We took the liberty of rewriting Microsoft’s dystopian vision of remote work ads. See more at #WorkCanWait and contribute your own revisions.
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We took the liberty of rewriting Microsoft’s dystopian vision of remote work ads. See more at #WorkCanWait and contribute your own revisions.
Anonymous Coward
on 18 Nov 13I’m not an Office 365 users but I think you guys are being a bit literal in your interpretation of this Microsoft advert. My understanding is that their Office 365 is a SaaS/Cloud offering that allows you to work remotely. Isn’t that what your own products have allowed users to accomplish from day one? Don’t you offer a mobile app as well so someone can check in on a project during a break in their kids basketball game? Or maybe before you go to bed?
I remember the world not too long ago that if I needed to check my work email or access resources on the company LAN, a drive into the office was required. Now this doesn’t happen as often. I recently had to meet the lawn guy at the house in order to have my irrigation system winterized. This is a project that my only involvement consists of opening the garage door and writing a check when the job is completed. Unfortunately, I also had to be available during a 3-hour window. I had meetings that I needed to be a part of back at the office and with current technology I was able to call into these meetings and share my desktop. No one even suspected that I wasn’t sitting at my desk at work.
Maybe the wording in the Microsoft ad is clumsy and they didn’t have a clear voice in mind when writing the copy but the reality is that sometimes we have to be available after-hours and I would much rather take 15 minutes out of a family movie night than have to hop in the car and drive into the office in order to accomplish the same task.
Romain
on 18 Nov 13Very well done!
I was reading your previous post and comments, especially regarding the kid’s game, and felt somewhat sad some people think that it is just great to be able to work during their kids’ games. Your re-written version is spot on.
Red Feet
on 18 Nov 13I finally grasp the pun in your pay off line: “Remote, OFFICE not required” ;-)
David Seruyange
on 19 Nov 13The ‘slam Microsoft’ marketing strategy continues. You should read Scott Hanselman’s post if you want to engage the subject:
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/WorkingRemotelyConsideredDystopian.aspx
But if this is mainly to promote the new book, I guess seeking the truth is beside the point.
George
on 19 Nov 13Great article, hilarious images. I think Microsoft have left themselves wide-open on this one.
Mark
on 24 Nov 13I think guys you should be on same side with this. MS promotes REMOTE work just like you guys.
But campaign shows how REMOTE work can be abused by employer.
They are at least honest.
This discussion is closed.