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Time for an office move...

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Office moves at Microsoft may qualify as the corporate version of urban legends. Kind of like the free soda, and the weird stuff we do to people on their anniversary. When I started at Microsoft, I was told to expect an office move about once a year. I know someone who claimed to be in the same office for the longest period of time (I think it was 5 or 7 years...and it's possible that record has been broken since).

We add new buildings to our campus (some through construction, some we acquire, some we rent), group structures change, teams are joined, etc., etc. Lots of reasons for office moves.

My history of office moves at Microsoft has been pretty typical. When I started in the sumer of 99, I was in building 18 (not a recruiting building), sitting with my clients. Within about 6 months, a window office became available and it was my choice to move (I like to see the sun both months that it's out...OK just kidding...it was actually out today...no joke). Then our team moved downstairs in the same building. Must have been there about 9 months.

Then we moved to building 22 (also not a recruiting building). Slightly off campus. Had just one office over there. Then I was asked to cover for someone's maternity leave and moved to building 19 (the recruiting building), downstairs. Then when we created our central sourcing organization, I moved upstairs to the largest office I've had so far....with really big windows (just lucky I guess). Now I am moving again, to building 100.

Yes folks, that's 7 offices in 5.5 years. That's just kind of how it is. I actually like to purge files, get organized and make a fresh start. We have movers who do the physical part of the move (you have to pack your boxes, they move boxes and all your computer equipment, set it up, etc...they will even move your refrigerator). I actually painted a few of my offices (those would be offices number 3 and 4). Now I think I am over it. Although I am cursing myself for accumulating so much stuff (I've packed 11 boxes so far).

It's kind of nice to get a change of scenery now and then anyway. My new office is smaller but I'll be sitting with my team and the building is right off the freeway. I'm looking forward to settling in....again.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    December 01, 2004
    Have you seen "Office Space"? :)
  • Anonymous
    December 01, 2004
    Funny that you ask...it's in my DVD player. I tried to watch it while I was sick and fell asleep. I was just telling my co-worker Maria that I am learning to cut my losses with movies that are bad after the first ten minutes (I mean, have you seen Moulin Rouge?).

    Are you telling me that it is actually good? Let me just say that I appreciate Spinal Tap humor over CaddyShack (irony beats slapstick in my book). I know it's a delicate distinction.

    Tell me now Chris....Office Space is about to go back in the Netflix envelope tonight! ; )
  • Anonymous
    December 01, 2004
    It's a great movie. It's a classic. you must watch it. DO NOT MAIL IT BACK. KEEP IT! heh. All my friends have seen it at one time or another since it came out in '99.

    You'll be quoting this movie for life.
  • Anonymous
    December 01, 2004
    The comment has been removed
  • Anonymous
    December 01, 2004
    The comment has been removed
  • Anonymous
    December 01, 2004
    The comment has been removed
  • Anonymous
    December 02, 2004
    chris...I'm going to watch it this weekend but just because you said so. It better be good! ; )
  • Anonymous
    December 03, 2004
    I like your blog (first time/first time).

    My company is only about five years old and growing rapidly, and we've also had many, many moves. We've just completed our seventh office move in four years. We keep expanding the same facility, so it's not as drastic as your situation of going to an entirely new building all the time, but dealing with the time and trouble of packing up everything and hoping it make it to its new location is still a big pain. On the bright side, it's nice to know our respective employers are willing to make those kinds of changes when they're needed. I doubt most companies do.
  • Anonymous
    December 03, 2004
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  • Anonymous
    December 03, 2004
    Office Space is definitely in my top 5 movies. I watch it often and love every minute.

    I am currently on office #8 and have been in this same one for almost full year. I can't believe it! Of course, it is quite sad that office #8 is the same as office #3. I guess it's just the circle of life. If you combine my two stops in this good ol' office, I'm closing in on 1 1/2 years. that has to be some sort of record.
  • Anonymous
    December 03, 2004
    The comment has been removed
  • Anonymous
    December 06, 2004
    Oh, yay...my buddy PatBlu is commenting on my blog! I miss you Pat...."irregardless" of the fact that I saw you recently.

    So I didn't actually watch office Space yet. But I will this week for sure. If PatBlu says it's good, it must be good!
  • Anonymous
    June 13, 2005
    OK, don't laugh. I actually asked for it this time. For those of you that asked if we move offices as...
  • Anonymous
    October 05, 2005
    Help! This is my first blog of any kind so hopefully I'm following protocol....

    I am trying to find an old acquaintance at Microsoft named Mark Brown. I've been told by a mutual acquaintance that Mark works as a recruiter in something like the Home Entertainment group (?) and I can't recall the building complex, but would know it when I hear it. Can you help?

    hheath@onsitefinancial.com