Microsoft – The Inside Story
Some may recall my unfortunate experience with someone representing the Microsoft brand at Open Gov West. Well today, my perspective of this company has changed. Here’s why. I was contacted by John Weigelt, National Technology Officer (NTO) for Microsoft Canada and we had a very pleasant phone conversation and yes we did briefly talk about the Open Gov West incident, as well as, my subsequent blog posts. What better way to learn more about what Microsoft is really doing than from a top inside source? That was my thought in Seattle, and that didn’t turn out so well. This second opportunity, a vastly different experience altogether. Apparently, John had heard from a trusted source in the Canadian Federal Government about some of our work in the Open Government space and wanted to discuss some things related to an upcoming event he was organizing in Ottawa – Canada Gov Camp. The conversation progressed to a point where I thought it was relevant and appropriate to request an interview for Escape Velocity, my book on Open Government to which John graciously agreed. Coincidently as it turns out, he was presenting at Technocon here in Edmonton so we had a ready-made opportunity for an in-person interview.
What I learned today about Microsoft is fascinating and most certainly refreshing. The general public, including myself (until today) has little to no idea what Microsoft is “really” up to with respect to Open and the rest of their business. I now at least have had a glimpse. Others only have what I would consider to be a stale perception of the brand to some degree, and I was one of those masses. In that context, today was a definite eye-opener on many levels and John admits there’s still much work to do to combat the brand perception issue. I can’t speak for all of the approximately 90,000 Microsoft employees around the world, but if they’re anything like John Weigelt, this company and their many initiatives around the world are in really good hands. Also, I feel no remorse here in saying that you’ll have to wait for my book to get the full story that came out over lunch at Original Joe’s Varsity today. However, I’d like to share one strong Microsoft brand related sentiment here and now.
I left today’s interesting discussion with John thinking, “this is not the same company Bill Gates ran day-to-day when a company I was a part of was a development partner way back when.” That’s neither good nor bad, just different. Evidence of this was present as I opened up my Macbook, put my iPhone down beside it and pulled out my iPad for good measure just for a reaction. John said jokingly with a smile, “don’t worry my wife has the larger one (Macbook) and I’m not allowed to touch it.” John certainly didn’t jump up and down in his chair when I pulled out all that Apple hardware, and that’s all I’ll say about that. From what I heard today, this is also not a company that would be caught up in another anti-trust lawsuit because it’s bent on forcing decisions on the marketplace. Especially in the context of the corporate culture. John allowed me to peer into this culture through his passionate examples, and it’s fascinating stuff. Maybe it’s the flavour of the Kool-Aid? I’m not sure, but something has certainly changed at Microsoft, and in my estimation, for the better. John bestowed on me, several examples of how through his work and that of his 29 other NTO colleagues around the world, are working to enable digital economies, strengthen online and offline communities by helping people, businesses, governments and their agencies export their strengths in ways that may not otherwise transpire. That’s not to say that an “Open Microsoft” is void of internal or external competitiveness brought on by as John describes it, an enterprise-wide “entrepreneurial culture,” because that drive and determination certainly still exists. There resides the big difference between Open government, “a model evolving from what is (in the case of Canada) well over a 140 years of “structure and process” which we both agree has yet to be truly defined and a more transparent and collaborative way of doing business.
So how do you describe this Open Microsoft? John explains today’s Microsoft not as a “tanker” as I first suggested, but rather as a “flotilla” of various sized ships and speed boats representing various products and services which look to collaborate not only internally as a team but externally with communities, organizations and businesses of all types and sizes. There is flexibility within the larger organization that we don’t always see and there in-lies part of the branding challenge.
Challenges like the one I asked John to describe related to the Microsoft brand. That related “perception” baggage that tags along with them as they enter conference rooms. Rooms or in one case, airport security, like the time John laid his Windows 7 bag down to be checked by security only to hear the sneering comment, “Windows 7 huh? You’ve got to be kidding me, what do you work for Microsoft or something?” Little did that airport security agent know that they were talking to someone who works to bridge global and digital communities, businesses and opportunities EVEN IF there isn’t Microsoft products and services as part of the package.
“Open” really is permeating throughout Microsoft on several levels according to John, and that my friends is very good for all of us, yes, even Mac users. A lesson I think Steve Jobs, Apple and Adobe need to pay attention to and learn from as well.
Do you have a Microsoft story you’d like to share? Feel free, John says that it’s important that Microsoft reach out to hold conversations about the brand and this is clear evidence of that. Oh and something else John pointed out to me today, you know they’re serious about conversations because according to a recent survey, Microsoft employees are the most social media savvy in the world. Hmm, imagine that.
Open Alberta
Just over a week ago, fusedlogic worked hard on behalf of our client the City of Edmonton to provide our live webcasting services. We helped the City break new ground by also providing live translation into French as well. The day went very smoothly, here’s the Open City Workshop (video archive)
Open Government Framework
As Chris Moore, CIO for the City of Edmonton states, it’s time to “enlarge the circle.” With that in mind, I’m calling for an Open Alberta. The Government of Alberta (GOA) needs to begin to put in place an Open Government Framework. I think that there are many within government who understand that the GOA doesn’t have a monopoly on creating “public value.” Citizens also have an opportunity, and in my opinion, a responsibility for creating value that positively impacts the quality of life for Albertans and Canadians.
If we take a moment to think about this, Open Government initiatives are a tremendous opportunity to share openly. To communicate that the government is willing to listen and collaborate with citizens rather than simply appear to placate, which is so often the criticism many in the provincial government hear from Albertans.
Is Open Government risky?
I believe Open Government is only risky to those individuals working (at all levels) within government who would rather see citizens not enter the discussion and thereby affect the way their job is performed. Unfortunately, these people exist, I know because from time to time I’ve had conversations with them. You may know an elected official or bureaucrat that believes in this philosophy, claiming this is the way an efficient government works, “we know best and citizens need to butt out,” they’ll say. This can be the result, when people don’t vote and/or get involved in public debate.
What about privacy?
Open Government doesn’t mean that the Government of Canada should start sharing everyone’s Social Insurance Numbers or personal information on a wiki. What it does mean, is that data which is already generally available should be properly organized into machine readable formats and offered for use by the private sector or citizens.
Election Issue!
I suggest that during this municipal election year people make the concept of Open Government an election issue. True, many elected officials have been sitting on the sidelines regarding the use of social media and Web 2.0 technologies. This is no longer tolerable. Further, if the candidate for your ward, or those going to the top job of mayor know nothing about Open Government, don’t vote for them. Simple. The same goes for the next provincial election, if your MLA, party of choice has not exhibited the fact that they understand, or the government hasn’t initiated an Open Government Framework by that time, don’t vote for them either. Open Government isn’t the future, it’s the present. If you don’t know about it you’re living in the past. This isn’t about being harsh but direct.
Is it really that important? Not only is Open Government important, it’s critical. Critical that our leaders get this concept and move quickly in this direction. Many have yet to realize that this is the most transformative time in government in our lifetime. Hold meetings and chat all you want about how your government isn’t performing. More than talk, Open Government is where the rubber meets the road, it’s transparency, participation and collaboration in action. Open Government represents citizens and government elbow to elbow working together for a better future.
Open City Workshop
The Open Government force is strong here in Edmonton, Alberta. This Saturday March 6th, 2010 the City of Edmonton will be hosting the next Open Data related event to help citizens understand why this is so important. Whether, you’re in government, a business person or private citizen, I recommend attending or participating online. Your voice is important.
Live!
Here’s a special twist. fusedlogic is proud to announce that we’ve been hired by the City of Edmonton to provide a live bilingual webcast of the event. We’ve twisted the City’s arm (it didn’t take much) and asked if we could provide the live stream to others who may want to share it. They said yes.
Hello embed code! If you’d like to generate traffic and attention to your Government 2.0 focused blog, website or community this is a terrific opportunity to provide content to your online community. If you’re in the media and would like to have the stream on your site, let a thousand flowers bloom.
The City of Edmonton is listening to your Open Data ideas and they’re acting on it.
The spirit of this event is to share ideas and thoughts, learn and collaborate on the way forward. It’s events like this that help to shape a city, everyone’s job is to come out and contribute directly or online.
Trust
One of the fundamental elements of an Open Government is trust. The City of Edmonton said it would open its’ data, it has. The City of Edmonton said it would expand this Open Data movement to the entire region so as to benefit all citizens, it is. Citizens are often skeptical of government for many reasons not the least of which is they don’t feel their voice will be heard. The City of Edmonton’s IT Branch is listening and led by Councillor Don Iveson, CIO Chris Moore, and the team in the IT Branch they’re acting on it. Look out folks, this is only the beginning.
Special Guests: 3 impressive Open Government minds are flying in to Edmonton to participate on a Open Government panel. David Eaves, Mark Kuznicki and Nicholas Charney I expect this to be great fun, and a tremendous learning experience.
See you on Saturday and follow along on Twitter using the Twitter hashtag – “yegdata”
Embed code will be provided for you on our site here: http://fusedlogic.tv/events/yegdata/
More information on the event itself is on the City of Edmonton’s website
Register here to attend the FREE Open City Workshop
Social Media for Government Presentation Elements
Here are all the parts and other info from the Pre-Conference Workshop, Social Media for Government Edmonton on January 25th
Thanks to all the organizations who participated:
Service Canada
Alberta Agriculture & Rural Dev.
Alberta Environment
Alberta Energy/information Tech.
Town of High River, AB
Metrolinx Ulistic Inc.
Royal Alberta Museum
Alberta Education
Red Deer County, Alberta
City of Red Deer, Alberta
Alberta Geological Society
National Energy Board
Edmonton International Airport
APEGGA
Govt. of the Northwest Territories
Town of High River, AB
AB School Empl. Benefit Plan
Strathcona County, AB
Alberta Utilities Commission
Alberta Education
Government of Alberta Office of the Auditor General
City of Fort Saskatchewan
WMS Communications
City of Kelowna, BC
Social Media for Government
Coming up next week (Jan 25th to the 28th), Walter is going to be chairing and presenting at the ALI Social Media for Government Conference. The conference is being held at the Delta Downtown Edmonton. Here’s the agenda:
