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Category: Microsoft

My letter to the Next Microsoft CEO (BusinessWeek)

Posted on October 10, 2013 in General, Management, Microsoft, Year Without Pantsby Scott Berkun

BusinessWeek asked me to use my experience at WordPress.com to offer advice to the future CEO of Microsoft: Recently,…

How Microsoft kills cool projects

Posted on November 1, 2011 in Business, Microsoftby Scott Berkun

There’s a good article detailing the death of Microsoft Courier, a tablet device project from 2009/10 led by J.…

Ray Ozzie, Microsoft and change

Posted on October 18, 2010 in Innovation, Microsoftby Scott Berkun

I’d occasionally get asked what I thought of Ray Ozzie at Microsoft. I’d say this “Great guy, a worthy…

Lessons from Google Wave and MSFT Kin

Posted on August 12, 2010 in Innovation, Microsoftby Scott Berkun

I’m a fan of things going wrong. It’s only when things go wrong that anyone pays attention enough to…

Should managers know how to code?

Posted on April 1, 2010 in Management, Microsoftby Scott Berkun

In a series of posts, called readers choice, I write on whatever topics people submit and vote for. If…

What Microsoft gets for $2 billion

Posted on February 17, 2010 in Management, Microsoftby Scott Berkun

As a follow up to my post on Microsoft and Creative Destruction, it’s worth looking at this chart (from…

Microsoft and Creative Destruction

Posted on February 11, 2010 in Innovation, Microsoftby Scott Berkun

A recent NYT article by former Microsoft VP Dick Brass has caused quite the stir, but for the wrong…

Microsoft and Making things happen

Posted on September 15, 2009September 3, 2014 in Making things happen, Microsoftby Scott Berkun

One common criticism, often mild, I hear about my book Making Things happen is it’€™s a Microsoft flavored book.…

The end of Encarta

Posted on April 10, 2009 in design, history, Innovation, Microsoftby Scott Berkun

Microsoft recently announced the end of the product known as Encarata. Way back in the day Encarta was cool.…

How project managers establish power

Posted on March 12, 2009 in Management, Microsoftby Scott Berkun

I remember the day I started working as a program manager on the Internet explorer team. On my second…

Program Managers vs. Interaction designers

Posted on March 12, 2009 in design, Making things happen, Management, Microsoftby Scott Berkun

Recently Joel on Software posted about how to be a program manager and he lists UI design as one…

Microsoft layoffs: thoughts

Posted on January 22, 2009 in Management, Microsoftby Scott Berkun

The big news in this corner of the world are the layoff announcement at Microsoft. Steve Ballmer’s email drops…

Success factors for program managers

Posted on January 19, 2009 in Management, Microsoftby Scott Berkun

In response to my post on the lost cult of PM at Microsoft, Charlie Owen’s was kind enough to…

The lost cult of Microsoft program managers

Posted on January 15, 2009 in Management, Microsoft, rantby Scott Berkun

Some of you know I worked at Microsoft years ago (’94-’03) as what they call a program manager. In…

Questions on Innovation from Microsoft: Answered!

Posted on December 8, 2008 in Innovation, Microsoftby Scott Berkun

Per Richard’s complaint, I’ve finally answered the questions mentioned back in September (hanging head in shame), when I spoke…

New video: How to make things happen

Posted on September 30, 2008 in design, Making things happen, Management, Microsoftby Scott Berkun

When Making things happen came out in March, I did a few talks here and there to help promote…

Questions on Innovation from Microsoft

Posted on September 9, 2008 in Management, Microsoft, On Tourby Scott Berkun

Had a nice crowd of about 150, plus another 300 online at Microsoft today. The talk will be posted…

Speaking at Microsoft next Tuesday

Posted on September 2, 2008 in Microsoft, On Tourby Scott Berkun

I’ll be swinging by Microsoft next week to speak at the Microsoft Research lecture series. I’ll be talking about…

How not to set goals: Steve Ballmer, a case study

Posted on August 12, 2008 in Making things happen, Management, Microsoft, Uncategorizedby Scott Berkun

Recently Steve Ballmer’s FY ’09 Strategy email was leaked. Out of curiosity I read the thing – and it…

Innovation by firing people

Posted on June 11, 2008March 19, 2014 in Creative Thinking, Innovation, Management, Microsoftby Scott Berkun

If the goal is to get a stagnant project to be more creative or productive, the best move is…

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Scott Berkun is the author of eight popular books on creativity, design, leadership and public speaking. You can hire him to speak, ask him a question or follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

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Scott's Awesome Books

How Design Makes The World

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“Nobody’s better at explaining how the world really works than Scott Berkun.” – Jeffrey Zeldman, co-founder of A List Apart

The Dance of the Possible

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"You'll find a lot to steal from this short, inspiring guide to being creative. Made me want to get up and make stuff!" - Austin Kleon, author of How To Steal Like An Artist

The Ghost of My Father

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The Year Without Pants: WordPress.com & the Future of Work

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“If you want to think differently about entrepreneurship, management, or life in general, read this book.” — Tim Ferriss

Mindfire: Big Ideas for Curious Minds

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Confessions of a Public Speaker

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The Myths of Innovation

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“Berkun sets us free to try and change the world.” — Guy Kawasaki

Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management

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“Highly recommended for CEOs, project managers, and hackers alike.” — Matt Mullenweg, Founder WordPress.org

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About Scott

Scott Berkun is the author of eight popular books on creativity, leadership, philosophy and speaking (more about Scott's background).

You can hire him to speak, ask him a question or follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

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He’s worked with respected organizations

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