GeekWire
Innovation at Microsoft: Success, struggles, and lessons learned
Feb 18, 2025
Dean Carignan, co-author of "The Insider's Guide to Innovation at Microsoft," shares invaluable insights from his work on AI in the company’s chief scientist office. He discusses the transformational journey of Xbox following its rocky launch and the importance of the BXT framework, which balances business, user experience, and technology. Carignan also highlights vital lessons learned from Microsoft's history, including the need for adaptability and the role of community in innovation, showcasing how setbacks paved the way for future successes.
45:20
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Quick takeaways
- The Xbox One's initial backlash highlighted the necessity of aligning business strategies with customer expectations to drive innovation.
- Bing's innovative approach under budget constraints showcased how limitations can inspire creative problem-solving and significant advancements in technology.
Deep dives
The Journey of Xbox: From Misstep to Success
The Xbox One launch faced severe backlash, particularly regarding its high pricing and the controversial practice of requiring an always-on internet connection. Phil Spencer's initial announcement generated shock rather than excitement, highlighting a disconnect between Microsoft's vision and the gaming community’s expectations. However, over the following two years, the Xbox team took significant steps to course-correct, ultimately introducing features like backward compatibility, which were heavily requested by players. This transformation exemplified the importance of aligning business, experience, and technology, a framework known as BXT, which the team learned to balance effectively.
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