Wow, Vic Gundotra leaves Microsoft for Google

June 28, 2006 By

Interesting, Vic Gundotra leaves Microsoft, Business 2.0 says, to take a year off and then head to Google.

Vic is the guy who hired me into Microsoft and is one of the people who made me believe. I will never forget his pitch to me to join Microsoft: “this might be good for your career.”

Thanks Vic for everything and good luck in your future career.

+++++

Brain drain at Microsoft?

Is there a brain drain going on at Microsoft? It sure looks that way but keep in mind that Vic and I didn’t write code. We didn’t make the products.

Those of us who — whether deserved or not — become public faces of companies can wildly change the perceptions of those companies.

There are 60,000+ people working at Microsoft. Not two or three. Or even 15.

What’s ironic is I met quite a few employees at Microsoft who used to work at Google. No one talks about them.

On the other hand, this is a win for Google and a loss for Microsoft. They got a good guy.

By the way, I tried to call Vic for several hours tonight to get his comment and he didn’t return my calls. I didn’t know either Vic was going to leave before today, either, although when we talked recently about my own career I could tell he was considering life changes as well.

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  • Daniel

    “Tejas, do tell me who represents Google in the blogosphere, especially someone who’s leaving would make them look bad?”

    Mark Jen. Do a search on Google, Kingsley (or do you use MSN, as a matter of principle ;) )

  • Daniel

    “Tejas, do tell me who represents Google in the blogosphere, especially someone who’s leaving would make them look bad?”

    Mark Jen. Do a search on Google, Kingsley (or do you use MSN, as a matter of principle ;) )

  • mahesh

    Are you going to join GOOG after a year, just like Vic? :)
    Vic can afford to take a one year break, not many of us can.

  • mahesh

    Are you going to join GOOG after a year, just like Vic? :)
    Vic can afford to take a one year break, not many of us can.

  • TAG

    mahesh,

    Nice catch. Robert has anounced this long time ago at http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/2006/04/01/announcement-im-going-to-google/

  • TAG

    mahesh,

    Nice catch. Robert has anounced this long time ago at http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/2006/04/01/announcement-im-going-to-google/

  • mahesh

    TAG,

    That’s a very clever move from Robert :) Made it look like a joke.

    Anyway Robert, I wish you the best for your job at podtech. I am not a big fan of Pods, but it’s good to know that you will continue to blog.

    Cheers

  • mahesh

    TAG,

    That’s a very clever move from Robert :) Made it look like a joke.

    Anyway Robert, I wish you the best for your job at podtech. I am not a big fan of Pods, but it’s good to know that you will continue to blog.

    Cheers

  • http://www.thebizofknowledge.com/ thebizofknowledge

    Sure, there are 60,000 people still left at MS. But the fact that so many “high profile” execs have been/are leaving is of course going to raise eyebrows. And not just in the blogosphere either.

  • http://www.thebizofknowledge.com thebizofknowledge

    Sure, there are 60,000 people still left at MS. But the fact that so many “high profile” execs have been/are leaving is of course going to raise eyebrows. And not just in the blogosphere either.

  • http://www.sureshkumar.net/ Kevin

    We can not blame him. He did the right thing it seems

  • http://www.sureshkumar.net Kevin

    We can not blame him. He did the right thing it seems

  • TAG

    The fact that there are 60,000 people still left at MS mean nothing.

    According to article – http://news.com.com/Microsoft+boosts+salaries+to+keep+talent+in+hot+job+market/2100-1001_3-237605.html
    There >=7,5% who will leave MS this year. 7,5% from 60000 is 4500. About 12 per day !

  • TAG

    The fact that there are 60,000 people still left at MS mean nothing.

    According to article – http://news.com.com/Microsoft+boosts+salaries+to+keep+talent+in+hot+job+market/2100-1001_3-237605.html
    There >=7,5% who will leave MS this year. 7,5% from 60000 is 4500. About 12 per day !

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  • http://dubai42.wordpress.com/ dubai42

    hm, could be just a salary thing…

  • http://dubai42.wordpress.com/ dubai42

    hm, could be just a salary thing…

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  • http://www.j2eequestions.com/ Jas

    Sounds interesting

  • http://www.j2eequestions.com Jas

    Sounds interesting

  • http://www.j2eequestions.com/ http://www.j2eequestions.com

    Even I am looking for change ;-)

  • http://www.j2eequestions.com http://www.j2eequestions.com

    Even I am looking for change ;-)

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  • Lea

    Good for Google and Vic. Fifteen plus years at the same company could be boring, and now Google hired the best.
    If you see this, Vic, call me. It’s been awhile.

    ~lea in Seattle

  • Lea

    Good for Google and Vic. Fifteen plus years at the same company could be boring, and now Google hired the best.
    If you see this, Vic, call me. It’s been awhile.

    ~lea in Seattle

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