I emailed Microsoft on 16th Jan 2006, to ask how I could talk to someone within the company about my ideas for a new internet based business.
Unlike Google or Ebay, Microsoft has actually replied to my email. The reply is below.
In a nutshell, Microsoft do not want to discuss business ideas with people.
I say I have a fantastic idea, they say, in a round about kind of way, they think I'm wrong and they really don't think it's worth their while finding out.
However, I can submit my idea to them, in which case they reserve the right to treat the idea as their own.
Interestingly they suggest that I may want to consider becoming an employee of Microsoft, in which case, I will be able to submit my idea! I'll add that one to my list. Watch this space!
Hey, you guys were third choice anyway........by a long way.
Ooops, that could have blown my chances of employment.
Dear Sir/Madam,
Unlike Google or Ebay, Microsoft has actually replied to my email. The reply is below.
In a nutshell, Microsoft do not want to discuss business ideas with people.
I say I have a fantastic idea, they say, in a round about kind of way, they think I'm wrong and they really don't think it's worth their while finding out.
However, I can submit my idea to them, in which case they reserve the right to treat the idea as their own.
Interestingly they suggest that I may want to consider becoming an employee of Microsoft, in which case, I will be able to submit my idea! I'll add that one to my list. Watch this space!
Hey, you guys were third choice anyway........by a long way.
Ooops, that could have blown my chances of employment.
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for your email and for taking the time to give Microsoft® this opportunity.
Due to the legal rights pertaining to intellectual property Microsoft has a strict policy on the submission of unsolicited ideas, as outlined below. We don’t have a creative product development programme however the available options are:
1. Proposing a suggestion or feedback to Microsoft via the following web site. http://register.microsoft.com/mswish/suggestion.asp
2. Developing the product independently of Microsoft (if the product is to be integrated with a Microsoft product then the Microsoft ISV Royalty Licensing Program). http://members.microsoft.com/partner/competency/isvcomp/RoyaltyLicensing.aspx
3. Working for Microsoft directly i.e. applying for an appropriate vacancy from http://www.microsoft.com/uk/careers/
UNSOLICITED IDEA SUBMISSION POLICY.
MICROSOFT® OR ANY OF ITS EMPLOYEES DO NOT ACCEPT OR CONSIDER UNSOLICITED IDEAS, INCLUDING IDEAS FOR NEW ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS, NEW PROMOTIONS, NEW PRODUCTS OR TECHNOLOGIES, PROCESSES, MATERIALS, MARKETING PLANS OR NEW PRODUCT NAMES. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY ORIGINAL CREATIVE ARTWORK, SAMPLES, DEMOS, OR OTHER WORKS. THE SOLE PURPOSE OF THIS POLICY IS TO AVOID POTENTIAL MISUNDERSTANDINGS OR DISPUTES WHEN MICROSOFT'S PRODUCTS OR MARKETING STRATEGIES MIGHT SEEM SIMILAR TO IDEAS SUBMITTED TO MICROSOFT. SO, PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR UNSOLICITED IDEAS TO MICROSOFT OR ANYONE AT MICROSOFT. IF, DESPITE OUR REQUEST THAT YOU NOT SEND US YOUR IDEAS AND MATERIALS, YOU STILL SEND THEM, PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT MICROSOFT MAKES NO ASSURANCES THAT YOUR IDEAS AND MATERIALS WILL BE TREATED AS CONFIDENTIAL OR PROPRIETARY
Please accept our apologies for any disappointment that this may cause. If we can be of any further assistance please call us between 8AM to 6PM Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays) on 0870 60 10 100.
Thank you for getting in touch with us.
Kind Regards,
Microsoft Customer Services
How do you get in front of the right people with an idea for a new internet business?
This post first appeared on How To Make Contact With Google?: How To Generate, please read the originial post: here
