To even a technology neophyte (is there such a thing now?), Windows is synonymous with Microsoft and vice versa. To a tech marketer, Rowland Hanson is a name that is the stuff of legend. The story of how Windows got its name has been mentioned in numerous books, articles, and countless departmental discussions around branding, naming, and marketing strategies. You can Google “Rowland Hanson Microsoft Windows” and read about how Bill Gates personally recruited Rowland from Neutrogena (where he had already made a name for himself as VP of global marketing) to serve as Microsoft’s first marketing executive (VP of corporate communications). And, upon joining, how Rowland convinced Gates to name its GUI based MS-DOS extension or add-on as “Windows” instead of “interface manager.”
I never met Rowland in person. I first reached out to him in 2001 to get some advice on career direction and marketing. Although I was a complete stranger, he gave me invaluable suggestions and always offered to help any way he could. If there’s one dominant characteristic I’ve seen in successful people it is in their desire and willingness to share, teach, and help. This is their “edge” as well as gift.
Recently, I sent a list of “8 Questions” to a handful of successful people so they can share their thoughts in our blog, the Marketing Joint. We think our readers will enjoy it. Unlike other media outlets and blogs, we’re not going to limit our definition of “successful people” to prominent or famous folks. Success is found at every level. Success is an ongoing experience – not an end or even a pinnacle. We hope to have a few of these “8 Question” (email) interviews appear on our blog.
8 Questions with Rowland Hanson – The Father of Microsoft Marketing
Name: Rowland Hanson
Current Job: President / Co-Founder of The HMC Company
Years of Experience: 35
Biggest Career Mentor: Lloyd Cotsen (Chairman/CEO of Neutrogena Corporation)
John Oh: What is the best life lesson you learned from your parents?
Rowland Hanson: The importance of a family unit.
JO: What qualities do you look for in a leader?
RH: Great interpersonal skills and the “will” to succeed.
JO: How do you effectively manage your time?
RH: E-mail gives me 1000% flexibility in terms of place and time.
JO: When faced with a tough business problem, how do you go about making a decision?
RH: First, put it into perspective. Second, weigh the pros and cons and be objective versus emotional.
JO: What are some ways in which you relieve the everyday stresses and pressures of work?
RH: WORKOUT religiously.
JO: How do you define marketing and why is marketing important to define that way?
RH: Marketing to me is about creating demand.
JO: How can marketing improve its role in supporting revenue goals?
RH: Making sure an organization understand that the perceived value created in a brand is as important as the real value of a product or service.
JO: What are the personal qualities or traits that you’ve consistently noticed in great marketing people you have worked with?
RH: They see their product/service from the user’s perspective - not through their own.
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