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Microsoft to Small Business: Your Potential, Our Passion
 
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Microsoft to Small Business: Your Potential, Our Passion

I attended the live first-day event of the Microsoft Small Business Summit on Tuesday, March 14. It was remarkable. As a Microsoft registered partner I’ve observed the promotion of Small Business Partner certification over the past several months. The collection of webcasts and the new Small Business+ site (registration-required) are very impressive.

Still, I wasn’t certain what to expect. Having learned about the event early enough to register for the live sessions in nearby Bellevue, Washington, I attended with the idea of finding out what small business entrepreneurs were concerned about around being self-sufficient with technology. I wanted to know where technology was challenging and how they approached becoming competent or arranging to have competent assistance. As a SOHO-based nano-ISV I know my needs are less than for someone who has employees and deals directly with the public. I also have more computer skills and technology geekiness than typical for small-business proprietors. I’m wondering how mom-and-pop businesses want to use technology and identify something simple that I have to offer in my own community. I’m thinking of cooperative activities as simple as participating in a study circle or a buddy system with other small-business operators. It’s all part of my passion about making computer technology accessible and exciting.

{tags: Microsoft Small Business Office Live Business+ SBSummit inspiration entrepreneurs orcmid}

Who Is Small Business?

At my table, I first spoke with Elizabeth Pankey, a graphic artist and caricaturist. She came on behalf of a company where she is doing graphic work. We talked about her career and she later presented me with a sketch made while I was busy watching the first session.

Next, Callie Jordan sat down. Callie teaches basic computer usage at a community college in The Dalles, Oregon. We talked about how students are prepared (or not) to use computers as part of non-computer classes. I mentioned that the on-line tutorials provided as part of Business+ looked interesting, though I hadn’t explored any of them yet. I also mentioned that there is a program in the European Union that provides qualification in the basics. I couldn’t remember details, but what I was thinking of was the European Computer Driving License (ECDL) and some other ways to gain basic computer, web, and keyboarding skills. Later, after we’d exchanged cards, I learned that Callie also trains horses. Callie was the one at our table who first found the great give-aways, including the Thaddeus Wawro book, Radicals & Visionaries: Entrepreneurs Who Revolutionized the 20th Century.

One key feature of small business operators is that they may have multiple businesses as well as sideline businesses and family businesses along with day jobs. I didn’t find out what else table mate Jonathan Ross did beside being a gourmet chef. I was too fascinated to learn that he provides services as a personal chef, with in home-lessons and intimate dinners for his clients. I was also struck by Elizabeth and Jonathan not having web sites. Today, I think web visibility is far better than a listing in the yellow pages, and a greater avenue to unexpected opportunities.

Scottie, sitting on my right, was part of a family business that markets kitchen cabinets to designers and builders. I didn’t catch all of it, and didn’t think to exchange business cards between sessions of the event.

There was another guest who stopped by and was speaking with Callie. The conversation was about his experience keeping bees.

I now see how easy it is to forget the amazing diversity of small business amid statistics such as producing half the innovations in our society and creating over 75% of the new jobs. It is also clear that small business is radically different than enterprises and what we think of as big business. There’s a great richness to the many ways people create businesses and become entrepreneurs. Here’s a perfect challenge for illuminating and encouraging the long tail of small-business connection.

Microsoft and Small Business

My greatest excitement out of the summit events is not about Microsoft products or even technology. I found the most thrilling aspect being the way Microsoft is out to create lasting relationships with small businesses. It is also clear how Microsoft is positioning technologies and guidance that recognize small-business diversity. I’ll summarize that first.

What Is Small Business? For Microsoft, a small business has 45 or fewer employees and 25 or fewer PCs.

A small business could be a sole proprietor like myself. The sole reliance on technology might be the almost-obligatory PC with maybe Excel (or Money or Quicken) for accounting functions and Word for correspondence and form letters. (Elizabeth confided that Visio is becoming her tool of choice.) Businesses with payrolls and accounts-receivable/payable may use something like Quick Books and have a small network in the office.

Adjusting to Range and Scale. Microsoft is now addressing the different stages of growth and operations that small businesses can experience. The support is more than product offerings, it is also guidance in technology-neutral topics that can be critical in nurturing and sustaining a small business.

Keeping Records and Books, Oh My. I visited Microsoft’s “Computers Across America” truck in the hotel driveway and talked about Microsoft Small Business Accounting software. That’s probably past my level of need, but I can see how it could be important where there is more sales activity and much more record keeping required for the business. I’ll have a better look when I dig into one of the copies that is provided now that I’ve viewed and turned in evaluations on more than two of the live on-line presentations. I’m a Microsoft Money Deluxe & Business sort of operator, and I am reluctant to add another tool when I’ll still need to use Money. When I look closer maybe I’ll understand when and where a small operator needs to move to an accounting-specific package.

Business Presence Via Office Live. The next level of Microsoft support for Small Business consists of Office Live and the extensive guidance offered at the Small Business hub. The little freebie bag given out at the live event, along with the obligatory T-shirt, included a Product Key for Office Live beta. I’m going to find a way to use that (and the Wash’n’Dry screen cleaners and wipes too). An important feature of Office Live is that the basic level will always be free and that the two subscription levels will provide modular pricing and an array of business-related services. This provides configuration flexibility of the hosted service until a business achieves a level where dedicated IT is needed. Microsoft makes it clear that Office Live is not meant to replace desktop office productivity. Based on Sharepoint technologies, Office Live will be friendly to shipping Office documents around, but it is not intended to provide a web alternative. Office Live is for business presence and collaboration over the Internet, not replacing the personal desktop or mobile solution of small-business operators and employees.

Business+ Guidance to Small Business. Going beyond generally-available on-line small-business support from Microsoft is the personalized Business+ program with self-paced on-line tutorials and other offerings where you can record your progress through lessons and also receive recommendations based on your interests and background. There was an audible gasp as the list of marketing-course elements was scrolled through during one presentation. I have been browsing the Business+ tutorials too. It is gratifying to see the coverage of business fundamentals as well as use of the Microsoft Windows platform and productivity software by anyone, including absolute beginners. I’ve explored enough to notice that they could use a tutorial on the on-line tutorials, but I was able to figure it out at my comfort level with on-line applications. One valuable touch was noticing what was needed to have my browser configured properly (I had Flash disabled) rather than simply failing to operate. I expect these materials to improve and their usability to get even better.

Toward Business Savvy. Many of the Summit presentations are oriented to supporting small business operators in general ways that go far beyond choices of technology. Technology might be a source of efficiencies but it is the development of business savvy and common good practices that is featured. For example, Microsoft is not only making it easy for small businesses to establish a web presence it is also using the Internet as a vehicle for serving the community. Business+ and the webcasts of the Business Summit are an example of Microsoft finding a way to provide affordable support and encouragement to small business. The webcasts are kept available for on-demand viewing. I recommend them.

When It’s Too Much To Handle, Who Do You Call? For businesses that have or that grow into greater demands for information technology, Microsoft has been certifying Small Business Specialists. An SBS is qualified to support the introduction of professionally-administered technology used to coordinate with customers, partners, and suppliers as well as support today’s mobile, distributed business teams. Here, Microsoft Small Business Server was featured as the starter hub of a single-server IT operation that can then grow on-premise with the business.

I have the impression of a flexible progression that will be filled in over time and respond to the variety of needs for technology-augmented small-business systems.

Building Relationships as the Business of Small Business

The Summit opening keynote was delivered by Microsoft Chief Operating Officer (COO) Kevin Turner. Turner is responsible for the parts of Microsoft that do business. His background is in business and IT operations, being the President and CEO of SAM’S CLUB before arriving at Microsoft in September, 2005. The theme of small business was reflected in his observation that small-business operators are the hardest working people in the world. It seemed completely in character with the event to learn that the original theme for SAM’S CLUB was “In Business for Small Business,” and Kevin took on the responsibility of restoring the organization after it had strayed from its original purpose. Turner also described how his wife started a pottery-and-bisque studio that grew from party hosting into a full-time business.

Kevin illustrated the importance of building relationships in recounting how long he had known Steve Ballmer, starting from an occasion when he was a Wal-Mart junior executive assigned to meet Ballmer at the airport and deliver him to all of his meetings.

The startling degree to which Microsoft is looking beyond technology is also reflected in the questions that were explored repeatedly during the event: What small business wants from Microsoft; What can be expected from Microsoft. The constant appeal for feed-back (and the relentless provision of Q&A time, 15 minutes for every 30 minute presentation) was consistent with that questioning. Although it is claimed that 10,000 small businesses have been surveyed and contacted to see what’s needed, it is also recognized that this examination is just starting. The effort is considered to be international and the program we were seeing is being initiated in two other countries already.

I think Kevin’s strongest statement was, “Our biggest opportunity is enabling people to create business value,” emphasizing that it was our opportunity together, not Microsoft’s opportunity alone.

Kevin was followed by Maxine Clark, founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop, on “Putting the Heart back into Business.” Maxine gave a great review of how the organization keeps itself aware of who their customers are and what they provide: “We sell a smile.” All of their attention is on the experience of the customer. I also noticed that Maxine refers to customers as guests and employees as associates. With regard to the question of what keeps you going when you are working for free (the situation with all small-business operators), she said that being out to make a difference and tying your passion to that will sustain you.

The pre-lunch speaker was Keith Ferrazzi of Ferrazzi Greenlight, speaking on the theme of his book, Never Eat Alone and Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time. Keith took us through an exercise at which the bottom line was conclusion that business relationships are personal relationships. Keith illustrated in his own speaking and tales from his own life, and in his connection with the people at the event, that intimacy — deep understanding of each other — is at the peak of relationships. He emphasized the importance of willingness to be vulnerable and allowing ourselves to be human. His prescription to us was to not be the person with a surrounding wall. Be an invitation (my words) and let people in, allowing their humanity too. Other nuggets included transparency as a key to success, emphasizing that an entrepreneur’s job is to invest in the dreams of others, and to allow ourselves to care about people.

Ferrazzi was asked about people who over-share and open up too much. He said that it is important to have some sensitivity about what is appropriate for others in a given situation. He also cautioned us: 99% of business people are pretty solidly inside a glass cylinder and needn’t worry about over-sharing. Opening up at all is the breakthrough. We were asked to practice finding out from each other what our passions are and letting ourselves be known at the lunch break.

I think the point of this is that it is our relationships and commitments to others that get us out of bed in the morning, and that we are better off when we access that within ourselves and others. Relationships fuel our joy and passion and desire to make a difference. And, after all, we really can’t do it all on our own, and if we could, it wouldn’t be satisfying.

It is not like we were all there for some touchy-feely experience. What we did get was some of Ferrazzi’s own vulnerability as a small-business operator, relationship builder, and all-around human being. This earned the only standing ovation of the day and the only one I can remember at a business/technical event.

The Potential of Passion

There’s a lot more, and the videos and webcasts are on-line. One of the Microsoft speakers addressed the changes to offerings for small business and stated the value: “Together we can do more.”

In the day’s wrap-up and preview of the additional 3 days and 4 tracks of webcasts, Cindi Bates (General Manager) and Michael Park (Vice-President) of the Microsoft Small Business group expressed something interesting. Park described his own experiences in small family-run business and also made the connection of “your potential, our passion.”

I had seen that slogan regarded as stingy, stated as “our passion, your potential” by Robert Scoble and Kathy Sierra. But when Michael Park said it the other way round, what I got was our potential being Microsoft’s passion. Works for me. I don’t feel limited by that at all.

posted by orcmid at 3/18/2006 05:31:00 PM

Help Stamp Out Telephone Surveys

Weeks ago my phone started ringing with automated surveys.  I would hang up and they’d call back again in a short while.

{tags: orcmid phone surveys do-not-call registry}

I went through one of the surveys to find out who it was and I was given a phone number at the end of the call.  I called that (long-distance-, not 800-) number using excess free minutes and received yet-another automated system that reportedly would take my number off their list.  Well, I had to hang up on a few more calls and then things got quiet.

Today, it started again.  I don’t know who it was.  The first call was about real-estate agents.  I hung up.  The second call said it was a survey being conducted by DAW Marketing.  Interesting.  (The name of a competitor perhaps?  Who cares.)  So I gave the worst-possible answers to the survey, quickly getting to the end of the message.  Yes, I did think the officiating at the Super Bowl was superb (I didn’t even watch it but I live in Seattle, dig?).  Yes, I think the NFL should continue to hire rent-an-umpire officials.  Like that.  Then I got the number at the end of the message.

After I wrote down the number, I looked up the on-line do-not-call registry and reported the number and the company name for abuse.  I don’t care if survey firms are exempt.  I don’t care if people who claim they are charitable organizations are exempt.  Get off my phone.  And if you are using an automated calling and survey system, I am going to give the worst possible responses I can think of.  And I am going to do that until your survey accuracy and quality is so bad that you stop doing this.  And if not, I am happy that the bozos who pay for the results are thinking they get something valuable.  They deserve to pay big bucks for the crap that will be served up as people get wise and start systematically lying.

So there.  I think I’ll print up T-shirts.  “Lies on Phone Surveys.”

And proud of it.  Let’s create a national organization and deny these folks their ill-deserved livelihood.

[update: I receive e-mail notification of all comments posted on this blog, and I just now received notice of an unbelievable spam comment on an old post.  It listed 30-40, poker games, and whatnot.  It was easy to delete, as explained there.  It is almost as if it was posted in the comments there (about how to delete comments) as a challenge.  I’m sure it has nothing to do with the current post, but the coincidence is wonderful.  I have an e-mail copy, if you’re curious, but the post is gone.] 

posted by orcmid at 3/16/2006 03:31:04 PM

Global Social Identity

ClustrMaps - Hit counter map shows locations of all visitors to your site - free.  Thanks to Robin Wilton (thanks to Eve Maler), I can represent one aspect of Orcmid’s global identity in a visual way.  This might also provide a form for me to recognize how this and other communal identifications are manifest and preserved.  I despair of decrypting my referrer log and separating out the referrer spam.  (I may only have about 5 legitimate visits per week.)

You might observe that I am not using identity in the you-are-computed-therefore-you-are form.  Or am I?  Do you?

{tags: orcmid identity site statistics}

---

This post is merely a pretense for pushing the blog template with ClustrMap image and link out to my main page.   It won’t start working if I don’t do that.  Heh.

posted by orcmid at 3/13/2006 09:47:15 AM