I picked up a post (more of a rant) by Rich…! at the always entertaining Jo’blog site referring to Microsoft SA’s recent “Women in IT” website launch.
In essence the site is a community platform for SA women either interested in, or working in, the IT field. Built-in mentorship programmes, annual bursaries and forums are a few of the prominent features. Rich…! has a strong point to make about the stereotypical design standards of the site, but I’m more interested in finding out why Microsoft are focussing so strongly on women in IT.
Is it just a marketing tool, another attempt at building brand loyalty amongst the geeky (predominantly anti-Microsoft) masses? Is it a corporate social investment project? Is it a weak attempt at a social network, and to what end?
What impression do our esteemed female colleagues get from the site?