This past weekend, over a dozen Haasies escaped the pressure of Spring A midterms and trekked to Seattle, WA. During our trip, we visited Microsoft, Amazon, and Starbucks. At each company, we were given a brief tour of the office and greeted by a panel of Haas alumni who talked about their experiences and fielded questions.
While at Microsoft, we discussed the future of Windows Mobile, the success of Windows 7, and Microsoft’s entry into cloud computing with Azure. We also had a chance to experiment with Microsoft Surface and test out some other Microsoft innovations still under development.
Amazon product managers discussed the recent success of the Kindle launch and the company’s strategy for maintaining its position as a leader in cloud computing. Amazon’s commitment to their customers and focus on long-term success was clearly evident throughout our visit.
At Starbucks, talked in depth about the strategies behind the launch of VIA and how Starbucks maintains its competitive position despite increasing attacks from local coffee shops and other major coffee brands. It was remarkable how Starbucks’ approach to marketing mirrors what we saw at both Amazon and Microsoft.
Seattle has a strong Haas alumni network. Our alumni came out in strong force to a greet us and share some drinks Friday night. In addition to company visits, we hit all the major sites (Pike’s Place, Brainbridge Island, Space Needle) and checked out the nightlife and bar scene at a bunch of Seattle’s neighborhoods. A trip to the only organic, fair trade chocolate factory in the US – Theo Chocolate – was a sweet treat. Theo’s CEO and CFO came out to greet us and talk business after our tour of their facilities.
For many of us, it was our first visit to Seattle. For all, it was both educational and a lot of fun. A big thanks to Jon Platner (HTC VP of Communications and Marketing) for organizing the trip and Seattle natives who gave us the insider’s view of the city.
Check out more photos on our YouTube page.