“Two years after it took the ax to a range of employee benefits, Microsoft is introducing new perks for its staff. The plan, known as MyMicrosoft, was unveiled to the Redmond, Wash., masses this week,” Jo Best reports for CNET News. “It also revealed that ‘the towels are back,’ referring to the popular towel-laundering service for sweaty staff washing at work after exercising or cycling in to campus, a perk that was axed in the benefits cull in 2004. Those cutbacks followed a call by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for the software giant to make $1 billion worth of cuts. At the time, he warned that even Microsoft’s free soda policy was under review… Now, after a series of high-profile defections, including that of Kai-Fu Lee, who founded Microsoft’s Chinese Labs, to Google, Microsoft is reversing its earlier stance.”
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Sketchtrain” for the heads up.]
MacDailyNews Take: That’ll fix everything. We know why they’re really sweating in Redmond now, don’t we? Seriously, forget the towels, they’re all going to need new underpants soon.
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Microsoft suffers from malaise, key defections, Windows Vista struggles, lack of towels – September 16, 2005
So where’s “Tom Cruise” telling us we don’t know the history of towels?
Methinks this is more than just towels — it’s to keep more of the rats from jumping the sinking ship…
adding benefits means a company is doing well… i don’t get it. anyway, GO APPLE!! I can’t wait to check out the 5th avenue store.
PS I hope MDN doesn’t delete this becaue it is off topic…. they said they would earlier today.
I hear the free office chair replacement service is being re-established.
So that’s what’s been wrong with Redmond… they haven’t known where their towels were.
Oprah – “Your a towel!”
Towelie – “no your a towel”
– SouthPark, season 10, episode 5
How does this have anything to do with Mac. Isn’t this Mac Daily News. I don’t get it. You guys are idiots all of you
I’m surprised MDN didn’t use that pic of a sweat-soaked Uncle Fester.
If it’s an order from Microsoft, them towels will come with holes to make ’em quick-drying.
MW: hang the cost.
apple´s don´t crash???
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2946
the review MDN will never link to.
How does this have anything to do with Mac
—
It’s freakin hilarious. Get a sense of humor.
And, oh yeah, Microsoft is actually the company that makes Windows.. which… sort of.. competes with OS X.
Towels? please.
What we need here at Microsoft is cowbell, more cowbell, lots and lots of cowbell.
Tom Cruise. You don’t know the history of snacks, I do. Belch.
national
MyMicrosoft? Can’t they come up with ONE original idea? I’m half surprised they didn’t call it iMicrosoft.
Such a chuckle to laugh at a company that, as a competitor continues to completely dominate you in terms of marketshare, profits, and revenues, and uses a 5 year old operating system to do it.
Makes sense that your focus would be on towels.
Artisticulated…bravo!
Tom Strong,
It takes more than towels, popcorn, and nachos to make good software.
Ballmer HAS to go. Textbook bad management is thinking you can cut billions in overhead by literally saving pennies, and then thinking you can restore employee morale by giving those pennies back. Bill Ford could run MS better.
But then again, let’s keep Ballmer at the top of MS, and give him total of everything.
Apple couldn’t ask for someone better.
er total of = total control of.
“How does this have anything to do with Mac. Isn’t this Mac Daily News. I don’t get it. You guys are idiots all of you”
And yet you read the story and took the time to comment on it.
Just move on.
Makes sense that your focus would be on towels.
It’s called grasping at straws. Ballmer has no clue what he’s doing.
I wouldn’t be surprised if MyMicrosoft involves new-style stationery and trendy office carpet colors. Thing’s that’ll really give them an edge over Apple…
ed:
“I know size can be daunting, but don’t be afraid… I love you!”
http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/happyfeet/trailer1/
MDN: Microsoft Daily News…
Bring back the Mac!
Static said:
Oprah – “Your a towel!”
Towelie – “no your a towel”
– SouthPark, season 10, episode 5
Don’t misquote the show Static. The word is “YOU’RE” not “your”.
Also, quote Cartman, not Oprah:
“Cartman:I can preach to you all I want ’cause you’re stupid!
Towelie:You’re stupid!
Cartman: You’re a towel!
Towelie:You’re a towel!”
Thanks MDN,
I love that picture.
“Their benefits are still way better than Apple’s, so I would not laugh, monkey boys.
I work at Apple’s Austin offices and benefits from Apple include occasional free popcorn and nachos. Whoopie!!!!!!”
Apple’s stock options are doing better than Microsoft’s though.
The cut the towels because they were all flicking each other in the hallways.