Hallo Motoicrosoft

Summary: Apparent overlap in staff may or may not impact business decisions

THE REASON to worry about insider intervention is well documented in the form of recent examples. When an employee departs from Microsoft, he or she is able to cause a lot of damage to Microsoft competitors which have such people recruited. In some cases, these are not direct competitors but rather they are potential allies or 'surrogate' companies (e.g. media channels) that can impose Microsoft products upon their clients. Unfortunately, that's just how it typically works. That's life.

A year ago we saw Microsoft emitting/letting one of is chiefs inherit the throne of Vodafone and it didn't take long to see some effects [1, 2, 3, 4]. Several months later and in last week's news we saw more of this relationship coming to fruition:

Vodafone to offer Microsoft online services

[...]

Vodafone, the world's largest mobile phone network operator by revenue, is to offer Microsoft online services to small and medium-sized businesses through the computer, phone and browser, it said on Thursday.

[...]

"By combining Vodafone's fixed and mobile communication services with Microsoft Online Services we can provide all the elements of a fully hosted communications solution."

"Mission accomplished" or just a coincidence? It probably doesn't matter much. They are like a pair of canaries now.

Microsoft and Vodafone intend to continue to grow the partnership through future collaboration and development that will yield business solutions and capabilities that integrate Vodafone Voice Services and Virtual PBX, which will ultimately provide a fully converged fixed and mobile communications solution for businesses.

A week ago we also wrote about Microsoft's latest escapades not only in the BBC but also -- potentially -- inside other media channels across the UK. The Independent may have more information about this. For context and background, readers should be aware of who Ashley Highfield is and what such people are doing.

Why the collapse of Kangaroo is an 'opportunity’ for Microsoft

Ashley Highfield was the king of new media at the BBC. Now, in his first interview since joining Microsoft, he tells Ian Burrell of his plans to make MSN the home of online television

It's easy to smell cronies when you see them. ⬆

Related posts:

• Why BBC is Microsoft Media (Video)
• Ashley Highfield to Finally Get Paid by His Masters
• Microsoft's Grip on the BBC is Tightened
• Dear BBC, Shame on You