Thanks Bill

Taken last summer during an awards reception in Orlando this has to be one of the highlights of my 10 years at Microsoft. The M$ bashers can say what the like - Bill changed the world and he’s off to do it again as he steps down from his full time role at Microsoft next week. It’s a little sad if I’m honest but he’ll still be working at Microsoft on key projects and I’m sure every now and then we’ll still get a company wide email from Bill. I suspect that’s the one occasion when most people in the company stop and read an email immediately – imagine the giddy excitement of  a new boy when an email like this first drops in your inbox. I can still remember it.

For me it’s been a privilege to work here for 10 years of Bill’s reign. I never thought I’d work at Microsoft – I never even applied and was astonished and quite taken aback when a Microsoft employee suggested I ought to work there. I’m still quite surprised to be honest. The first time I applied I didn’t get in – we mutually agreed it wasn’t the right role. 6 months later I was back in Reading for interviews and Microsoft thought they were hiring another Steve. It wasn’t until after they’d made me an offer that this was realised. Too late, I’d accepted their offer to move south and become one of Bill’s gang. (long and fun story I may tell sometime here)

Talk about a life transforming move. Not only have a got to meet Bill on a couple of occasions but travelled the world, learnt to become a half decent public speaker, lost my Liverpool accent, helped launch some amazing products (and some not so amazing), owned more computers than I can care to remember, bought my first house, sang Abba on stage in front of 3500 colleagues, won a few awards, almost got arrested in Tijuana, put Microsoft on a wine bottle, and so much more. Most of all though, I’ve met some of the most amazing, smart, fun people in the world. That sounds like a cliche I know. It is…but it’s also true.

Anyway, thanks Bill. You built a pretty special place. I like it here so I’m going to stay a little longer. If you need any help at the foundation though, just drop me email. I’ll be sure to read it immediately :)

Comments

• Anonymous
  June 30, 2008
  What a guy, Big love to big Steve and your a bit of a legend yourself mate, the passion you have for life and for what you do is inspiring, oh and would love to hear the Tijuana story  :)

• Anonymous
  July 01, 2008
  The comment has been removed