Tom Pilla, Microsoftis general manager of corporate communications, isnit comparing the Microsoft Gurus to the Apple Genius bar team. “Think of that as borrowing a page from Nordstrom with that retail customer experience,” he said.
The Gurus will be placed in stores to help potential customers select Microsoft solutions and to offer pre-sale support. They will not, however, be available for post-sale support, unlike the Genius Bar staff, potentially limiting their usefulness to new Microsoft customers.
The Microsoft Guru program is part of a US$300 million campaign the Redmond-based company has launched in an effort to improve its image. The company recently launched a new TV ad series with Bill Gates and comedian Jerry Seinfeld as part of its image revamp, too.