Mark Penn has been brought in by Microsoft to lead the fight against Google.
Mark Penn is a serious political pro. He is a bruiser. He relaxes by running campaigns and trampling his candiates’ opponents. He’s very good at it.
The New York Times profile points out that this at last shows a seriousness of mind from Microsoft to taking on the challenges that face them.
You can read the piece @
Run a Political Campaign When You Want to Win
It is a seriousness that very few companies ever display.
The idea that engaging with politicians and policy makers on their terms, in language they understand seems to be alien to many companies. They’ll gripe that they did not get what they wanted, their product/service got banned or their competitors got their product/service banned.
Telepathy Does Not Work
Tried and tested techniques from the political campaign can be used. Speaking with politicians around election/selection time, raising a public debate, even speaking to key people early in the game, are all basic rules of the political campaign.
They work. Maybe industry will try it (one day).