I'm fortunate enough to work in the grey realm, a “tweener”, so to speak. It is a place where I can be very technical and yet maintain a business focus. I have the greatest job at Microsoft. Well, maybe the third greatest:
- First, there's Bill: visionary, chief software architect and in many ways, the face of the company.
- Then, there's Steve: full-time cheerleader and part-time furniture mover.
My job takes me across many platforms and products in the search to find the necessary functionality to meet business needs. I cannot stress this enough. I work with MS and non-MS technologies and services in this goal.
As a result, the information I seek and disseminate, the solutions I contribute to, design and drive have to work in the real world, now, or in the very short term. Hence, my pragmatic approach to evangelism.
Comments, suggestions, flames? Write me at opsan@opsan.com, or call me at 206/423-6848.
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Bio and Head Shots:
Michael Coates is the Microsoft Pragmatic Evangelist, shamelessly claiming to have the third best job at Microsoft (behind Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer). Michael focuses on business advantages to be gained through technology, working with high-potential startups worldwide on the Microsoft Strategic Emerging Business Team. Prior to SEBT, Michael worked with the top web sites in the world to create business value through improved user experience and streamlined work processes.
Michael can be reached at michael.coates@microsoft.com and through his blog at http://blog.opsan.com/.
