Tag Archives: Press Release

Breaking News: Windows Head Steven Sinofsky Leaves Microsoft

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[quote_right]“I am grateful for the many years of work that Steven has contributed to the company” — Steve Ballmer, CEO, Microsoft[/quote_right]Just weeks after appearing on stage during the launch of the Surface tablet and Windows 8, AllThingsD has confirmed that Steven Sinofsky, who served as the head of Windows at Microsoft, is leaving the company.

“Microsoft Corp. today announced that Windows and Windows Live President Steven Sinofsky will be leaving the company and that Julie Larson-Green will be promoted to lead all Windows software and hardware engineering. Tami Reller retains her roles as chief financial officer and chief marketing officer and will assume responsibility for the business of Windows. Both executives will report directly to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.”

The move is effective immediately and is said to be related to growing tension between Sinofsky and other corporate executives at Microsoft; interestingly, Apple ousted former head of iOS Scott Forstall less than a month ago based on similar reasons. Sinofsky was viewed as a highly intelligent individual, but his inability to be a team player within Microsoft was reportedly problematic.

“I am grateful for the many years of work that Steven has contributed to the company,” CEO Steve Ballmer said. “The products and services we have delivered to the market in the past few months mark the launch of a new era at Microsoft. We’ve built an incredible foundation with new releases of Microsoft Office, Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, Microsoft Surface, Windows Server 2012 and ‘Halo 4,’ and great integration of services such as Bing, Skype and Xbox across all our products. To continue this success it is imperative that we continue to drive alignment across all Microsoft teams, and have more integrated and rapid development cycles for our offerings.”

Sinofsky will not be replaced by a single individual, but rather by two of his top deputies. Julie Larson-Green is tasked with the engineering aspect of Windows, while Tami Reller will control the business side of Windows. Sinofsky joined Microsoft as a software design engineer over twenty years ago, becoming president of the Windows division in 2009. Sinofsky played an integral role in the release of Windows 7, a significant improvement over the dark days of Windows Vista. Sinofsky praised Microsoft in a statement for all it has done for him over the past two-plus decades.

“It is impossible to count the blessings I have received over my years at Microsoft,” Sinofsky said. “I am humbled by the professionalism and generosity of everyone I have had the good fortune to work with at this awesome company.”

[AllThingsD]

Microsoft Stores Have Welcomed Over 15 Million Customers

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Microsoft today revealed that over 15 million customers have visited its brick-and-mortar and seasonal holiday stores since the first of 30 locations opened in Scottsdale, Arizona just over three years ago. Microsoft notes that customers value being able to see all of the company’s products in one location and get face-to-face with the technology. “We’ve welcomed more than 15 million customers and counting so far, and have learned a lot from them,” said Jonathan Adashek, general manager of Communications Strategy. “Having this direct connection to our customers has really helped us better understand their tech needs.”
[quote_right]“We’ve welcomed more than 15 million customers and counting so far, and have learned a lot from them.”[/quote_right]
The foot traffic has been strong enough at Microsoft Stores for the company to expand its retail locations to additional markets. A new Microsoft Store just opened yesterday in Cincinnati, Ohio, while the first international Microsoft Store is set to open in Toronto, the largest metropolitan area in Canada, next Friday, November 16.

“We really want to have a direct relationship with customers. I think when you see people touch the Surface tablet or experience Windows 8 in person, a light goes off in their head,” Walter said. “In person, you get a very different experience and it’s one we’ve been very delighted to provide. When you see our technology in person – when you can touch and feel it – a light goes off.”

Microsoft Stores are similar in concept to Apple Stores, but seem to offer a more welcoming atmosphere and good customer experience. Apple Stores deal with significantly higher foot traffic, so finding an employee to talk to or leaving the store with a positive experience can sometimes be challenging. While I wouldn’t go as far as saying that Microsoft offers “world-class customer service,” as the company itself claims, it does do a respectable job that encourages me to make a return visit.

[Microsoft via The Next Web]