| |  A Fresh Start
Dear reader,
Welcome to the new-look Momentum. This updated format is the result of extensive research into the needs of IT and business decision makers, not only in North America but worldwide. You'll find new features such as Reader Spotlight, along with tried-and-true favorites like Tips & Techniques.
Each issue will cover topical business issues from both IT and business management perspectives. Our intent is to foster dialogue and understanding between the two audiences and to provide actionable insight to help you meet the goals of your organization.
We welcome your input into how we can make this newsletter most relevant to your individual and business needs. Please send comments, complaints, and insights to mo-info@microsoft.com. | | |
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|  | | Sincerely, |
Will Knight
Director of Marketing
US Midmarket Business
Microsoft | | | Featured articles |  | |  | | Serving Infinite Needs with Finite Resources | | Budgets may be growing slower than citizen needs, but meeting those needs is still the top priority for state and local governments. Learn about the strategies and tools that successful organizations are using to transform business processes in a tight economy. |
| | | Key Data's Been Hacked: Now What? | | IT executives who have successfully handled data breaches and other incidents say communication is actually one of the most effective ways to contain a crisis. |
| | | Improving Business Intelligence | | Microsoft CRM's predictive analytics tools can detect patterns in customer and prospect information, and prioritize leads by analyzing which types are most likely to convert to sales. |
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| | Technology at work | | |  | | Avoid Pricey Mobile Charges Abroad | | The pleasure of returning from a trip overseas can turn sour when your next mobile phone bill arrives. There are ways to minimize the expense and prevent other phone-related hassles. All it takes is some knowledge and planning before you leave. |
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| |  | | Spring DRAM Price Bargains | | Users looking to add more dynamic RAM to their PCs are likely to see bargains throughout May and June as prices of memory chips continue to crash. |
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| | | | | |  | | Brewing Up a New Desktop Elixir | | Sierra Nevada Brewing Company was an early adopter of Windows Vista, utilizing the "Lite Touch" option available with Microsoft's Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment 2007. |
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| |  | | Consumers Increasingly Buy Tech Online | | Consumer technology retailers that balance their online and in-store experiences with integrated supply chain, customer data, and collaboration technology are poised to win big even as some big-name bricks-and-mortar operations struggle. |
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| | Reader spotlight | | | It's a Dog's Work Life
By Pete Bartolik
Seven Simple Machines has a 2:5 ratio of dogs to software developers. Thankfully, not all of the canines show up for work every day, according to president and co-founder Monnix Jelinek.
The Seattle-based developer of customer enterprise applications based primarily on .NET and SQL Server has been dog-friendly since its founding in 2004. Actually, it goes back even further, when Jelinek worked for a company named (no lie) Doghouse, but at that time he didn't have a dog.
By the time Seven Simple Machines was formed, he'd acquired Kaci, who is now a mobile fixture in the office. "Kaci is used to being in the workplace and likes to roam the halls. People need to make sure they cover their lunch, but it doesn't take long for people to learn that."
Eight of the company's 20 workers are dog owners. In addition to Kaci, Siri is "full time," while the other pets are part-timers. Five four-legged workmates are the most that have strayed in at any one time, although at a previous office co-located with other dog-friendly businesses as many as 15 tail-waggers might have shown up.
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Office romances do not seem to be a problem with the furry set.
|  | | | | Pete Bartolik | | |
"Having dogs around softens the environment," says Jelinek. "Clients are all pretty great with it. We have a couple of clients who like to come to the office and visit just to see the dogs. We'll be in a meeting and a dog will come in and then its break time and they can pet the dogs."
Office romances do not seem to be a problem with the furry set. "There's something about being inside that makes the dogs a little more reserved. I've never seen that happen," he says.
He doesn't think it has scared away potential recruits, who are in high demand in the Seattle area, but does concede a couple of workers from other countries were initially concerned because they're more accustomed to dogs used for protection. "But they've totally acclimated," he notes.
Pete Bartolik edits Microsoft Momentum and shares a workspace in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, with an 8-year-old mutt named Chloe.
Editor's Note: We're soliciting ideas for future Reader Spotlights featuring stories that are interesting, unusual, or humorous. If you have a story you think should be told, send us a note at
mo-info@microsoft.com. |
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