More Resources for Partners in a Tight Economy

Despite tough economic times that have resulted in the first significant layoffs in Microsoft’s history, company executives told partners at its 2009 Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) that they are optimistic that the company can use the recession to gain market share on competitors. Previewing one of the fullest product pipelines in its history, executives began to fill out details of significant changes in its partner program coming over the next 18 months and kicked off important initiatives in its drive to deliver hosted services, notably the Windows Azure platform.

Tenacity and Focus

The themes that will drive the company in its 2010 fiscal year were laid out by Kevin Turner, Microsoft’s chief operating officer, in the closing keynote address of the conference.

Citing the examples of the organizations that emerged most successfully from past recessions, Turner said the company will “lean in” to the storm, taking advantage of competitors’ weakness or caution. “Companies that are committed for the long term, that continue to fight for market share and work hard to satisfy their customers, are those companies that are going to win in the end.”