7gen Bloc

Anyone who's read this blog for a while knows that I'm no fan of Microsoft. I've owned a Mac my entire life. My one, brief experiment with a PC ended when I returned a wonderful little Sony Vaio because the software drove me out of my mind.

Nevertheless, when it came time to choose software for our ERP system, our IT department selected a Microsoft product. I was not about to stand in the way. But when a team from Microsoft headquarters showed up in our office wanting to discuss sustainability and corporate responsibility, well, that kind of blew my mind. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that the team was both serious and knowledgeable. This, after all, was Microsoft. Next, I received an email asking for comments on a draft of Microsoft's sustainability strategy. While I had much to say, I was again impressed. When they asked if I would consider joining an advisory board, how could I decline? My MO is to influence the most influential businesses, and if Microsoft is willing to hear what I have to say, let the conversation begin.

Then I get an email about an event in Florida:

          Seventh Generation Takes Convergence By Storm.

          Ten thousand people from over 65 countries gathered
          in Orlando for Microsoft Convergence 2008, Microsoft's
          award-winning annual conference for Dynamics customers.

          Winners of Microsoft's Pinnacle Award for Environmental
          Sustainability, SCS customer Seventh Generation was the most
          featured customer at Convergence. From the award luncheon
          where they spoke at length with Steve Ballmer to video interviews,
          from co-presenting at one of the sessions to having samples of
          their product handed out to each of the 10,000 attendees,
          Seventh Generation took Convergence by storm!

OK, that sounds good. We are influencing the influencer.