13 years at Microsoft. What’s Next

Today is my thirteen year anniversary at Microsoft and though 13 is supposed to be an unlucky number, today I feel pretty lucky. I’m about to start a new era where a hobby becomes my day job. Nope, I’m not leaving Microsoft but I will be leaving this blog a little.

A few hours ago, I hit publish on the first post on a new site called Next at Microsoft. As some of you may know, I moved to Seattle about 6 months ago and have been heads down working on a lot of things – this new site has been one of them. A lot of the type of posts you’ve seen here over the years will start to appear on Next at Microsoft. My job title these days is storyteller and this blog, which has been a hobby in many ways, is a big reason for the change. I have a passion for telling the Microsoft story and when the chance came up to turn that in to my day job, it was hard to resist. For 13 years I have resisted the pull of the mothership but the time and the job were right.

My days are now spent dashing around Microsoft’s offices here in Redmond, Bellevue, and Seattle – as well as chatting with folks on the phone in our offices around the world – gathering stories about the people, products and places where they work. Next at Microsoft will be the place I post those stories so the frequency on this blog will go down as I focus my efforts there. As some of you know, I also have a Posterous site where I post the irreverent stuff I find on the web. That will continue.

I’d like to do 3 things

1. thank you all for following, commenting and encouraging this blog. it’s never been a day job and at times has gotten me in to trouble (you know who you are), it’s won me awards and introduced me to some lifelong friends.

2. invite you to Next at Microsoft and the associated twitter handle @MSFTNext. if you like what you read here, I think you’ll like my new home. I now have greater access to a lot more of the goings on here in Redmond so you’ll hopefully see some deeper insight in to that world.

3. bring a friend with you – let your friends know about Next at Microsoft and to give it a read. no subscription fees, no penalty if they cancel their readership :)

 

When I walked through the doors of Microsoft UK 13 years ago, I was amazed I’d managed to bluff my way in and I’ve never looked back. Have I looked beyond Microsoft at times and thought about what’s next? Sure, everyone has I imagine but for me, right now What’s Next is Next at Microsoft.

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Comments

• Anonymous
  December 02, 2010
  Congrats steve. An ideal job for u and I'm sure you'll make it a huge success... best of luck I look forward to reading it. Rob Gray

• Anonymous
  December 02, 2010
  It's been a pleasure to read the blog over the past few years (and post the odd comment), i'm looking toward to more of the same at 'next'. So long old blog and thanks for all the dye cut stickers.

• Anonymous
  December 02, 2010
  cheers Rob - much appreciated!

• Anonymous
  December 02, 2010
  Congratulations Steve - I have enjoyed reading your stories, your vision and your diverse news of developments in the Microsoft partner ecosystem. Your new role sounds exciting. To the next chapter. Cheers!

• Anonymous
  December 02, 2010
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  December 02, 2010
  Hi Steve, I have enjoyed reading your blog a lot. Every evening i hoped a new blog entry was made. But no worry, will put next into my favorites and rss feed :-). Regards, Max

• Anonymous
  December 04, 2010
  Good luck with the new site dear chap and glad all is going well in the US of A. All the best from Cape Town, Chris

• Anonymous
  December 06, 2010
  The comment has been removed