Don Dodge on The Next Big Thing

Moving to the Cloud is not an all or nothing proposition

The Enterprise Cloud Summit panel at the Interop Conference yesterday discussed some of the challenges and concerns of large enterprises and government agencies in moving their applications to the cloud. While there are some regulatory and compliance concerns for some applications, it isn’t an all or nothing proposition. Moving your email, calendar, spreadsheet, word processor, and other productivity apps to the cloud now can save big money, and free up your IT resources to focus on more strategic issues.

InformationWeek says “The vendors argued that cloud computing offers enough real benefits at the present time that most organizations should at least consider it for some functions. One approach, said Google's Don Dodge, is to move low-level data and services to the cloud while continuing to maintain sensitive information in-house.

Dodge told New York's CIO Rico Singleton that his cash-strapped state could save $50 to $100 million per year just by moving its 190,000 employees to Google's cloud-based Google Apps desktop applications. "It's not all or nothing," said Dodge. "Take advantage of the cost savings for the simple things," he said.”

CRN’s Channel Web captured the essence of the discussion;

Cloud evangelists from the technology companies led off the keynote extolling the various virtues of the cloud model, from Google developer advocate Don Dodge emphasizing simplicity and cost-savings to Microsoft's Yousef Khalidi, distinguished engineer for Windows Azure, explaining how to leverage public and private cloud models to maximize efficiency for enterprises both public and private.

All well and good, agreed end user representatives John Merchant, assistant vice president for The Hartford Financial Services Group; Rico Singleton, deputy state CIO of New York; and Louis Gutierrez, CIO emeritus of Massachusetts and CIO emeritus of Harvard-Pilgrim Healthcare. But that might not be enough -- yet -- to convince regulators, government officials or even citizens that cloud-based solutions offer trust-worthy levels of security and resiliency.

"I hear a lot about security and the accessibility of data centers all over the world," Merchant said. "But how in the world will all of the information my company collects be protected? How will I be sure when I give my data to you that I can comply with all those regulations?"

Louis Gutierrez, former CIO for Massachusetts and for Harvard-Pilgrim Healthcare suggested there should be industry specific standards and a certification process for cloud computing suppliers. Compliance with these standards would give buyers confidence that there data is safe and auditable.

InformationWeek says “Gutierrez worried that cloud providers' systems are not mature enough to meet reporting requirements under which many regulated industries operate. He believes "there's a lot that's hugely attractive" about cloud computing, but said he can't fully endorse the model until more effective auditing systems are developed.

"It has to be trust, but verify," said Gutierrez, who suggested that vendors work with industry associations to develop standards that could be used as the basis for industry certification programs. Google (NSDQ: GOOG)'s Dodge called the concept "a great idea."

Google has a two pronged approach for enterprises moving to the Cloud. Google Apps has packaged applications like Gmail, calendar, Google Docs, Google Sites, Video, and other commonly used applications. Enterprises can get immediate cost savings by moving these routine every day applications to the cloud, and free up IT resources to focus on more strategic issues.

Google AppEngine provides a custom development environment and scalable deployment infrastructure. Enterprise developers can build custom applications using the same systems that power Google applications, with built-in scalability leveraging things like BigTable and GFS.

Google provides a safe path for enterprises to move routine applications to the cloud now using pre-built Google Apps or custom built apps on Google AppEngine. Transition over time. It isn’t all or nothing.

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Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen diagnosed Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Paul Allen, the 56 year old co-founder of Microsoft has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, a form of cancer of the lymphatic system. Paul is a tough guy, he already beat Hodgkin's Disease 25 years ago, and he will beat this too. Paul is one of the good guys. Everyone who knows him loves him. Say a prayer for Paul today.

It is tragic when anyone is struck with cancer, but it seems only the celebs and rich people get noticed by the media. It is those less fortunate, those without adequate health care, that we should focus more attention on. Health insurance for all Americans must be provided in some form. Those who argue about the cost wouldn’t be arguing so loudly if it was their mother or brother who didn’t have a job and was left without health insurance. This is a problem that must be fixed.

Paul Allen co-founded Microsoft in 1975 with Bill Gates. He left 8 years later in fight Hodgkin's Disease, but stayed on the Board of Directors of Microsoft until 2000. Paul is a sports enthusiast. He owns the Seattle Seahawks football team, the Portland Trailblazers basketball team, and the Seattle Sounders soccer team. Paul is also an active tech investor with his Vulcan Ventures.

Be well Paul!

Thanks Microsoft, Hello Google

Thanks to all the fine people at Microsoft. It was an interesting ride. Four years, 11 months, and 20 days, and I enjoyed every one of them. Well, except for the last few days, that was not fun at all. I hope I played a small part in making Microsoft more approachable, friendly to startups, and easier to work with. Microsoft is a different company, a better company, than when I joined 5 years ago. There are more new people who joined Microsoft in the last 5 years than all the previous employees combined. However, laying off 5,000 people when you have $37B in cash and huge profits is not cool. But hey, thanks for pushing me on to the Next Big Thing.

Mike Arrington at TechCrunch broke the story late Sunday night. TechMeme has other stories. He also did my exit interview last week, and seemed to know where I was going before I did.

Thanks Microsoft, I’m going to Google! Vic Gundotra at Google was the first one to contact me with an opportunity…90 minutes after the news of the layoff hit. That fast decisive action was refreshing, and such a contrast to the slow, secretive, bureaucracy at Microsoft. That speed and decisiveness also reflects different approaches to hiring great people, building great products and serving customers well. I have always admired Google. I am excited to now be part of the team. My job at Google will be helping developers (and startups) build great products and services using Google technology and platforms. Google is building world class products for companies of all sizes, but especially the enterprise market. I will be part of the team to make that happen.

Last week started a new personal journey for me. One without Microsoft. So, why not move forward without Microsoft technology, and try the new alternatives? Old habits die hard, but these were actually pretty easy to break.

I plan to write extensively and honestly about my experiences in making the transition from Microsoft to Google technologies. I expect there will be some challenges, some idiosyncracies, and areas for improvement. I also expect that Google's approach to building products will offer some distinct advantages now, and over time. The key is choosing the right tool for the right job. There is no one product that solves all problems for all use cases.

Thanks Microsoft Outlook, but I’m going to Gmail. I made the switch to Gmail last week and it has been awesome! Outlook has been an old familiar friend for years, but it was getting kind of tired. Gmail is new, fast, web based, and has all the features I need. I especially like the way it threads conversations making it easy to keep everything in context. And of course the search capabilities are world class. One other subtle thing…no spam. I never realized how much corporate spam invaded my Microsoft inbox. Endless emails about corporate meetings, events, promotions, and CC's on email threads I don't care about. Gmail has been liberating.

Thanks Microsoft Office Office 2007, but I’m going to Google Docs. Hey, isn’t this November of 2009? Why Word 2007? One of the nice things about Google Docs, and all web based products, is that they can be updated continuously with no interruption to you. New features and bug fixes happen automatically in the background so you always have the latest technology…not the 2007 version. Another great thing about Google Docs is the easy online collaboration, and always working with the most up to date version of a file. No more need to attach versions of docs, spreadsheets, or presentations to emails…and then search for another email with the latest version. I have been experimenting with Google Docs and have been able to do everything I did in Microsoft Office. I can’t think of a single feature missing from what I need every day. There may be some edge cases…but I haven’t bumped into any yet.

Thanks Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5, but I’m going to Google Android. OK, now that I am no longer with Microsoft, I can admit I had iPhone envy. My Windows Mobile “Smartphone” didn’t measure up. But, the problem was my whole family has phones on the Verizon Family Plan network. And, AT&T doesn’t have good coverage in my area. My good friend Rich Miner showed me his Google Android phone last week. It is beautiful, lots of great apps,…and it works on the Verizon network. Awesome! Can’t wait to get mine.

Thanks Microsoft Internet Explorer, but I’m moving to Google Chrome. Chrome starts faster, loads pages faster, and is easier to use. The web browser is where most of us spend the majority of our time. And, most new applications are web based. Google Chrome is making the Operating System irrelevant. In fact I tend to forget it is there…until I see that “blue circle of death”. With applications now running in the browser, the client OS becomes less and less important.

The transition from Microsoft to Google will be an interesting story for this blog. Making the switch to new products and technologies will be fun. I hope many of you will share your experiences too. It is an honor to be part of the Google team. The new chapter starts right now.

UPDATE: The reaction to this post has been a little surprising, both on the positive and negative side. Developers choose their dev tools and platforms based on technical merit, experience, cost, and a variety of other factors. I don't believe that any "evangelist" including me, could convince a developer to use a technology just because we say nice things about it.

Xobni, a Y Combinator company, is a good example. They chose to build on Microsoft long before I came along. But, once we connected I was able to help them get access to software, technical support, consulting, and lots of PR and exposure to MSFT, the press, VCs, etc. At Google my goal is to help developers in the same way.

I am not a "marketing" or PR guy. I help startups and developers get things done, get them help when they ask, etc.

In this post I highlighted some of the things I noticed about the Google alternatives. I don't think I went all the way to say Google is better in every case and those Microsoft products are bad. People will make their own choices based on their own needs. If I left that impression I am sorry.

There are lots of choices. No one tool or product will be the best in all possible use cases. Work loads and requirements are different, and the choice of tool or platform can vary. My job as an evangelist is to make people aware of what exists, and make it easy for them to get access to the help they need.

Thanks,

Don Dodge

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Gmail, Facebook, and Twitter the new communication modes

Gmail, Facebook, and Twitter have become my main communication channels since leaving Microsoft. They are always open on my laptop and cell phone. It is somewhat surprising to me how effective these tools are at reaching individual people or thousands of people at the same time. The corporate email system seems oddly out of touch now. Strange now fast that happens. I have used Facebook and Twitter for a long time. But now that I am outside the corporate wall they have taken on new importance. Gmail is new to me, but I can already see why people have been raving about it. It is email, but different…better.

I also plan to change my cell phone experience. The Motorola Q with Windows Mobile is OK, but not great. I admit I have iPhone envy. But, the problem has been the carrier. My family has 5 phones on Verizon family plan. Verizon has GREAT nation-wide coverage. I can’t make the switch to AT&T. So, the new Android looks real good…and it works on the Verizon network. Sounds like a winner.

My life has been moving at warp speed over the past week. Literally meeting people and talking 14 hours a day. It is exhilarating and mind expanding. There are some amazing new technologies and innovations happening out there. Startups are making it happen, but so are innovative companies like Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Twitter. Impressive companies doing leading edge stuff. I hope to be a part of one of these innovative startups or iconic companies real soon. And, I expect the communication tools will include things like Gmail, Facebook, and Twitter. Welcome to the new world of warp speed communications.

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Pay It Forward, Give and you shall receive

I want to publicly say thank you to all my friends. You know who your friends are when times are tough. I heard from hundreds of friends last week and it meant a lot to me. Social media has created a whole new set of “friends” who know a lot about you and care about you, even though you may have never met in person. Hundreds of these friends took the time to write to me. Over 400 emails on my new Gmail account. There were also hundreds of comments on blogs and news sites that carried the story of my separation from Microsoft. It was almost like I had died, but got to read my obituary and hear the tributes. It was surreal, uplifting, humbling, and very gratifying. Thank you. I had no idea…really.

Mike Arrington from Techcrunch was the first person to call me, literally minutes after my Goodbye Microsoft blog post. Mike called as a friend, not as a reporter looking for a story. I will always remember his kindness. Jason Calacanis and Robert Scoble also called soon after. Scott Kirsner (Boston Globe), Walt Mossberg (Wall Street Journal), Ina Fried (CNet) Brier Dudley (Seattle Times), Henry Blodget (Silicon Alley), and many others contacted me too. Not for a story, just to express their shock and condolences. In a world where getting the story first is all that matters, they showed great class. Thank you.

The VC world responded too. Brad Feld, Ann Winblad, David Hornik, Michael Skok, Jonathan Seelig, Ross Levinsohn, James Geshwiler, Dave Barrett, Richard Dale, and many others were also quick to offer support. VCs are the busiest, most connected, people in the world. They took the time to drop what they were doing and reach out.Thank you all.

Most touching were the hundreds of “friends” I have never met, or maybe met briefly at a conference. Their stories, encouragement, and tributes were heartwarming. They meant more to me than you will ever know. Thank you!

Then of course there were the job offers or offers to discuss opportunities. They came from everywhere. The big tech companies, the biggest names in the business, were very quick to reach out, within hours of the news. I was pleasantly surprised. VC firms wanted to talk about opportunities at their firms and within their portfolio companies. Startup founders were also quick to act. Thank you all. I appreciate every single one of you.

I have always tried to respond to every person who contacts me, any time, on any subject. I will always stop and talk to anyone at a conference or trade show. I remember when it was me on the other end trying to meet people, get advice, and get referrals. Last week was overwhelming. I am still trying to respond to every email, Facebook message, Twitter tweet, and comment. It will take a while, but I hope to do it.

Getting dumped by Microsoft was a life changing event…for the better. The future is very bright. The opportunities are amazing. But, there are thousands of other people who have been laid off from Microsoft and other companies where the prospects are not so bright. I ask each and every one of you to do whatever you can to help these people. Reach out to them. Don’t wait for them to contact you….do it now. Respond to their emails. Accept their phone calls. Refer opportunities to them. Take the time, show compassion, do the right thing. Remember, it may be you one day who needs the help. Pay it forward.

Give and you shall receive…when you most need it. It is not just a cliché. It is a way of life, and it works.

Thank you.

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Goodbye Microsoft, the next chapter

Microsoft announced more layoffs today, and I was one of them. This was a total surprise to me, and management offered no explanation. This is pretty standard procedure, mostly for legal reasons, but none the less left me with a cold feeling...but only for a minute or two.

Today I start thinking about the next chapter in my life. It is always exciting to look beyond your normal boundaries and think about new possibilities. Being totally consumed with my job and traveling every week has left no time to think about other opportunities. That changes today. I couldn’t be more excited about the future.

I will be blogging more often now, and that excites me. There are lots of topics that I have wanted to dive into but just haven’t had the time. I will be seeing more friends too. Again, I have been so busy traveling that I haven’t had time to connect with friends all over the world. It’s all good.

My email at Microsoft will go dark in a day or two, so my new contact is DonaldDodge@gmail.com or send me a note on Facebook or Twitter @DonDodge 

Thanks to all the fine people at Microsoft. You know who you are. There are thousands of talented people there and I enjoyed working with all of them. I’m sure we will see each other again at conferences and industry events. Its a small world…and getting more connected every day. I’ll see you on the web.

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Failure is NOT an option – Why this can be a bad strategy

An exec at a large European financial company recently told me his former CEO believed “Failure is not an option”. Great, I thought. This means they will do whatever it takes to succeed, try five or ten different approaches until it works, get the whole company focused on the goal, etc. No, he told me. What it means is “Make a mistake and you are fired.” Wow! Another example of the difference between startups and big companies. I have worked most of my career in startups where you are always pushing the envelope, taking big risks, where there are no obvious answers, and you just keep trying until you find the combination that works.

Startups play poker, big companies play chess – This “failure is not an option” discussion reminded me of the huge differences between startups and big companies. Success is not easy in either case, but the approaches are radically different. Using a game analogy, startups are more like poker players. They take big risks, they bluff, they make quick decisions, change direction constantly, and they keep their competitors off balance. Poker is an aggressive game where if you play your cards right you win big, and win fast. If you lose a hand you can come back and double your money in the next hand. There is no time to wallow over a loss. You did your best. Move on and your luck will be better next time. Chess is a different game. Both require incredible skill and talent. A great poker player is rarely a good chess player.

Big companies think long term. Like chess players they think four or five moves (years) ahead. They protect their assets, play defensively, think strategically, and carefully consider the options before making a move. Big companies have a lot to lose, while small companies don’t. Big companies leverage their assets (conservatively) and flex their muscles where they can. They go for incremental improvements in position. Big company CEOs, like chess players, work a long term strategy. Each short term move plays a part in a longer term strategy that is not visible to the casual observer. In fact, their strategy is often kept secret, and they take care to make sure their short term moves don’t reveal their long term plan. Strategy is a competitive advantage.

There is another interesting topic on how to make the transition from startup to successful big company, but we will save that for another day.

Fail Fast – If you are going to fail, do it fast and move on to the next thing. More in depth thoughts here. The only thing better than a "Yes" is a quick "NO". When you are raising money, selling a customer, or trying to get a deal done, it is the long drawn out process that never ends that will kill you. It is the same thing with startups. Being successful is always the goal, but if it is going to fail...Fail fast.

Bill Warner, founder of Avid Technologies, Wildfire Communications, etc, said recently “Some of you guys are so smart you turn what should have been a one year failure into a five year death march.” Entrepreneurs are resourceful, smart, and have that indomitable spirit that doesn’t allow them to quit. This can be good and bad. Sometimes it is better to “fold” and move on to the next game.

Hold ‘em or Fold ‘em? – “You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away, know when to run.” Kenny Rogers. The toughest decision any entrepreneur makes is giving up on a company. It just isn’t in their DNA to do it. In fact, they rarely decide to do it, it is the investors who finally make the call. How do they decide? It is really about passion and commitment – from the founders, investors, employees, and customers. If the passion is lost in any two of the four groups…it is probably time to “fold” and move on.

Fine line between success and failure – There are no easy and obvious answers. If it were easy everyone would have already done it. Timing and luck play a big part in success…bigger than most people will admit. There are four key elements to success in any business; great people, great idea, great timing, and luck. If you don’t have any two of the four…you are probably going to fail. I have seen startups with great people and a great idea that were too early (timing), or had bad luck on things they couldn’t control. They failed. The same idea tried five years later succeeded. Timing matters. The market needs to be ready to adopt your ideas. The answer is never obvious. You don’t know for sure until you try.

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