Microsoft hires Apple Store staff; potential employee walk-out
Software giant Microsoft is apparently also looking to lure away retail employees from Apple's own stores; and employees at a Washington Apple Store have planned a walk-out.
Microsoft courting Apple Store managers, staff
Citing anonymous sources, Jim Dalrymple at The Loop has reported that Microsoft has contacted "a number of Apple's retail store managers" in an attempt to hire them away. The employees have been promised "significant raises," and some were even offered moving expenses. The strategy also allegedly has a recruitment element to it.
"Once hired, the ex-Apple employees are then contacting some of the top sales people in the Apple retail organization offering them positions at Microsoft retail," Dalrymple wrote. "They have also been offered more money than what they made at Apple."
As Microsoft prepares to enter the retail market, it has taken a number of cues from Apple's successful brick-and-mortar stores. In fact, the Redmond, Wash., company even hired real estate expert George Blankenship, one of the cornerstones of Apple's early retail efforts, to consult on its first retail stores.
Apple's rival to the north will also mimic the Genius Bar with its own "Guru Bars," where customers would be allowed to make appointments and ask questions.
Microsoft intends to go head-to-head with Apple in the retail space. Some stores will even be purposefully located within proximity. The first face-off will take place in Mission Viejo, Calif., at The Shops.
Washington Apple Store walk-out planned by employees
Employees at the Apple Store in the Alderwood mall in Lynnwood, Wash., are apparently so upset with management that they intend to walk out in protest at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. According to someone familiar with the matter who contacted AppleInsider, it will include Mac Specialists, Geniuses and Creatives, as well as former employees of the location.
The info was also provided to ifoAppleStore, where it was noted that such an event would be the first known at an Apple Store.
On employee said that the store's "abusive" management has potentially violated the law, and alleged that Apple human resources did not conduct a complete investigation of the matter. The person said that employees talked with the corporation, including Ron Johnson, senior vice president of retail, but to no avail.
Microsoft courting Apple Store managers, staff
Citing anonymous sources, Jim Dalrymple at The Loop has reported that Microsoft has contacted "a number of Apple's retail store managers" in an attempt to hire them away. The employees have been promised "significant raises," and some were even offered moving expenses. The strategy also allegedly has a recruitment element to it.
"Once hired, the ex-Apple employees are then contacting some of the top sales people in the Apple retail organization offering them positions at Microsoft retail," Dalrymple wrote. "They have also been offered more money than what they made at Apple."
As Microsoft prepares to enter the retail market, it has taken a number of cues from Apple's successful brick-and-mortar stores. In fact, the Redmond, Wash., company even hired real estate expert George Blankenship, one of the cornerstones of Apple's early retail efforts, to consult on its first retail stores.
Apple's rival to the north will also mimic the Genius Bar with its own "Guru Bars," where customers would be allowed to make appointments and ask questions.
Microsoft intends to go head-to-head with Apple in the retail space. Some stores will even be purposefully located within proximity. The first face-off will take place in Mission Viejo, Calif., at The Shops.
Washington Apple Store walk-out planned by employees
Employees at the Apple Store in the Alderwood mall in Lynnwood, Wash., are apparently so upset with management that they intend to walk out in protest at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. According to someone familiar with the matter who contacted AppleInsider, it will include Mac Specialists, Geniuses and Creatives, as well as former employees of the location.
The info was also provided to ifoAppleStore, where it was noted that such an event would be the first known at an Apple Store.
On employee said that the store's "abusive" management has potentially violated the law, and alleged that Apple human resources did not conduct a complete investigation of the matter. The person said that employees talked with the corporation, including Ron Johnson, senior vice president of retail, but to no avail.
Comments
And oh yes, Apple, if you have been or are treating folks like dirt ? stop it and be big boys and do what's right.
Skip
PS Or is this just folks who don't like taking in all this money, and not getting more of it for themselves???
sorry couldn't resist.
And oh yes, Apple, if you have been or are treating folks like dirt ? stop it and be big boys and do what's right.
I thought the employee was referring to the management of that store rather than the management of Apple, but I might be mistaken.
Washington Apple Store walk-out planned by employees
Employees at the Apple Store in the Alderwood mall in Lynwood, Wash., are apparently so upset with management that they intend to walk out in protest at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. According to someone familiar with the matter who contacted AppleInsider, it will include Mac Specialists, Geniuses and Creatives, as well as former employees of the location.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
That's Lynnwood, not Lynwood. I visit this store a couple of times a month, and it is always crowded. I'm very interested to see what happens with this. I'll be there on the 3rd to talk with the employees and see what happens.
I thought the employee was referring to the management of that store rather than the management of Apple, but I might be mistaken.
Yes, but it also sounded like the matter was looked into by Apple's human resource department and they didn't do anything. However, we don't know anything about this. HR actions can take time to investigate and act on, if necessary. If the entire staff is walking about, there's probably something to the complaints. But this could also just be one employee leaking this news and perhaps he/she is the only one unhappy with the situation. Planning a walkout for two weeks from now seems a bit odd. Why wait?
http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Emp...le-RVW2892.htm
Planning a walkout for two weeks from now seems a bit odd. Why wait?
Because you don't actually want to do a walkout but you need to do something to get upper management's attention.
If I had to guess, I'd say the manager there is out of line in some way but very good at laying down a snow job on the HR people who looked into it. Employees aren't going to threaten a walkout unless there's a major problem, so something is seriously wrong at this particular store. Unless, of course, they all got hired by Microsoft who put them up to the walkout thing.
Overall satisfaction seems pretty strong and our favorite fruit store...
http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Emp...le-RVW2892.htm
AT our favorite fruit store... sheesh... I've become too dependent on the iPhone's auto correct.
So, Microsoft is going to hire a bunch of people who are really knowledgeable about Mac and OS X and have them answer questions about Windows. Sounds like a winning plan.
"Yeaaaaa, this is greatestiest day evaaaaa. I announce Windows X: Snow Skylight, greatest version of Windows evaaaaa! It will come 1 edition only and will work right out of the box and include great software for video, music and photos."
What about Windows 7?
"Forget that $}{|t"
Thanks Steve.
If I had to guess, I'd say the manager there is out of line in some way but very good at laying down a snow job on the HR people who looked into it. Employees aren't going to threaten a walkout unless there's a major problem, so something is seriously wrong at this particular store. Unless, of course, they all got hired by Microsoft who put them up to the walkout thing.
They've got iPhone 3GSs and new Nanos so I find it unusual that no one has manage to capture this manager's behavior (if that's in fact what's happening there) on video yet
I find this whole MS store an odd curiosity. MS itself doesn't make PC's. They sell software, and the Zune. That's it. Apple on the other hand, is more hardware centric, with a smattering of software thrown in. The two don't directly compete, except on the OS front, which happens to be tied to Apple's hardware. It will be interesting to see how these stores fare.
As to the Apple Store walkout, I would be very curious to see what the issue was at this store. I tried a few of the links but the content was removed at the posters request for some reason.
PS Or is this just folks who don't like taking in all this money, and not getting more of it for themselves???
Or, maybe it is the lack of work hours to make what they are paid worth their time to even show up for work?
Or, maybe Apple should get away from these dumb ass terms like "Apple Specialist"! Call them the sales clerks and cashiers they really are. If someone is a "Specialist" you'd think they'd be paid more, like how doctors don't become general practitioners, but rather pick an area in the medical field and become a "Specialist" because that is where the money is!
And of course no one here would scream bloody murder if their compensation package was reviewed and found to be too sufficient and therefore, a cut in pay and benefits is warranted! Surely that person would never equate their service to the company and the money they made for the company as a legit excuse to warrant more compensation.
They've got iPhone 3GSs and new Nanos so I find it unusual that no one has manage to capture this manager's behavior (if that's in fact what's happening there) on video yet
Probably too smart for that. I mean we're not talking ACORN here!
Sleazy yes, but a valid business tactic. They are trying to figure out what makes the Apple Store tick and to gain some Apple talent. Unfortunately, I see this as trying to plug an A/C device into a D/C power source. They come from two different cultures. The shock may kill them
I find this whole MS store an odd curiosity. MS itself doesn't make PC's. They sell software, and the Zune. That's it. Apple on the other hand, is more hardware centric, with a smattering of software thrown in. The two don't directly compete, except on the OS front, which happens to be tied to Apple's hardware. It will be interesting to see how these stores fare.
As to the Apple Store walkout, I would be very curious to see what the issue was at this store. I tried a few of the links but the content was removed at the posters request for some reason.
Microsoft can sell all the PC available, HP DELL ACER etc.. Also they got a beautiful worm to attracted people to come in the strore with the surface table.
But it's really annoying that Microsoft could'nt invent something by themselve. They alway's copy