Learn from Microsoft's Mistakes

I'm guessing comments to this article will be overwhelming, it's a hot topic for most people. Microsoft slated WinXP for end-of-life this summer but recently announced they'd continue to make it available. The reason for that is Vista sucks.

Microsoft is just now showing the results of not staying competitive in a market that supports open source. When the Mac started using the Unix kernel for its OS it not only further stabilized their product but they brought more into their fold who were familiar with the underlying kernel. Microsoft keeps building on clunky, oversized code that only got fatter with Vista and requires more resources. Meanwhile, Linux can run lean and mean on an old 386 PC. Add this to the fact that you can buy a Mac now that won't be woefully outdated in 2 years and it's becoming harder to justify buying a system with Windows Vista. (And let's not forget the inherent security you get with Mac and Linux either.)

We agree...it's too hard to install and make it work...

Mr. Sexton, I sincerely appreciate this information. I am just beginning my due diligence, as I will be purchasing a new lap top very soon! As soon as I get that stimulus check to pay off my car, a new laptop is next on my list. I have been gathering information from "so-called" computer geeks at my place of employment, and none of them have mentioned anything to this effect. Of course, I will have to do my own, further, in-depth research, as well, but what you have mentioned gives me another outlook, and what to consider when making this type of purchase.

There is a certain cable company, whose owner actually went to WHARTON, (like the Trump's), and,this co., is, for the first time, experiencing competition from other companies. The new, available technology is quite innovative, but most people are still getting used to their present, standard digital converter boxes. Nowadays, televisions are automatically produced in HD (High Definition). And, conveniently enough, the only way that you can receive an HD signal, is by renting an HD converter box, and, paying an additional amt. each month, just for the HD signal. Or, you can rent an HD-DVR (Dig.video recorder) for an extra 13.95 a month! A second DVR in the household is 17.95 a month! (These are Jersey rates...prices may vary in other areas). That doesn't seem right, does it? And, like I said, there is new technology out there that will eventually make all of those lovely converter boxes obsolete. What if you are the type of person who keeps the same television until it blows out because is still gives a perfect picture? Then what? You're forced to buy a new television, and, add to your personal carbon footprint because you have to have the sanitation department haul off your old set? (The good news is that the new t.v. monitors are as slim as a picture frame). However, I have heard that they aren't building them like they used to in the old days. Most televisions made today, have a much shorter life. So, I guess if you have to upgrade after a couple of years, you don't have to worry about the waste, quite as much.

What's so great about HD? I'd rather not see every pore and freckle on a person's face, but, that's just me. Perhaps, if I actually had HD, I would grow to love seeing the most minute of details on a t.v. screen. It seems that it might be a bit distracting, at first.

In any event, the bottom line is that the cable companies need to just simplify the entire cable-subscribing process. The company that I spoke about seems to be making a few changes to retain loyal customers, in addition to attracting new ones. Ignoring their current customer base is a huge mistake that so many major corporations make. They take their loyal/longtime customer base for granted. And, not only do they ignore their customers because they have no competition, but, they abuse them, as well, by offering little or no customer service. They figure..."Ah, they're not going anywhere. They'll never go without cable television." I liken it to being in an abusive relationship with a person who has better connections or education. The one in the power position gets cocky because they think that the other person "needs" them. Little do they realize, the neglected/abused person in the relationship (the loyal cable subscriber), might be doing a little homework & will find a person (attentive cable company w/better rates) who doesn't stress them out so much. Or, just read books instead (in both instances). Cable television is supposed to be a no-brainer, not a headache, every time you turn on your set, or, open your monthly cable statement. All of the taxes and fees are enough of a turn-off.

Those of you with converter boxes, should definitely inquire with your cable company about the best possible rates, just as we do w/credit card cos. Look @ your stmt., line item by line item for any poss. "ghost" chgs. that may "mysteriousl

What are we suppose to learn from anything that we send into the market to be met by the consumer who does not want it, or does not like it, or can not adapt to it? Today we live in a world Darwin prepared us for, yet we refuse to accept that those who do not adapt will not survive. This law of adaptation can be applied to all sciences, and vistas in our modern day world (excuse the pun). Clearly, Microsoft has some quirks with the new software, yet they have a history of delivering products in the market that are ahead of our time, and I wonder if we are just in a "lapse" or time delay of some sort where technology has launched ahead of our modern applications and multiple uses of said technology. It is possible that they predicted a trend in the industry, and the program/software is the solution not presently available to us now. You must at least accept this as a plausible explanation despite the frustration you are experiencing. In truth they have demonstrated a history of revolutionizing culture/industry so, it is possible that there is method or a reason for the madness. It’s hard for me to see the rainbow at the end of any rainstorm but sometimes there is a reason beyond that which we assume as the consumer. This reason is not always to "screw" the consumer, but sometimes it may come off that way- people despise change – we like to be comfortable we like everything to stay status quo- but if we should not accept that change is inevitable then we shall never improve existing systems or bring fragmented systems of delivery into whole pieces. The world is changing- maybe Microsoft is preparing our markets for the changes (they predict they hold a fairly large world market)- so it is unlikely that they launched a truly horrible idea without some underlying business motive/model that they are relying upon. I never stick up for large corporations- it is simply not my style, but in this case I am going to hold off on slamming them, and answer the question you pose- I believe- is: in the absence of adaptation no culture, no civilization, no business, no group of people or animals can survive- much less flourish! So you make a mistake- (if it is a mistake) you make it right- if there is a greater good on the line you see what you can do about mitigating the damages while the greater good is achieved- in the meantime you trust and know that those who adapt to the change of anything will survive- those who never adapt to change will perish. The strong do survive in nature, and I believe Microsoft is a strong company in the software industry that will find a way to adapt to the smog they currently find themselves in- but you never know- they could just end up being the visible moths on the trunk of technology and get consumed- I doubt this will happen- sometimes it takes people time to figure out what end is up - then all is well once again- good to have any problem bigger than oil in my opinion- so regardless of how this turns out- we can at least thank them for taking our focus off of oil and giving the PRESS anything else to record!

Have you tried using an iMac? The OS is apparently very stable. I'm a Windows Guy and I think that XP really fits the bill. Great blog btw Trump Sir, love your no nonsense advice!

Hi Michael, I am sorry that you had to go through that with the new laptop. I know many people who are removing Vista from their computers and installing XP. I believe that they have forgotten that their customers have business to do every day and can't afford to loose the time fooling around with the problems that the customer is faced with.

I agree with you that this is a big mistake and they are loosing credibility and customers. I wonder how much sales of MACs have gone up since those ingenious commercials started airing. I am beginning to wonder if creating a product like Vista is being used as a tax write off.

Dear Mr. Michael,

Congratulations that the price of laptops in your country is cheaper than in our country. In my country ( Cambodia), US$400 can just afford a used ones while in you country, you can purchase a brand new ones. Cambodia is a very poor country in Southeast Asia. The income of the Government officers( Bachelor degree) is only around US$60.

One most important thing you better know is the sellers rather want you to buy their new products than repairing them that's why they just increase prices of repairing them up to almost the same price of new products. In my country, they just tell their customers right away that those old products can't be repaired while it can be repaired. Most of the times their customers find no choice, but purchasing their new products. You better remember that not only laptops, but all kinds of products.

Congratulations for your new laptop!

Please accept my highest.

God bless you.

Sincerely,


Dany

Microsoft is starting to offer cash back, here is the site that you need to learn about
regarding cash back when buying real estate. God Bless Trump!
<a href="http://www.cashbackrealty.com/">cash back real estate
</a

Correction on that link, thanks
Microsoft is starting to offer cash back, here is the site that you need to learn about
regarding cash back when buying real estate. God Bless Trump!
<a href="http://www.cashbackrealty.com/">Cash Back Real Estate</a>

I just want to be quiet because after I talked, mine has to be repaired.

Not only do I expect the products I buy to work correctly, with directions that are clear to me, in a language I can easily understand but I also expect great customer service when I have a problem getting the product to perform the stated functions.

Customer service should be the #1 priority of all businesses small or large. In an effort to cut back on expenses, and make a windfall profit too many businesses are neglecting the needs of their customers.

I almost made the same mistake that I resent the most. I thought email marketing would cut down on the time and expense of hiring a "real experienced customer representative." I also thought I can have an online store that never sleeps do all the work for me.

How wrong I was!

What I didn't think about was what if... "What if the marketing campaign was so successful that orders from loyal and first time customers was so large that my emal box would get backed up, and I couldn't handle the orders in an efficient time frame?"

In one day I had over 2,000 emails to respond to (or not) and nobody here to help me sort through them. I am not complaining about the attention I received. It was great! The problem is that I could have failed to supply great customer service in a timely way that would be sensitive to the needs of my customers and comfortable for me.

I only asked them for their opinion about the website. I didn't ask them to purchase anything.

The second big mistake could have been my inability to supply enough of one item without causing hardship on many of the small business vendors that I have partnered with. Disaster!

I need to rethink my distribution sources.

Thankfully, I didn't violate my #1 Golden Rule, Take good care of your customers, and they will take good care of you. Word of mouth in social blogs, can be very damaging to any business, large or small. It's better to have the kinks worked out , before subjecting your customers to inferior products or services.

Microsoft are you listening????

Update: I sent an email to Steve Ballmer the CEO of Microsoft. I believe Customer Service should be the #1 priority in every business large or small. When I buy a product or service it is reasonable to expect the product functions properly, and the service is the best.

I believe setting an example starts at the top. I believe Donald Trump sets a good example for everyone in his organization, for his children, friends, business associates and the public. Great leadership is easy to follow. Listening to your customers and helping them solve a problem is "good customer relationships."

Steve can you hear me? Can you hear me now? How about now?

The next step... I can always do business with Yahoo. But, I would prefer to do business with you.
Step up and be the man I think you are.