ballmer deposes about breaking kneecaps

sept 8

from a video transcript of the deposition by steve ballmer of microsoft about kai-fu lee, the former chinese employee of microsoft who was hired away by google.

interestingly, lee was/is expecting to be paid $10 million over four years by google. nice chuck of change indeed.

i like the deposition about what microsoft does in china (and india). kind of reminds you of mario puzo and marlon brando:

Ballmer: Kai-Fu had a -- a distinct commitment and responsibility on behalf of the company for being the senior executive here in Redmond, with responsibility for godfathering, shepherding all of our R&D activities in China. It's a structure we also use for India. We have a senior executive with knowledge of India be the R&D godfather for India, encourage work to go there, shepherd, and -- and mentor people in the area. Kai-Fu had that broad, important responsibility for China."

Deposing lawyer: "This term, 'godfather' -- is that an official title within the Microsoft organization?"