Here’s something I completely forgot to add to my earlier post about “What Would – - – - Do?“…

Yes, I do occasionally think “What Would Microsoft Do?“.

And then of course, I do EXACTLY the OPPOSITE – especially when it comes to the quality of their products, their marketing, and their branding (or lack thereof).

So here’s yet another brilliant piece of marketing from Microsoft.

It really makes you cringe – and makes you wonder, is this the best they can come up with in spite of having all that money?

(Original) Brilliant “Host Your Own Windows 7 Launch Party” Idea from M$ (Original)

And here’s a parody of the ad….

(Parody) Brilliant “Host Your Own Windows 7 Launch Party” Idea from M$

The difference is pretty simple, actually

Quit Smoking
Simple: We all know the health benefits of not smoking. Quit smoking, live longer.
But Not Easy: The actual act of quitting is really hard.

Losing Weight
Simple: Do it and you will look good, feel good, and have more energy
But Not Easy: Working out frequently, cutting down on your favorite fatty foods, and eating healthy, is the hardest thing to do when you’re overweight.

Raving Fans
Simple: Take good care of your customers, and address their questions and concerns quickly.
But Not Easy: The amount of time and effort spent and processes you need to put in place. And sincerely caring about your customers.

Creating Something “Remarkable”
Simple: Build something that people want or need with a unique twist, go really deep in features, and address all the benefits.
But Not Easy: Think Microsoft. All the money and resources and clout in the world, yet they give us Windows ME and Vista.

Earning A Recurring Income
Simple: Build a membership site, add great content, price it well and market it well.
But Not Easy: Implementing the right membership software, creating great content consistently, doing the research and testing on pricing, implementing solid marketing.

If you just looked at what needs to be done, a lot of things in life are actually quite simple.

But the act of just doing it, doing it well, and continuing to do it well, is never ever easy.

Hope you don’t settle for the easy in life. Because nothing worth doing in life is ever easy.

Simple, may be, but never easy.

We all know what turned out to be the answer to that question.

So, here we go again: Do We Really Need Yet Another Browser?

If it’s coming from Google, then it’s definitely worth checking out.

It sends my brain tingling when I read this:

Because we spend so much time online, we began seriously thinking about what kind of browser could exist if we started from scratch and built on the best elements out there.

Also see this interesting thread at Slashdot.

What would happen if Microsoft were to design the iPod packaging?

Really witty, self-deprecating video, apparently made by ….. Microsoft employees!

- Ravi Jayagopal

Check out Steve Ballmer’s modest office.

What is it with corporate executives playing golf within the office? Are you somehow cool for being unprofessional and playing a game while someone’s trying to talk business with you? I just don’t get it. Let me know if you do.

- Ravi Jayagopal / LinkOverLoad.com