Steve Ballmer has written an email to a host of Microsoft customers in which he constantly reminds us of the importance of technology. Specifically Microsoft technology.

Although the email is supposed to be positive, one can't help but imagine it being drawn up in some high, darkened tower by a fleet of lackies while Ballmer walks menacingly around a table, hacking up soundbites. "Today, people borrow less, save more, and spend with much greater caution," he notes. "This is the new normal and it will be with us for some time to come. The issue now is how to respond." (*cue fist hitting table).

Go on then. Tell us Steve! What do we need? "The new normal requires a new kind of efficiency built on technology innovations that enable businesses and organisations to simultaneously drive cost savings, improve productivity, and speed innovation." Oh...technology solutions.
We probably should have guessed.

Undeterred, Steve tells us to do more with less, which is pretty obvious stuff and could also be applied to Ballmer's haircut. "To build a sustainable competitive advantage, companies must ultimately do two things - increase productivity and find ways to deliver new value to customers. The issue, then, is how can organisations take costs out of their operations, increase productivity, and expand their capacity for innovation all at the same time?", he adds.

Steve, if we were playing hangman would the answer to that question look a bit like this, 't_chnolo_y'? We get the message so far. Perhaps you could be a bit more specific?

"This year, Microsoft is introducing a wave of new software created specifically to enable businesses to tackle their most pressing challenges and strengthen their ability to deliver innovation to the marketplace. It starts with Windows 7." What a surprise, but do go on...

"We've also just released a new version of our server operating system. Windows Server 2008 R2 is designed to increase the reliability and flexibility of server infrastructures."

This is getting boring. Shall we summarise? Basically we'll survive if we help you to prosper. Nice.

Wow. Thanks for the email Steve. Perhaps next time you'll have the decency to ask about the family.