In the past my articles have been centered around technology, products and applications used within the business world. This weeks entry is a bit different. My friend and business partner at Odyssey Consulting Group, Daniel Egan has a once in a lifetime opportunity this week. To be one of fifteen people who get to have lunch with Bill Gates.
He found out last week and called me directly. After the initial excitement died down, I posed a simple yet poignant question to him. "You have this amazing opportunity to meet a true pioneer in the technology and computer industry, a world class humanitarian, and the third richest man in the world. What question will you ask him?"
He stopped dead in his tracks and realized he had no idea.
So, my Fast Company readers, if faced with the same opportunity, what question would you ask Mr.Gates? Would it be about a Microsoft product? His long battles with Apple, Intel and the EU? The future of Windows, Cloud Computing and WiMax? His work with One.org, RED, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation? Perhaps what it's like to have Bono and Al Gore as friends? Maybe ask why he drives a Saturn when he could own any car on the planet? What would you ask?
Post your questions below. The best question will get asked and your answer will be posted below. I am very serious. I will post a photo of Daniel and Bill next week from their lunch.
I look forward to your ideas and suggestions.
Related Stories: | Topics:Innovation, Technology, Ethonomics, Bill Gates, microsoft, Opportunity, One.org, Daniel Egan, Bill Gates, Odyssey Consulting Group, Fast Company Magazine, Al Gore |
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Recent Comments | 37 Total
June 4, 2008 at 11:29am by Loren Feldman
Bill, what do you say to Microsoft employees who show up at work wearing an iPod?
June 4, 2008 at 11:36am by Saabira Chaudhuri
If you could have chaired any other big company in the world, what would it have been??
June 4, 2008 at 11:40am by Erika Schneider
Bill, software programmers and web coders have so many problems coding websites just to be compatible with Internet Explorer browsers, including the newest versions. Do you have any suggestions as to possible solutions to the compatibility issue? Would you consider building the next version of Internet Explorer to web standards like Firefox?
June 4, 2008 at 11:51am by Tyler Adams
Given what you have accomplished throughout your career, what will it take for you to be satisfied and take a step down?
June 4, 2008 at 12:31pm by Oliver Thylmann
For now I think Loren's question is the best (even though Nokia has no problem with key people using an iphone for example) ... other question...
Was there anything special you feel your parents did to make you who you are today, to make you want to found a company, to make you driven to succeed? Framed differently, is there anything you would suggest to a parent as a key to enable a kid to be successful?
June 4, 2008 at 12:32pm by OSIZE OMOLUABI
Your accomplishment in the fight against Malaria in Africa is remarkable. What will be next after that fight is won. Would you consider something in human resource development for the continent.
No points for guessing, I am a Nigerian.
June 4, 2008 at 12:33pm by Michael Beckner
Mr Gates, how will MSFT create value as that is increasingly found higher up the technology stack, a place which is defined by a largely- or fully-open Web OS?
June 4, 2008 at 12:40pm by Ann Smith
I want $500.00 to create our family emergency packs.
It stresses me to think I have to have all this ready.
June 4, 2008 at 12:50pm by Sherri L. Smith
Bill, what will it take for every country to be responsible social and environmental citizens?
June 4, 2008 at 12:54pm by Ana Patricia Ferrey
If you had to work under someone who would you choose?
June 4, 2008 at 1:02pm by Rip Empson
Bill, would you consider blogging for Fast Company? Or...Bill, if you could say one thing to Steve Jobs (a word of advice, perhaps), what would it be?
or: Bill...of all the issues plaguing the world today, what is the issue (or problem) that needs immediate addressing?
June 4, 2008 at 1:10pm by Lindy Wiseman
What's next?
June 4, 2008 at 1:15pm by Salem Honey
Good post Stephen and an interesting dilemna. Sort of like asking someone "what would you do with a million dollars?"
This is a great opportunity to learn something New. I believe so much has been written, interviewed and examined on the history of Microsoft, and subsequently Bill Gates, that looking towards the future would be a fitting bill.
Personally I would ask: What would he see done in his lifetime in a social reform sense? Do you have any ideas for social reform besides your humanitarian efforts in malaria and rehabilitating our schools?
From the standpoint of a power-broker billionaire, what are the issues facing the United States in the next 10 years? Where do you see solutions?
What are your thoughts on the current hedge-fund controversies, oil prices etc.
I feel that many billionaire businessman purposefully stay away politics (disregarding someone as vocal / supportive as George Soros), are you the same way? Or is this more as a way to distance your business from politics to not alienate a consumer group? As the general consumer or citizen has negligent influence, where do you believe the top-tier wealthy group of individuals falls?
Thanks!
-Salem Honey,
Design My Idea
June 4, 2008 at 1:15pm by Stephen L Rose
Wow...These are amazing questions! Please, keep them coming!
Stephen
June 4, 2008 at 1:29pm by Kim Weckstrom
You said in 99' that you would beat Nokia in the mobile game because the future was about software not handset hardware. That was long before Apple become a hard&soft player. What is your mobile software position now?
June 4, 2008 at 1:50pm by Chris Rapp
What do you think of the race for the White House this year? How do you think this will shake down and how will this affect the overall technology industry?
June 4, 2008 at 2:40pm by Rachel King
You and your wife's foundation have done a great deal of work for America's schools. Are you planning to expand your global humanitarian efforts to include similar education programs? Or are there other goals your foundation has to accomplish first?
June 4, 2008 at 3:05pm by Josh VonFeldt
How do you feel about the resurgence of Apple Computers? Do you feel that its a threat to windows, or do you see it as healthy competition?
June 4, 2008 at 3:45pm by Joe Luna
Where are the good Microsoft commercials?
June 4, 2008 at 4:43pm by Syamant Sandhir
Your advise to entrepreneurs in 6 words
June 4, 2008 at 4:54pm by Tim Tymchyshyn
wow all of the standard questions, how about something different
So Bill, about you hiring me now what are my serious chances of working up the ladder and taking your place?
June 4, 2008 at 5:33pm by Calvin Cato
Do you own an Xbox and are you a Halo fan?
June 4, 2008 at 8:52pm by Benjamin Wojcikiewicz
What is your vision for the next new media experience for consumers?
June 5, 2008 at 7:11am by Susan Murphy
If you were to start another software company from scratch, what would you do differently?
June 5, 2008 at 11:05am by Joshua Letourneau
MS continues to invest offshore, in the way of "Microsoft Universities" . . . in an effort to create talent pools willing to either work for lower labor costs or to bring that newly developed talent here on H1-b visa status. At the same time, MS continues to claim a "lack of talent" here in the U.S.
As MS lobbies for more H1-b visa permits claiming a lack of U.S. talent, the company continues to invest in lower cost economies instead of here. As such, there appears to be a vested interest in not further developing talent pools in the U.S. (as the cost of labor is higher).
Do you see this as a contradiction and what are your thoughts on this subject that affects so many Americans?
June 5, 2008 at 11:18am by noble acuff
What do you think will be the most important technology trends in the next 10 years and how will they affect the current business landscape? How would today's entrepreneurs use this knowledge to their advantage to start companies?
June 5, 2008 at 12:55pm by Dan Denney
Microsoft acquires Google. Now, what do you do?
June 5, 2008 at 3:15pm by mohan menon
If consumerism is the major issue behind planetary decline, what would you suggest we do?
June 5, 2008 at 7:17pm by Matthew Dollinger
Name 10 companies that inspire you and what you admire about their brands.
And
I don't feel that Microsoft is a "lovemark" do you? What can you do to move from commodity to consumer with this?
June 8, 2008 at 5:42pm by Paul Griffith
What Question would I ASK BILL GATES ?
I'd say, Bill, how do you think history will treast you ?
June 8, 2008 at 5:42pm by Paul Griffith
What Question would I ASK BILL GATES ?
I'd say, Bill, how do you think history will treat you ?
June 9, 2008 at 10:03am by Michelle Riggen-Ransom
How can more of the brilliant minds who are working to advance technology be encouraged to use their smarts to solve social issues as well?
June 9, 2008 at 1:49pm by Christopher Cordry
Here are a few for you Stephen…
1. What do you see as the biggest threat to the advancement of technology?
It seems like there are so many these days:
* Dependence on infrastructure which can’t scale as fast as users need/want
* Environmental/economic shift issues
* Lawmakers who swing ham fists
* Coexisting with industries that respond to technology as a threat rather than an opportunity.
2. What new technology would you like to see developed in your life time?
3. Has Microsoft R&D done any work in the area of “Nueral” interfacing?
I think most people would like to see the keyboard and mouse go away, someday I think we look back on them and they will look archaic just as the IBM puch card does today!
Other companies such as OCZ have allready demo’d working interfaces, so I know it is possible with today’s tech, Is MS going to be a segment leader in this new field?
4. Are there any other areas you see coming to life in the near future “Interface” wise such as “Eye Tracking” software for the handicapped, that are in the labs now (Either at MS or it’s partners) that are going to be ground breaking or earth shattering?
I know you don’t develop the hardware end, but someone has to make the bridge between hardware and humans!
5. Boxers of Briefs?
June 11, 2008 at 2:26am by Ian Leong
"rich guy, what kind of toothpaste do you use?"??
June 12, 2008 at 11:31am by Erika Schneider
This question is from Robert Mochwart:
Since Bill has be called one of the top 5 most "feared persons on Wall Street" per an Investopedia article, as a result of amassing a huge war chest, what does Bill see as being the ideal investments over the course of the next 1, 3 5 and 10 years? Micorsoft could be an investment bank unto itself - how will they spend the money other than over paying for Yahoo at anything over $30/share
June 20, 2008 at 11:55am by Erika Schneider
Allen Knoll writes:
I believe that I would ask him for 10 people who could work on "Community Transportations System's Packages" that would ultimately help populations around the world. As the book "Bowling Alone" suggests we need to get out of our universally imposed shells and be a community ready to shovel our neighbor out of the snow for a cup of coffee and some chatting.