Steve Clayton likes the forest.

Let’s start with the easy stuff – what are you working on right now?
I’m working on Software plus Services strategy in a part of the company called Microsoft International.

You were also involved in that whole Blue Monster thing a year or two back, right? How is the Blue Monster aging?
Hugh McLeod did the cartoon, and he was just asking me, “What should we do now?”

I said, “We don’t do anything. We created this thing that’s out there — it splits opinion and inspires dialog. It’s got a life of its own.” I don’t push it, but I still get mail from people about it.

Continue reading →

Jeff Sandquist isn't a cheerleader

The geek in question: Jeff Sandquist

The job title: Senior Director, Platform Evangelism

How long have you been with the company?
I think it’s been about 12 years. I get a plaque every once and a while to remind me. I started as a contractor answering phones for Product Support Services.

So, if you’ve been here that long, you’ve gotten to witness Microsoft’s shift toward transparency — including your own “peer to peer over a beer” work with Channel 9. What are the limits of that transparency? How does it feel knowing management reads your blog?

When I first started here, I was terrified of the higher ups. They were almost like Santa Claus — these mythical figures running these billion dollar businesses. I used to be so scared of Sanjay that I would actually go down a different hallway rather than talk to him.

Continue reading →