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Microsoft Customers Balk at Hard Sell

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the if-you-can't-beat-em-get-a-bigger-stick dept.

HangingChad writes "ComputerWorld is running an article about Microsoft's latest type of sales force scare tactic. Apparently Microsoft is using the new title of 'engagement manager' to attempt sales via intimidation. From the article: 'Indeed, according to Microsoft's Web site, the responsibility of someone with Lawless' title of "engagement manager" is to "perform as an integrated member of the account team, drive business development and closing of new services engagements in targeted accounts."'"

8 of 353 comments (clear)

  1. You must be new here by ColdWetDog · · Score: 4, Funny
    If there were any real alternatives to technology in today's Microsoft dominated juggernaut, these "practices" would send customers screaming to the competition. Unfortunately, so far, there aren't.

    Well, there is this interesting operating system that I heard about on this website called "slapdash" or something like that. Seems like it scales pretty well and some big computer companies like IBM are playing around with it.

    I think it was called 'Linux' - could be wrong about that.

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
    1. Re:You must be new here by the_womble · · Score: 4, Funny

      Mangu, you do not understand.

      Easy = exactly the same as in Windows.

      Nothing could possibly be better than Windows by definition.

      Even if your Linux distro could foretell the future and installed software automatically before you knew you needed it, people like this would still "know" that the way Windows does it is easier.

      You and I and a lot of other people know Ubuntu or Mandriva is generally a lot easier to use than Windows, but it is a waste of time trying to convince people who have an emotional investment in Windows and do not want to believe that Linux could be more user friendly.

  2. What has happened to Microsoft? by LibertineR · · Score: 4, Funny
    Why the hell are they intimidating people?

    Have they forgotten how effective BRIBING people can be?

    Have all the creative people left the company?

    Will someone PLEASE put Ballmer back in charge of Sales?

  3. Engagement? by erbmjw · · Score: 5, Funny
    One definition is
    a hostile encounter between military forces
    Perhaps it should be expanded to include a hostile encounter by corporate forces
  4. Ironic by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 4, Funny

    So the intimidation manager is actually named Lawless?

    --
    No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
  5. Nobody by bahwi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Nobody expects the MSFT Inquisition!

  6. Re:How biased can this website get? by Alioth · · Score: 4, Funny

    If you want pro-Microsoft or "unbiased" articles, then don't go to a website that advocates open source software. This is after all Slashdot, *not* Cee Colon Backslash Dot.

    --
    Oolite: Elite-like game. For Mac, Linux and Windows
  7. And so ends Linux licensing FUD by stinky+wizzleteats · · Score: 5, Funny

    So much for turning to commercially licensed closed source software as a way to reduce your exposure to IP legal threats.