Microsoft trims MVP benefits, allows shareholders say on executives' pay.

Instead of trying (and failing) to do full blog posts on the many different Microsoft news bits I’ve read recently, I decided to do a quick link list. Here are a few new items that might be of interest:
Microsoft is trimming some of the benefits it is offering to participants in its Most Valuable Professional (MVP) program, no doubt due to cost-cutting measures affecting the company overall. In a note to MVPs (posted on the ActiveWin.com site), Microsoft claims to be “expanding our investment in the MVP Award Program” with a new online MVP portal coming next year. But in the same note, officials acknowledge that they are cutting a number of the “less significant” benefits, as of October 1, including Company Store (MVP Bucks), E-Academy, E-Reference Library and MS Press Book Reviews. The worldwide MVP conference is not cancelled; it’s on for mid-February 2010 (but in Redmond/Bellevue, not in Seattle).

Source -
Microsoft trims MVP benefits, allows shareholders say on executives' pay | All about Microsoft | ZDNet.com

 

[Ex_Brit]

To give an award and then take part of it away makes me feel like an Olympic Gold medallist disqualified because I took a banned substance.
The banned substance being the ability to shop at the Microsoft Company Store.

I suppose I should be greatful for the balance of the award and the award itself, but that's a first in my experience - handing someone something and then taking part of it away.

Effective October 1 MVP's wont be able to shop at the Company Store. Those who already have that ability have until November 30 to use it.

I hope I haven't broken any NDA by posting this.