I'm relatively new to Microsoft.  I joined about a year ago, coming from a small startup with roots out of Carnegie Mellon University.   In fact, I've spent most of my career getting startup technology companies up and running -- first as a marketing strategist, then as a venture capitalist, and more recently as an entrepreneur.  So, I'm used to the ambiguity, the rapid rate of change, and the unique demands of the startup world. 

I assumed that when I joined Microsoft, most of that would be lost. 

A year into this, I am delighted to say that hasn't been my experience at all.  In fact, it has been quite the opposite.  The Office Live team has many of the same startup characteristics that I've become accustomed to: unbridled passion for doing new and innovative things...people committed to doing whatever it takes to get a great product shipped...and most of all, a willingness/need to listen to the customer. 

Startup guru Guy Kawasaki points out the importance of listening to customers in one of his Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders Lectures:

"It is a good thing to see people using your product in a way you didn't intend...it means that your product means something to them."

Over the last few months, the Office Live Workspace team has done just that.  We've spent a prodigious amount of time surveying, focus grouping, and meeting with potential customers in their native environments.  There is nothing more powerful than hearing customer feedback firsthand.  It's so powerful, in fact, that I believe the most basic of all business principles is "the power of one." 

So, what is the power of one?  Quite simply, it's the notion that every person in an organization (from the secretary to the CEO) should get out and talk to/listen to at least one customer.  Obviously, I think it's important to listen to more than one customer. But, I've found that once a person starts listening to one customer...they just can't stop. 

I distinctly remember one of our product planners coming back from a customer site visit with a "wow" expression on his face.  He sat down in my office and said something to the effect of "hmmmm...that was a real eye opener."  This planner is an experienced guy who's been on many site visits before.  But, that's the beauty of the "power of one."  It's an eye opener each and every time. 

As a result of talking with prospective customers (many of them, not just one)...our messaging and our value proposition has become more refined...we've made feature enhancements...we've made usability improvements...we've morphed the very essence of a workspace.  And, as we enter this beta phase, I'm happy to say that we will continue to make improvements to the offering.  So, once you're off the wait-list and get access to your very own workspace...don't forget about us.  Let us know what you're thinking.  We'll make changes...we'll improve...we'll get better based on your feedback.  After all, that's the Power of One.

Matt Fleckenstein