If imitation is the highest form of flattery then Apple should be blushing right about now.
Microsoft has recently stated that their latest marketing campaign will include expertly trained in-store personnel. The company’s GM of corporate communications, Tom Pilla, has stated that the Microsoft representatives, dubbed “Microsoft Gurus,” will provide support and answer customer questions, effectively copying every aspect of the Apple’s Geniuses.
Microsoft will perform a trial run, sending out 155 trained Windows experts into large electronic retailers such as Best Buy and Circuit City. The Gurus, will perform similar duties as the Apple Geniuses, answering general questions about Windows and providing live demonstrations of Microsoft programs and services. Similar to their Apple doppelgangers, the Microsoft Gurus will not be paid on commission, focusing their help on which ever customers are in need of it.
The new breed of experts are said to be released into the wild by the end of 2008, yet no word has been given about when the program will expand if proven to be successful. Coming into this year’s holiday season, the Guru program will be just one piece of Microsoft’s vigorous effort to make up for lost ground.
[via Electronista]
One Comment to “Microsoft to Replicate Apple Genius Program”
It’s a simple training script “if OS != Vista then
tell person “You need to upgrade to Vista. Will you be charging the purchase?”
else if computer is more than one year old then
tell person “You need to buy a new computer, as your old computer just can do all these new things. And the new computer will need to run Vista to do what you want.”
else
tell person “You need to contact the manufacturer of your computer/device to get newer drivers for your computer to work properly.”
Reply