Workgroup’s Purpose

• Commercial Software Initiative (CSI) Lead plays a pivotal role for the Subsidiary GM and Microsoft by building a discipline within the Area that is focused on competing against Linux and Free Open Source Software (FOSS). Reporting to the BMO, the CSI Lead will be accountable to work with the BG Leads, Segment Leads, PR and Marketing groups and develop, implement, and monitor the Area’s competitive strategy for competing with Linux and FOSS.

Job’s Purpose

• The CSI Lead is the Linux Compete/FOSS compete champion within his/her Area. 

The CSI Lead owns three core objectives for the Area (and Subsidiaries) as follows:

• Drive CSI Strategy. The CSI Lead is responsible for providing a 360 degree view of the local  compete environment (directly to the Chief Compete Officer and BMO) and ensuring plans are in place to help drive healthy, balanced, and sustained growth.  Ability to win share from competitors and ensure growth faster than the market (Servers, IW, Web, HPC)
• Be a Perception Change Agent. The CSI Lead needs to understand how Microsoft’s platform is perceived, across a number of key audiences (IT Pros, Government Elites, BDMs, IT Journalists, etc.)  Ability to implement programmatic marketing that will CHANGE THE WAY PEOPLE think about Microsoft, specifically those with a ‘hostile’ or negative perception of the Microsoft platform.
• Build ‘Compete Muscle’ Across Your Area. The CSI Lead owns ensuring that the region and subs are fully ready to compete against Linux and FOSS. This includes everything from training to being the subject matter expertise, where needed.  Ability to diagnose a market share problem, find root causes and pull together a team that will PLAN / DO / CHECK / ACT in the right direction.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strategic thinker
• Creative, dynamic and forward thinking individual who has a passion for Open Source and Linux
• Detailed knowledge of the competitive landscape of Open Source and Linux. 
• Good understanding of technical issues relating to Open Source and Linux in order to credibility talk to customers, press and analysts. 
• Great communication and collaboration skills
• Strong analytical capabilities
• Team player – must focus on winning as a team versus individually
• Ability to work effectively across different teams
• Innovative – able to identify new opportunities and make them happen