Neighbors

Update: RSS Feeds can be generated with MyRSS. (Thanks for the link, Adam!) This looks like a VERY handy tool.

Just when I thought I was getting to know the folks on the PR team fairly well, I’m shocked to find a blog written by someone who sits two doors down from me, Michael Wolf. Not only is he a marketer, he works on the Xbox PR team.

Michael happens to be a great writer, and I expect some great things from his blog. I’m also really glad to get to know him better by reading his blog. He and I just had a conversation about blogging, listening to customers, and building community.

Michael is often on the road “working” (if you can call it that!) our Xbox PR events. With his blog, you might get a behind-the-scenes look at that part of the business. In his post called Culture Clash he talks about an Xbox Live event co-sponsored with Ubisoft’s Game XIII.

I particularly liked his post about being in meetings (not just because he compliments me!). Some meetings at Microsoft are tough to sit through. In many cases, it's difficult to actually stay awake, let along pay attention. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt this way in my 13 years at Microsoft.

"I don't care how interesting the conversation is, or whether or not what's being talked about affects me directly, it's tough to sit there and listen to people drone on. It gets even worse when I have a new gadget to play with… [...]

The question is, how do these people who sit in these meetings, naturally attentive even when talking about the most dull materials, do it? Is it because they get more sleep? Or does it have something to do with a natural in-born ability to handle a hyper-intelligent culture? It seems that the people who aren't yawning, stretching, or otherwise showing fatigue in meetings are also the people who hold executive position, or are group managers. Which begs an additional question -- if I can't stay awake during plan review meetings, am I doomed to never be promoted to a directorship?"

For the record, Michael is as smart as anyone here (and likely much smarter than I). And I know for a fact that he's never actually fallen asleep in a meeting. And I'm sure he's talking about meetings from past groups or other companies, not this group (all rights reserved, no warranties expressed or implied, personal opinions, and all that)... :)

But he touches on something that I really believe: staying current with reading business books is one of the best investments you can make in your career. By reading 1-2 books a month, I'm able to stay current on the latest trends in business, marketing, and leadership. And by better understanding the "big picture," it's easier to stay engaged in conversations even if they're outside of my own area of expertise. And it can also give you the confidence to speak up in meetings, question concepts presented, offer direction when things stray, or just look quizzically at the presenter (I've mastered that one).

FWIW, being able to tune in and out while "multi-tasking" with a Tablet PC, Laptop, or Pocket PC has changed my productivity immeasurably.

Anyway, welcome to the blogosphere, Michael! Enjoy the ride!