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Best Buy + Windows Guru = Apple Store Experience?
CWmike writes "As part of Windows Vista's $300 million marketing rehab, Microsoft will hire an initial wave of 155 'Windows Gurus' to walk around Best Buy and Circuit City stores to answer customer questions and defend Vista's reputation against skeptics, reports say. Gurus will earn $20 an hour or more, plus benefits. (Apply here.) One way Windows Gurus will differ from Apple Geniuses is that they are not intended to be sources of free technical support for existing Vista users. 'The Guru role is to help sell Windows-based PCs. It is not to be an alternative tech support channel for Microsoft as this has no financial return beyond improved customer satisfaction,' Baker said. One reason: Windows Gurus could end up 'lightning rods for customers' frustrations with Vista.'"
We'd... um... like to be like that company... that sells that O/S... that every one like... likes.
So we're going to send out these expensive sales people... to hype our product... but not stand behind it like the other guys do... because that would... be like work, man.
FTA: The good thing is that Microsoft will be able to get Windows explained appropriately on the sales floor.
Oh my God, does this sound ominous. Any Best Buy employee explaining Windows "inappropriately" will be taken out back by a Windows Guru and "evangelized".
I'm a big tall mofo.
So existing customer satisfaction isn't important to Microsoft? Who would have ever thought that?
;-)
Well, knock me over with a feather!
More like villagers with torches and pitchforks.
No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
So does the $20/hr include danger pay?
OK guys, let's help:
Windows Warriors?
Vista Vultures?
Ballmer's Boys?
Hardy Heron?
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
While the application link is a nice touch, for some reason I think Microsoft may be wary of anyone coming in with a slashdot referer.
Given the commercials, I think it would be more appropriate for them to wander around Foot Locker...
I'm not quite sure I understand the tactic here. Best Buy and Circuit City - last I remember - don't sell Macintosh PCs or Linux/UNIX PCs. Therefore, the person would be in the store to shop for PC's loaded with Windows.
/me raises hand
Can I apply??
The Kai's Semi-Updated Website Thingy
That's cool, but do they meditate?
"Baker said. One reason: Windows Gurus could end up 'lightning rods for customers' frustrations with Vista.'"
That explains the uniform, a helmet and athletic cup.
I think I speak for us all when I say...
No.
What if I do the same thing, and I do get different results?
It would be true if PC prices were tripled, and the whole interior of the store was white.
I don't respond to AC's.
"I'm really interested in Vista, but I can't afford it. Are there any cheaper alternatives?"
"Hey, can I still use X feature of Vista if I downgrade to XP? Why not?"
"Quick question -- when is the next operating system after Vista coming out? I'm really excited about that one. No, I don't know anything about it yet..."
"How does Vista compare to non-Windows operating systems?" (Open ended, should provide some laughs)
"If Vista is so good, why are you being $20/hour to stand around and tell me how good it is?"
This could be worse than staffing one of the Dell kiosks in a mall where there's an Apple store.
-jcr
The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
Looking at where they're hiring I noticed Seattle, WA. I obtained the script that the Gurus will use there. It says, "Buy Vista or else the man on the hill there will find out!"
they are not intended to be sources of free technical support for existing Vista users
Until the people they convinced to buy Vista come back to the store in a black fart of rage looking for blood or someone to kidnap until their machine works like it did before.
Good. Freaking. Luck.
But... but... $20 extra an hour?! That'll certainly pull in a few MCPs! Come on!
Posts not to be taken literally. Almost everything is sarcasm.
[Enter PC and Mac. Each of them has a friend.]
Mac, "Hey PC, who is your friend?"
PC, "This is my [Microsoft store tool]. She's here to tell everyone how great Vista is. I see you have a friend. What does he do?"
Mac, "This is my genius. He helps everyone USE their Apple and answers any technical questions that they may have. PC, does your friend answer technical questions? Does your friend do anything other than try to convince people to spend money on a product and then leave them out in the cold when they have questions about it? Huh? Does he? Or is he just another over paid, worthless, Microsoft marketing..."
PC, "Shut up Mac!"
I wouldn't hire an MCSE for that much. Minimum wage plus a paid lunch break (15 minutes). Max.
I guess the BSOD was not enough? Now they want to have gurus too?
Don't have the energy or desire to determine all that.
I need a twinkie and some diet squirt.
How much is your data worth? Back it up now.
And the products would, you know, not suck.
-dZ.
Carol vs. Ghost
That's really dumb. Yes, the cert by itself doesn't mean much. But if this MSCE had 4 years system admin experience and just as many years Desktop support they they are damn well worth more then minimum wage. I'd start them around $15-18 an hour.
Just what MS needed....
I get it now. If you disagree with the majority on
19. All positions require the successful completion of a thorough background check and multiple-panel drug test prior to the start of your employment.
I think you're reading this requirement wrong. "Successful completion" of a multi-panel drug test means that you need to show proof that you are actually taking some sort of mind-altering drug or they won't allow you to work for them. The reason for this is simple: Being willing to work as a Windows Vista evangelist without being under the influence of narcotics is a sure sign of dangerous mental illness.
So, you initiate conversation with a Vista Guru while continuing to walk through BB, innocently meandering towards the Apple area, making sure to get near the Apple rep (if any). Once within earshot, ask about the whole iTunes/Vista BSOD silliness, and wait until the Guru and the Apple guy knock each other out, then loot the bodies! Effortless!
Returned Peace Corps IT Volunteer
Microsoft Marketeers
M I C, See the UAC!
R O S, Our O/S boots!
O F T, F U!
Help! Help! I'm being repressed!
It keeps real programmers from working for them
Go go Gadget Nailgun!
I remember when I worked a CompUSA, back when they were the exclusive retailer for Apple. We generally tried to keep one Apple specialist on staff at all times.
However, he was usually outnumbered by Apple fanboys that came in to the store to spread the good word of Apple, for no pay at all. Apparently local Apple owners were so in love with their Apples that they were willing to come in and preach the word of how much they loved their Apple, just for the fun of it.
And yes, of course the fanboys sometimes new more than our Apple specialist on staff.
But now Microsoft is going to pay fanboys to go in to retailers and preach the gospel. That really says something when the product from Microsoft cannot build the fandom that Apple had 10 or more years ago.
Disclaimer - I use neither Apple nor Microsoft products in my own personal use.
Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
I'd be livid if something I bought for $500 broke after only 5 months use, and if I then found out that because I was living in a country with barely any consumer rights I had no way to get this sorted out in a fair manner. I'd rip someone's guts out if they were in any way associated with that purchase.
You have a reasonable expectation at purchase that the goods will last a certain minimum amount of time.
(Empaasis added)
Do you also feel that one should have reasonable expectations about what scenarios will lead to having one's guts ripped out?
A: I'd like to return this $500 device which broke after only 5 months use.
B: Did you purchase the extended warranty?
A: No.
B: Sorry, the basic warranty only lets you return the product within 30 days of purchase.
A: I am livid for having found out that I live in a country with barely any consumer rights.
B: Hey, I hear you man. I'm actually a member of several consumer's rights groups, and have written quite a few letters to my political representatives.
A: I am going to rip your guts out, since you are associated with the purchase.
B: What? Are you serious? Hey, man, look, I'm just a poor college kid. I only got $20 bucks on me; but if you let me call my parents, I can try to get $500 bucks. I'll pay you out of my own pocket if it'll mean you won't kill me.
A: Rip. Guts. Out. Anyone associated.
B: Aaaaiiieeeee!
None of this has anything to do with actual software. It has to do with image. Strung out felons tend to not help create a good image.
Yeah. Stoners are bad publicity.
Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
The reason for this is simple: Being willing to work as a Windows Vista evangelist without being under the influence of narcotics is a sure sign of dangerous mental illness.
$20 an hour or more, plus benefits? That's awesome for a job that doesn't seem to require much in the way of education or experience. I've never even used Vista and I'm tempted to apply 'cause it requires less effort and pays better than my on campus research/tutoring gigs.
open source modern art: laser taggi
Vista Vixens, appropriately staffed, would do the trick ;-)
Well, the job certainly doesn't require you to know anything, because if you did, you couldn't sell Vista without lying.
You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.
Sure you can
"With Vista, you will find yourself working harder than you ever have before"
"I cannot recommend vista too highly"
"I am pleased to say I am a former user of vista"
http://notanumber.net/