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Come See the Softer Side of Microsoft

Company tries more cooperative approach to lure Yahoo execs

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 2, 2008 8:18 AM CST
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(Newser) – Yahoo executives, take note: Microsoft is trying to shed its bully reputation in Silicon Valley in favor of a kinder, gentler, hands-off approach to the smaller start-ups it acquires, the San Jose Mercury News says. Company officials want it known that this isn’t your older brother’s Microsoft—the one that suffocated Netscape, intimidated venture capitalists, and allegedly swiped competitors’ ideas.

“The view here was that they came along, called a party, and broke people’s rice bowls,” said one start-up founder. But a Microsoft exec explained, “Our model now is to approach other companies and ask, ‘How can we help?’” Start-up comparisons to Yahoo aren’t exactly apt, AP notes, because of Yahoo’s size and key role in thwarting Google.

This combination of two file photos shows Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, left, and Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang. Yahoo Inc. on Monday, Feb. 11, 2008 spurned Microsoft Corp.'s $44.6 billion takeover bid as inadequate, betting that it can elicit a higher offer from the world's largest software maker or...
This combination of two file photos shows Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, left, and Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang. Yahoo Inc. on Monday, Feb. 11, 2008 spurned Microsoft Corp.'s $44.6 billion takeover bid as inadequate,...   (Associated Press)
True or not, Microsoft has a reputation in Silicon Valley for bullying. But the company is highlighting its new softer approach to calm the frazzled nerves of Yahoo employees who fear what will happen if Microsoft's $40 billion-plus offer for their company succeeds, the San Jose Mercury News says. Microsoft's...
True or not, Microsoft has a reputation in Silicon Valley for bullying. But the company is highlighting its new softer approach to calm the frazzled nerves of Yahoo employees who fear what will happen...   (Associated Press)
True or not, Microsoft has a reputation in Silicon Valley for bullying start-ups, bossing around venture capitalists and crushing competitors. But the company is highlighting its new softer approach to calm the frazzled nerves of Yahoo employees who fear what will happen if Microsoft's $40 billion-plus offer for their company...
True or not, Microsoft has a reputation in Silicon Valley for bullying start-ups, bossing around venture capitalists and crushing competitors. But the company is highlighting its new softer approach to...   (Associated Press)
True or not, Microsoft has a reputation in Silicon Valley for bullying start-ups, bossing around venture capitalists and crushing competitors. But the company is highlighting its new softer approach to calm the frazzled nerves of Yahoo employees who fear what will happen if Microsoft's $40 billion-plus offer for their company...
True or not, Microsoft has a reputation in Silicon Valley for bullying start-ups, bossing around venture capitalists and crushing competitors. But the company is highlighting its new softer approach to...   (Associated Press)
Tellme general manager and founder Mike McCue smiles during an interview at company headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008. McCue spent eight years building Tellme, a voice-automation service that he never expected to sell, especially to Microsoft, which antagonized and eventually annihilated his previous employer, Netscape Communications....
Tellme general manager and founder Mike McCue smiles during an interview at company headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008. McCue spent eight years building Tellme, a voice-automation...   (Associated Press)
Tellme general manager and founder Mike McCue sits in a sound booth at company headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008. McCue spent eight years building Tellme, a voice-automation service that he never expected to sell, especially to Microsoft, which antagonized and eventually annihilated his previous employer, Netscape...
Tellme general manager and founder Mike McCue sits in a sound booth at company headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008. McCue spent eight years building Tellme, a voice-automation...   (Associated Press)
If Microsoft's bid to acquire Yahoo eventually gets completed, as most analysts anticipate, combining Microsoft's online services with Yahoo's sprawling Internet franchise is expected to be a complicated and painful process that will probably involve significant layoffs, AP says. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
If Microsoft's bid to acquire Yahoo eventually gets completed, as most analysts anticipate, combining Microsoft's online services with Yahoo's sprawling Internet franchise is expected to be a complicated...   (Associated Press)
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Yahoo • Microsoft • Silicon Valley • Tellme • Mountain View • Netscape • WebTV Networks • Redmond • Go Corp. • Jerry Kaplan

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