Learning with the Fang

Bugger.

Local legend Frank Arrigo is heading to the land of stars and stripes - their gain, our loss!

Having watched Frank drop some not too subtle hints in twitter, the pessimist in me suspected that this unique leader (who masterfully shepherds his team in real conversations with real customers) was not long for these shores. Reading between the lines of his post last night, a pessimist might think that a local (mis) management course made Frank feel guilty because his talents were being ‘wasted’ by staying in a ‘comfortable place’ where he dared to connect directly with real people. Rather than being flexible enough to allow Frank’s obvious talents to grow here in OZ, the corporate HR machine has squeezed yet another local talent to an ‘internal focused role which acts as the business operation team for (some meaningless corporate acronym).

But I know Frank better than that. The optimist (and MSFT stock holder) in me hopes Microsoft will do better than that. Maybe, just maybe, Frank will infect the internally focussed team and trigger a little cluetrain inspired revival. Maybe he will lead this ‘Field Strategy Group’ in such a way that will separate many a head from arse, and as a result many real conversations with developers will begin to win hearts and minds.

Whatever happens, I wish Frank and his family all the very best. I will be watching out, tuning in and helping out here and there. I hope all Frank’s subscribers do the same.

p.s. Frank - keep an eye out for my pal Andy Delin when he arrives in Seattle early next year.

p.s.s. Just noticed frank stars in most recent gday world podcast, downloading now in search for more clues.

Fang - Mike Seyfang

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