk of prose, direct and honest on the surface, but fundamentally insincere. The choice to publish this letter — and to fill it with platitudes — makes me question the judgment of the company. Here’s what happened….

Jeff Weiner’s creepy letter to staff about the LinkedIn acquisition
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Jeff Weiner’s creepy letter to staff about the LinkedIn acquisition

LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner emailed his staff when Microsoft bought the company. His email is discursive, full of platitudes, and fails to answer the employee’s most important question: what’s going to happen to me? LinkedIn has 10,000 employees, 433 million members, and no profits. And now it’s got a new owner. If you work there,…

With LinkedIn, Microsoft will know us all too well

With LinkedIn, Microsoft will know us all too well

Customer knowledge is the most valuable business commodity in our future. Facebook already knows your heart, Google your intentions, and Amazon your purse. With LinkedIn, Microsoft will know your brain. You don’t get a say in the matter. Why did Microsoft agree to buy LinkedIn for $26 billion? If you listen to their CEOs, Satya Nadella and Jeff…

Ask the first question

Ask the first question

When you’re listening to a good speech, your mind is engaged. The speech ends and the audience claps. Now raise your hand and ask the first question. I first learned this on December 7, 1995. The buzz around Web browsers had become deafening. My Forrester colleagues felt the browser was a threat to Windows and the desktop (and…

Steve Perlman, WebTV, and the long-term value of integrity

Steve Perlman, WebTV, and the long-term value of integrity

Don’t back down from the truth. Even if you disagree with people, your integrity will win them over in the long run. So, it’s 1996 and my bosses at Forrester have insisted that I write a report about non-PC Internet devices. I’m so dubious about the idea that the original title of the report is “The…