5 Years at Microsoft

On Jan 16th 2011 I celebrated 5 years at Microsoft. Even today can’t believe it has been 5 years. Still remember my interview process, “The Call”, followed by my move to Seattle and that drive from airport to corporate housing in rainy weather (surprise, surprise) using Google Maps, yes I admit it. Also remember first day of new employee orientation and first day with my search team. 5 years later, after moving from Seattle to New York to Dallas it still feels like 5 years just flew by and still feel new with rapid changes in technology and Microsoft’s ability to still stay relevant in the era of iEverything.

In this 5 years, i have experience first hand some historic launches, news, and lessons learned.  Have seen Microsoft purchasing a big agency for tons of money, launching Vista, Windows 7, office 2010, reading an email from Ballmer about an attempt to purhase Yahoo, launch of Windows Phone 7, Kinect, first ever companywide layoffs, new name of Windows Live Search to Bing, transitioning Search service to Yahoo, can’t forget the launch of Kin, Bill Gates stepping down to do more meaningful things and how can I forget about a time Ballmer gave me high five at MGX. What a journey it has been, with all the ups and downs. Worst day without a doubt was layoffs day, when people I knew were being called into Manager’s office and see them leaving the company right after the meeting, just a horrible day. Hopefully don’t have to go through that again.  There were lot of best days/proud Microsoftie days.  One of them was, being inside NASDAQ for closing bell ceremony when Windows 7 was launched, another one was playing with Kinect before anyone could, what an amazing piece of technology that is and of course news of Bing gaining marketshare one point at a time 🙂

5 Years came and gone.  Without a doubt company has spoilled me.   If i were to find a new job where i am required to dress up everyday not sure if i would last that long.  Have been blessed to work with some of the smartest people in the industry and flexible managment.  Despite the size of the company, it is amazing to see people’s passion, honesty and professionalism.  Of course there some negatives as well probably because of the size of the company.  Stock price for one hasn’t moved much 🙂

Overall, it has been great 5 years with tons of unforgettable experiences.  I still feel like i just joined the company.  Let’s see what’s next…

Post was partially written on WordPress for Windows Phone 7

What’s In A Name?

Hello. My name is Tejas.  It is an Indian name.  I understand that it may be difficult for you to pronounce this 5 letter name. I know you want to call me, Tey-haas.  Go ahead and address me by that name and i will make sure to correct you. And no, you can not call me TJ, T or Tej.  I will help you learn my name, just like how i learned your name: Peter, Meredith, Jacob and Kristy.

Why do i make sure you know my name and pronounce it correctly?  Here is why.  When i was younger, around 14, my uncle told me a story about his name. When he moved to States, no one could pronounce his name, Pravin.  One of his co-worker asked him, if he can call him Peter instead of Pravin, to make it easier on him.  Uncle replied, yeah sure.  You can call me Peter and i will call you Bob. His coworker replied, my name is not Bob, it is David.  Uncle said, exactly. If i can learn to say your name, may be you can learn to say my name too.

So there you go.  This country is full of people from all around the globe, it is a melting pot.  In this day and age, everyone should be accustomed to people from other parts of the world, whose name may sound “unusual” or “weird”.   But that is the beauty of it.  Name is one’s identity, it defines you, your culture, values, individuality… Or may be it doesn’t.

Here is my problem:  I see lot of desi folks with names like, Tracy Shah or Crystal Patel.  Now i know those are gujju last names. I am pretty sure, your parents didn’t give you those American names. I am also aware that you are just trying to make it easier for others to pronounce your name and not make a big deal out of it. I have done it. I have allowed others to call me TJ to not draw attention to myself.  Not anymore though.  If you have an Indian name, embrace it. It is your name for crying out loud.  Indian names are full of colors and history.  If you are so ashamed/afraid to correct someone, may be you should just call yourself Mary Johnson or Michael Washington.  That isn’t too hard to pronounce is it?  You surely will get weird look, but at least no one will ask you to spell it out for them.  Sure, take an easy way out.

I’m actually glad, my name is not Peter or Bob or James.  How boring would that be? My name alone has started number of interesting conversations and how “Tay-haas” in Spanish means Texas and how funny it is that i actually live in Texas.  If my name was Peter, i’m pretty sure that conversation would not have happened, how dull.

On the flip side, if my first name consisted of 15 letters alone, i don’t expect anyone to pronounce it correctly.  But it is only 5 letters.  It can’t be that difficult, can it?  If nothing else, you will call me “Tay-hass” and i will correct you and before you know it, we will be discussing our family histories.

Is there something in your name?  What does it represent?