tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17898384.post5319446689655257036..comments2024-03-25T21:41:06.801-07:00Comments on Mobile Opportunity: News flash: Microsoft liedMichael Macehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17966107280587843091noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17898384.post-44173933110264799002009-01-27T03:57:00.000-08:002009-01-27T03:57:00.000-08:00Yea, it's really a major problem that, Microsoft h...Yea, it's really a major problem that, Microsoft has a 20 more year story of bad attitude.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17898384.post-68468247894762392262009-01-16T19:25:00.000-08:002009-01-16T19:25:00.000-08:00Thanks for the interesting comments, folks.I think...Thanks for the interesting comments, folks.<BR/><BR/>I think my comments on Microsoft overshadowed the main point I was trying to make about ethics in business. The Microsoft-bashing is sort of fun, but I was mostly trying to use Microsoft as an example. Unfortunately, I think I hid that point.<BR/><BR/>So, here's what I was trying to say:<BR/><BR/>There's a reason why virtually every human civilization has developed a code of ethics. The ethics are there to guide you when there are holes in the laws. No set of laws can be written so specifically that they will guide you through everything you do in life. So to fill in the gaps, you need a set of general guidelines on how to deal with other people. Things like the one that applies in this case, "don't lie."<BR/><BR/>The trouble about a code of ethics, though, is that by definition it can't be enforced by a court. So we need other forms of enforcement. One is public disapproval. Thus my post.<BR/><BR/><BR/><B>Paulo wrote:</B><BR/><BR/><I>>>It says "Microsoft lied" when one employee lied, teached others to lie and was fired for doing so.</I> <BR/><BR/>You should check out James' website. He was running company-approved mandatory training, and it sounds like he retired from Microsoft, with honors, to move to Australia. <BR/><BR/>They disowned him only years later, after the documents were used against Microsoft in court. James writes: "Exactly as I would have done, back in the day."<BR/><BR/><BR/><B>Ron wrote:</B><BR/><BR/><I>>>The behaviour of large corporations simply represents the collective consciousness of its management, employees and society at large. What needs to happen is for society to recognize that real inner spiritual development takes precedence over other forms of education.</I><BR/><BR/>Or at least needs to be on an equal footing with it. <BR/><BR/><BR/><B>Anonymous wrote:</B><BR/><BR/><I>>>Seems like most big companies are engaged in evil practices, Microsoft just got caught... </I><BR/><BR/>That's the usual excuse the misbehaving companies will toss at you. In my experience, it's not true. Any large company will have some bad employees, and all companies struggle with ethical issues. But I believe the majority of them are not systematically amoral.<BR/><BR/>And even if they are, all the more reason to speak up.<BR/><BR/><BR/><B>Marsha wrote:</B><BR/><BR/><I>>>it became a part of the culture. What other companies are doing is never an excuse for illegal or immoral behavior done by another firm. </I><BR/><BR/>Exactly.Michael Macehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17966107280587843091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17898384.post-43831215758819147572009-01-16T15:59:00.000-08:002009-01-16T15:59:00.000-08:00"Seems like most big companies are engaged in evil..."Seems like most big companies are engaged in evil practices, Microsoft just got caught at it."<BR/><BR/>No, read the post - it became a part of the culture. What other companies are doing is never an excuse for illegal or immoral behavior done by another firm. <BR/><BR/>Let's get it straight - as people working within a company we form the organization. There isn't some Great Oz behind a curtain. It's about personal responsibility. <BR/><BR/>And Mr. Robins - our current economic situation is exactly the reason why we must indeed have regulation. <BR/><BR/>Excellent job, Mr. Mace. I'd say your thoughts are right on time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17898384.post-5614843752453673782009-01-16T14:22:00.000-08:002009-01-16T14:22:00.000-08:00Seems like most big companies are engaged in evil ...Seems like most big companies are engaged in evil practices, Microsoft just got caught...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17898384.post-958945156130316352009-01-16T08:52:00.000-08:002009-01-16T08:52:00.000-08:00> Microsoft has a 20 more year story of bad att...> Microsoft has a 20 more year story of bad attitude<BR/><BR/>Exactly: "At Microsoft, we get our hatred the old-fashioned way: we EARN it."<BR/><BR/>(to paraphrase a nearly as old TV commercial a famous elderly actor did for a broker - John Houseman for Smith-Barney)<BR/><BR/>And Microsoft deserves every bit of it. And even if it didn't, well, there's "pour encourager les autres" ... Google's "don't be evil" has a motive ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17898384.post-12069704639695989642009-01-16T08:30:00.000-08:002009-01-16T08:30:00.000-08:00I'm surprised to read this - at least part of it. ...I'm surprised to read this - at least part of it. I can't believe there's a Windows Mobile ISV in the world who would say Microsoft took "good care of us, didn't let us feel like pawns, or treated us with respect". Microsoft's been treating Windows Mobile ISVs badly from day one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17898384.post-44900717042109636952009-01-16T07:49:00.000-08:002009-01-16T07:49:00.000-08:00Ethics and good human behaviour cannot be regulate...Ethics and good human behaviour cannot be regulated or legislated. The behaviour of large corporations simply represents the collective consciousness of its management, employees and society at large. What needs to happen is for society to recognize that real inner spiritual development takes precedence over other forms of education.<BR/><BR/>Incorporating personal values in investing decisions is another important approach for anyone concerned about business ethics. I believe that when we invest in a company, or many companies in the case of a mutual fund, we share in the responsibility for the activities of those companies as well as participate in the outcomes of their corporate activities. So, anyone valuing their personal or spiritual growth has to take these things into account when investing.<BR/><BR/>Also, if everyone invests according to their personal values, then, since so many of our core values are alike — and are supportive of higher ideals — that in the long run, only companies employing these higher values will truly prosper. And there is real evidence of this now.<BR/><BR/>I advocate, teach and write on the subject of ethical investing -- and have a popular website that has unique information which might interest you. It includes the latest global ethical investing news and research. My site is at <A HREF="http://investingforthesoul.com/" REL="nofollow"> www.investingforthesoul.com </A><BR/><BR/>Best wishes, Ron RobinsRon Robinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02939240770199747573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17898384.post-40487931139854193272009-01-16T06:15:00.000-08:002009-01-16T06:15:00.000-08:00"I'm not a Microsoft apologist, but this seems acc..."I'm not a Microsoft apologist, but this seems accumulated hatred."<BR/><BR/>the problem is, Microsoft has a 20 more year story of bad attitude.<BR/><BR/>you can't blame people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17898384.post-61386453275133405062009-01-16T05:55:00.000-08:002009-01-16T05:55:00.000-08:00Your post is at the very least polemic. It says "M...Your post is at the very least polemic. It says "Microsoft lied" when one employee lied, teached others to lie and was fired for doing so. I'm not a Microsoft apologist, but this seems accumulated hatred. This is a rather probable scenario in any company, especially big enterprises, just that perhaps most never get public about these matters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17898384.post-80606170833202329462009-01-16T02:26:00.000-08:002009-01-16T02:26:00.000-08:00I don't CARE whatever microsoft is good, evil or n...I don't CARE whatever microsoft is good, evil or nice !<BR/><BR/>only ONE solution for a great industry<BR/><BR/>- to make Good Products <BR/>- to stop corruption (justice and prison).<BR/><BR/>nothing else I care.<BR/><BR/>-<BR/>I'm sick speaking about companies having ugly products but you have to speak about them because many times ago they got the opportunity to become a GIANT.<BR/><BR/>they are only that : a Giant. and it's tiresome.<BR/><BR/>End.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com