Redmond bound...

Just a short update to say that I have accepted a position with Microsoft in Redmond. 

I will be making the move from a field consulting role to the Windows SharePoint Services product group.  I will be a Program Manager working on the next release of WSS.  This will mean that I get to be a part of a really great team working on what many consider the most exciting product at Microsoft right now.

It is going to be a busy next couple of months!  I get married this Saturday to my fiancee of over a year Vicki,  then we honeymoon for 2 weeks at https://www.vatulele.com/.  Then back in NZ until April 9th and then we are off to the US via South America for a wee trip.  First day on the job will be May 7th (all going well with my Visa that is)

Plenty to do between now and then!

Most popular question so far has been ... "What is the difference between a Product Manager and a Program Manager at Microsoft?"

Answer:

program managers
Individuals who are responsible for pulling together and facilitating internal project team communication, driving trade-off decisions, and owning budget and resource planning for multiple projects or programs.

summary:  works on building a product like WSS :)

product managers
Individuals who are responsible for coordinating marketing programs, creating marketing materials and driving co-promotions with the software product groups, and also provide strategic, programmatic and marketing leadership to drive partner go-to-market strategies and implementation in support of divisional goals.

summary: markets a product like WSS/MOSS.