Microsoft’s ‘Switch’ rip-off (and more) makes ‘101 Dumbest Moments in Business’ list

Business 2.0 catalogues “The 101 Dumbest Moments in Business” in their April 2002 issue. The article features Enron, Martha Stewart, and our old favorite, Microsoft, which racks up a record six of the 101 spots:

Number 11: Microsoft: “swiping your competitor’s idea and completely screwing it up. In an attempt to blunt Apple’s “Switch” campaign, Microsoft posts a page on its website, titled “Confessions of a Mac to PC Convert,” featuring a woman touting the Windows XP operating system. It’s soon revealed, however, that the woman pictured is a model and the touting comes from a freelance writer paid by Gates & Co.”

Number 41: Microsft: “To promote its MSN 8 online service, Microsoft places hundreds of butterfly-logo decals on traffic signals and sidewalks throughout Manhattan. After the city threatens to fine Microsoft $50 per decal, the company apologizes and removes the stickers.”

Numbers 48-51: Microsoft:

7 Comments

  1. I love the .net quotes. I still haven’t been able to find anyone who can actually tell me what .net is, including my XML professor who was one of the people in charge of implementing .net at Intel. <sarcasm>Surprisingly, she quit over it.</sarcasm>

  2. How about number 9? It’s not Microsoft, the company, it’s Microsoft, the dancing monkey-boy! (Steve Ballmer and his really scary screaming dance in front of a group of developers.)

Reader Feedback

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.