Global Public Policy Blog for Microsoft

Microsoft launched a global public policy blog to focus on debates surrounding technology. They referred to it as an “On the Issues” blog. It was launched on January 9, 2009. The blog is supposed to “create a platform for the company to offer its perspective on public issues facing the tech sector.” (Aarti Shah) Their plan is to put the content in a style that is appealing and will target the people who are interested in public affairs at other tech companies as well as academics and such to build the sites community. The blog will eventually feature 30 – 50 Microsoft employees. This is a good opportunity for Microsoft to spread their wings in a different direction.

1. This will help them adapt to the changing nature of dialogue on public issues. (Brad Smith – General Counsel for Microsoft)

2. It will create a “transparent dialogue” with stakeholders. (Brad Smith – General Counsel for Microsoft)

3. They will be able to address workforce development, skills, and training issues in Microsoft’s organization. (Pamela Passman – VP of global corporate affairs at Microsoft)

4. It will help create a level of interaction in the corporate public affairs space that is lacking on the internet right now.

5. It allows them to be able to address breaking company news that is related to public affairs.

6. This blog could open the doors for other companies to blog about their public affairs and allow consumers to be more involved in what the company is doing.

http://www.prweekus.com/Micosoft-launches-a-policy-blog/article/126020/?DCMP=EMC-PRUS_Daily

Microsoft Makes An Impact On The Inauguration

Microsoft has created a project using their new technology called Photosynth to help capture the immediate moment that Obama becomes President of the United States. The software is going to combine multiple images of the same scene to create and abstract 3-D picture of the moment. Anyone in attendance of the Inauguration is encouraged to take photos of that moment and send them into CNN who is helping create this project with Microsoft. This project is sure to create opportunities and good buzz for Microsoft: (pcworld)

1. It brings together a mass amount of diverse people that will help get people involved in politics, as well as Microsoft's project. (pcworld)

2. Microsoft is able to be part of history in this country, which is monumental for both parties.

3. It inspires many people to not only use this product for this project, but to allow them the opportunity to try it out and see what the final outcome will be. This in turn could motivate users to continue using the product.

4. With people using Photosynth, it could spark their interest to look into other Microsoft products they could see as beneficial to them.

5. If this Inauguration project is a success, it opens opportunities for other companies to seek out using this product for their own business and endeavors.

6. Creating a good buzz about yourself and getting as many people involved, like Microsoft did, is usually always a success factor.