Microsoft Attempting to Lure Away Apple Retail Store Staff?

[electroshock]

If Apple's truly deviously smart, they'll promote some idiot through the retail ranks then hype the heck out of them informally through backroom channels to float the lure before Microsoft. Then let Microsoft persuade the said idiot to join their staff...

All kidding aside, not sure I see what the big deal is. It's just business as usual and what smart companies with money do: try to leverage their presence by hiring talent with a proven track record from competitors.

Why do people leave a job? Money, lack of a sex life (at some places due to the work hours and days), boredom, issues with colleagues or management, lack of promotion or responsibilities, spouse wants to relocate, new family and needing time with them, substance abuse, fraud or theft, and 101 other things that could compel someone to leave. So what? Let whomever leave... leave, and let those who's still at Apple in continuing the tradition of success.

 

[spillproof]

I smell desperation. But, this move is not a half-bad idea.

 

[001]

I pity the fool.

Some people innovate, others imitate.

 

[DMann]

I smell desperation. But, this move is not a half-bad idea.

Yep, neither were Microsoft BOB, Windows ME, Windows Play For Sure, Windows Live Care, Windows Defender, Microsoft Passport, or Windows Movie Maker. All have been less than half-good, more than half-bad, and thoroughly half-baked.

 

[HLdan]

Wow, Microsoft steals everything from Apple, even their employees. FAIL. Now where's the "vote negative" button.

 

[psingh01]

Retail is retail. I'd switch too if they offered me double my salary. Why not?

 

[the vj]

LOL I can see the next Apple tv comercial...

The PC guy dressed just likie the Mac guy and repeating all what the Mac guy says.

 

[bug67]

Ha!

First off, competition is a good thing.

However, this really is laughable. What, besides the Zune and boxes of software is Microsoft going to sell at these stores?

For all the Apple retailers who are jumping ship for higher salaries, this is going to be a MAJOR fail and you are going to be unemployed when this idea tanks.

 

[.Andy]

Microsoft could easily accomplish this with a trail of tight skinny black jeans and some hair styling products.

 

[Sun Baked]

If it is anything like the other retail places penetrating a market using trained staff.

They offer them a higher starting salary, and they basically end up training their cheaper replacement ... as they are screwed on raises in the future and worked like dogs only to see the cheap hires get raises and promoted beyond them.

 

[rhett7660]

Like this doesn't ever happen in the retail industry? Come on, Target>Wal-Mart>Best Buy etc etc etc.... This happens all the time. No different. I don't see why this should be page one news either. Nothing new here really.

 

[iMaggot]

LMAO this is epic

 

[simsandwhich]

Some of you guys on here are so mis informed. You describe a Microsoft that hasn't existed for at least a decade. Ever actually TRIED windows 7? Have even tried Vista? I've never gotten a virus. EVER. I don't have an anti virus.

It's a retail store. That's not unique to apple. They will have employees who aim to help customers. Once again, not unique to apple.

Some of you guys need to get things into perspective. The world does not revolve around Apple. If it revolves around anything, it's Windows, purely based on market share.

 

[Lastof]

I don't really see an issue with Microsoft offering the Managers a job, with a better paycheck to entice them. I would imagine that it's fairly standard practice, and if they are aiming at building a successful chain of stores selling hi-tech gadgets, who better to target than people who have run Apple Stores, which clearly aim for that image.

I do think the "Apple managers who have accepted Microsoft's offers have reportedly then been tasked with attempting to hire Apple retail store staff, similarly dangling increased compensation as an incentive for employees to make the switch." bit seems out of line though. Head Hunting the managers is fine, but then asking/telling them to try to recruit some of their former employees doesn't seem right to me. If they felt they worked with someone well, and offered them jobs unprompted, that would be fine, but if they are being asked to do so, it just seems unethical.

 

[cheesymogul]

LOFL!
That's about as smart and effective as for the church hiring atheists as priests!!!

 

[DMann]

It's a retail store. That's not unique to apple. They will have employees who aim to help customers. Once again, not unique to apple.

Neither is silicon - it's all about implementation.

Apple Store Locations - we'll follow in Apple's Footsteps
Apple Store's open layout - we'll copy that as well
Genius Bar - Guru Bar
Apple workshops and events - we'll attempt to model them
iPod - Zune
The App Store - Zune Marketpla∈
Dock - Taskbar
Quick Look - Aero Peek
Finder - Windows Explorer
Widgets - Gadgets
Apple Employees -- go get'em while you still can

 

[4D4M]

Some of you guys need to get things into perspective. The world does not revolve around Apple. If it revolves around anything, it's Windows, purely based on market share.

No, you need to get things into perspective. This is a site for Mac enthusiasts. The world does revolve around Apple on this little part of the internet. If you don't like it, go to a Windows site.

 

[djellison]

For that fact, neither does "If you can't beat 'em, rip 'em off".

That's how Apple works.

 

[emulator]

Like this doesn't ever happen in the retail industry? Come on, Target>Wal-Mart>Best Buy etc etc etc.... This happens all the time. No different. I don't see why this should be page one news either. Nothing new here really.

exactly. this topic is most likely for we can count the idiots posting "OMG, MS rips off Apple again".

Actually MS are copying/following the industry standards here.

Widgets - Gadgets

you know that widgets were stolen from konfabulator, right?

 

[ortuno2k]

Wow, this is plain low! Incredibly low...
Can't MS have a brain of their own anymore?

 

[alabanco]

Apple's response could be just as easy as 123. All they need is to call anti-monopoly committee and provide facts of the Microsoft's blackmail or smth. That's it.

 

[BongoBanger]

Some of you guys on here are so mis informed. You describe a Microsoft that hasn't existed for at least a decade. Ever actually TRIED windows 7? Have even tried Vista? I've never gotten a virus. EVER. I don't have an anti virus.

People find it difficult to challenge their preconceptions.

This move by MS is no different to any recruiting drive. Why would you train people up form scratch when there are people with the skills available already?

 

[throttlemeister]

OMG, Microsoft 'stealing' employees from Apple! BOO-HOO!

Welcome to the real world, where companies try to get each others good employees each and every day.

 

[GSV]

These Microsoft stores are going to have huge payroll costs. Apple Stores already pay their sales people really good for retail, and I imagine the managers' compensation is above the market average as well, and MS is going to pay them even more? However, I doubt they're going to need many employees, at least nowhere near an Apple Store with 5+ managers and 50 specialist on call.

At least being an Apple store manager you have job security. Who knows how long Microsoft will stick with this retail experiment?

 

[MorphingDragon]

Monkey (Ballmer) see, monkey (Ballmer) do.

Seriously, the Apple Store clones are bad enough, but Microsoft can't even scrape up enough originality to come up with their own retail employees. It would be hilarious if it weren't so sad.

What a bunch of posers.

Microsoft in a nut shell.