Li Kaifu: Microsoft's Ubiquitous Whiteboard

During that time, anyone visiting the Microsoft Research Institute could not help exclaiming: "how can there be so many whiteboards?" some guests sitting in our lounge will be surprised to find that even the tea tables at hand can "write".

Whiteboard culture is not what I started in research institutes.

As early as 1983, when I was studying for PhD at Carnegie Mellon University,

So to speak,

Whether an idea is good or bad, whether or not a research direction can be successful depends on the "shining light" of the researchers.

At the beginning of the founding of the Institute, it is especially important for these smart Chinese to communicate freely and regardless of level. Therefore, it is a matter of particular importance for me to install more whiteboards.

The idea coincides with that of Zhang Yaqin.

Before he returned, he sent me an email saying, "I'm used to having an office that I can discuss with several people. I need a bigger whiteboard.

I noticed that the whiteboards of the fifth floor offices of the sigma building are very small. Do we have the chance to whiteboard a bit larger?

I immediately sent him an email: "we will knock out a wall and build a bigger office for you, about 20 square meters (the standard office is about 13 square meters).

There will be furniture companies coming tomorrow, with a white board of 14 meters for your office.

When ya Qin returned to the mail, he shouted, "Hey! 14 meters! You're kidding, Kaifu, that big whiteboard can extend to Chang'an Avenue!"

I discovered that I made a mistake and hastened to reply: "sorry, aqin, whiteboard is not 14 meters, I made a mistake, it is about 3 meters wide and 1.5 meters high.

Don't be unhappy about it, instead of working in China.

Years later, Ya Qin often ridiculed me, "the whiteboard in the office is only 4 meters, and you still owe 10 meters."

In order to bring the whiteboard culture into full play, I also designed "whiteboard culture".

In our largest conference room, "guide hall", you can see squares, rectangles, or even round white board tables.

There is also a whole whiteboard wall.

The whiteboard, which is accessible and ubiquitous, has become a symbol of the Institute.

On one occasion, the Microsoft Research Institute filming a documentary, invited several photographers to shoot "work scenes", and public relations manager Shang Li Li suggested that I invite some researchers to act as "extras" to perform a discussion.

Several researchers were rather reluctant when they were dragged to play.

At the "gunpowder storehouse", the director began to guide the play. "As usual, you should discuss how to discuss, do not look at us."

At this time, a researcher wrote a question on the whiteboard, and other researchers soon gathered around the whiteboard, arguing all the time, and completely forgot the lens next to him.

After the film was finished, the cameras went away with the camera. They were still arguing fiercely there.

The director sighed and said, "these actors are performing very lifelike!"

I always feel that details can reflect a company's corporate culture.

Some enterprises are very luxurious, and the boss's office is much more luxurious than the employees. It can be guessed that its hierarchy may be very deep.

In our research institute, visitors can see its whiteboard and feel its distinct academic style.

Later, when the professors from the US Advisory Committee visited Microsoft China Research Institute, they were surprised to see the whiteboard coffee table of the Research Institute.

He said, "this is really a good idea. Otherwise, send a table like this to the United States."