Microsoft Retail Stores Will Require Heavy Lifting
|
Working for Microsoft's new retail stores will apparently be a backbreaking endeavor, at least for any applicants who haven't seen the inside of a gym since the Bush administration. According to Microsoft's newest job posting, Retail Customer Service Associates can expect their daily duties to include "lifting/carrying 75 pounds." The Retail Trainers can expect to tote 50-pound loads in the course of a day. I guess the new Zune HD will be a lot heavier than anyone expected. All kidding aside, that required lifting ability seems a little extreme, especially when you consider that, for the majority of retail-working tech wizards and gizmo-heads I know, "exercise" means "repeated reps with a can of Red Bull in one hand and the Xbox 360 controller in the other." None of them will be a contestant in the Ultimate Fighting Championship anytime soon. Microsoft is currently hiring staff for its first two retail stores, located in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Mission Viejo, Calif., due to open at some as-yet-undisclosed point this fall. Previously, Microsoft spokesperson Kim Stocks referred to both locations as "hot markets," and Redmond has made it clear that it intends to take Apple head-on in the retail sector. Last week, I asked people at Microsoft about other potential store locations; in particular, I was interested in seeing whether the company would attempt to challenge Apple's massive flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York, which racks up an estimated $350 million in annual sales. Microsoft, of course, declined to cough up any tidbits of strategy. "As we progress on our retail strategy, there will be scenarios where we have stores in proximity to Apple," a spokesperson informed me. "We are on track to open stores in the fall timeframe." But the job descriptions sound like Microsoft is definitely taking a page from Apple and other companies that have expanded into the retail space. Retail Trainers will be required to "present small and large group training sessions to both internal and external customers," while Retail Technical Advisors will need to "provide customized solutions to 'new' purchasers that meet their needs and exceed their expectations." Based on these descriptions, it seems to me that many of Microsoft's early concepts for the store will find physical life, particularly their answer to Apple's "Genius Bar." As with Windows Mobile, though, Microsoft finds itself playing catch-up with long-established competitors in the space. Redmond's track record in making up lost ground is decidedly mixed; it won big-time with the Xbox and Xbox 360 against the then-dominant PlayStation franchise, but its answer to the iPod, the Zune, has failed to catch on. Windows 7 looks like it has the potential to solidify Microsoft's operating-system market share against Apple and open-source alternatives, but that's also largely dependent on how thoroughly cash-strapped consumers and the enterprise will embrace an OS and tech refresh. Microsoft seems to be making sure that the next six months represent a crucial reflection point in the company's lifespan. Whether it succeeds across its divisions is an open question, but its executives seem publicly willing to try to hoist that weight. |
Comments (6)
I think you mean Xbox 360, not 260.
It is also fairly standard practice for any retail employer that sells anything hardware wise to post a requirement of lifting of 50-75 lbs.
Unloading deliveries if necessary, and helping people to their car if necessary makes it a legitimate requirement. If they don't post it as a requirement, it becomes a major issue down the road.
Posted by Kelly | August 24, 2009 1:46 PM
I should really post here more often (like in the days of Joe) there are some interesting topics.
-
The Microsoft store......hmmmm. My opinion of this store is that its going to be more than what most people expect...sure they can sell their software and 360 (or I suppose 260 if yours happened to be one of the many with the red rings of death) however whats the killer product for the shop? Zune? lol. Just like how the MS faithful like to claim Linux has an impossible task of toppling Windows on the desktop, I'd say Zune has the same chance of toppling Ipod on the basis of peoples love for it (ipod) and many people (IMO) not even knowing what a Zune is..(unless they had a party at new year that depended on it, then I don't think they will forget) ;)
-
The Microsoft store in my opinion will be used to push "pay per play" computing, Ive seen a patent covering that, I've read opinion and articles on an idea where you get a cheap/free desktop which will allow you to connect to "the/a cloud" and charge you on a basis of usage. The Microsoft store could be used to pimp this "scheme" in very much the same way a mobile phone shop sells contracts. Could anything be more desirable for Microsoft? The constant revenue stream of PPV computing with the added bonus of proper lockin....
-
Just an idea but I can't really see a use for it otherwise. Is Microsoft really saying it needs a presence in the high street? Is Microsoft saying its products don't get enough coverage? or maybe Microsoft is actually worried about the competition and wants to better "fight back"? Certainly if MS products were as great and popular as the MS faithful want you to believe then is there really a point to having a shop? all seems a bit pointless if the MS faithful are telling the truth..!?!?!
-
Apple, rightly or wrongly has an "image" its an image that people want to spend money on, thats why people (IMO) want an Ipod and not a Zune strapped to their waist. Does Microsoft think people will flock to their stores? I shouldn't think so.
-
In answer to the lifting remark, maybe that requirement is there incase Ballmer visits the store....those wheelie office chairs can be quite heavy and who knows how far Ballmer can throw one? ;)
Posted by Goblin | August 24, 2009 5:09 PM
Kelly, the lifting requirement is because of the heavy price one has to pay when paying or using Microsoft products.
Posted by Mat | August 24, 2009 5:16 PM
Wow, this blog is back?
As far as the 50 - 75 lb loads go, anyone heard of a handtruck?
Not convinced the MS retail store strategy is here for the long term.
Posted by J | August 25, 2009 1:09 PM
The "Heavy Lifting" will be trying to make these two stores profitable. By the way, Ballmer is correct that two stores will lose less money than the 12 stores he promised before. The math is sound, X/6 loses only 1/6 of X, where X=12 stores. Sweaty B is on the Ball here, and shows no confidence in his M$ Store ideal.
Still, the best thing M$ can do with these stores is to use them for a return and pickup point for overheating XBox360's. It will save them huge packaging and shipping charges, since the majority of XBox360's will fail and have to be returned.
Posted by Chips B Malroy | August 25, 2009 3:15 PM
Hi,
They are doing hard to get in touch of Apple's stores.The main matter is about the availability of the products on the stores.I hope they come with enough functionality on the retail stores to give to customers.
Posted by scart kabel | September 23, 2009 8:59 AM