The LinkedIn Post (gulp)

I may have mentioned that I’m not a big social media poster. This includes LinkedIn. I posted exactly twice: once after my mom died in 2022 and once upon my departure from Microsoft.

Why not post more often? Well, a couple of reasons.

1. As much as I do not want to admit it, I am somewhat of a perfectionist. (In fact, I found an error in my final email as I was posting it here, and it will haunt me for at least a week.)

2. Perfectionism is time consuming. The first draft is pretty easy. But the proofreading and editing and rewriting and abridging… aaaaaaand now I need a nap.

3. Perfectionism is also riddled with fear: will anyone read it? What will they think of me? What if I have a grammatical error? The horror!

But I put on my big-girl pants, took a deep breath (well, several), and took the plunge. Here’s my second ever LinkedIn post:

Top 10 Things I Learned in 20 Years at Microsoft:

10. Impact can be positive or negative: "Higher impact = higher rewards!" or "She was impacted in the last round of layoffs."

9. Stranded prepositions are completely acceptable (but should they be?): "Where are we *at* on this?"

8. If you don't talk on mute at least once a day, do you even use Teams?

7. Adding enough gradients and icons makes even the most chaotic scenario look strategic.

6. Gremlins are real. And they live in my Outlook calendar.

5. Fluency in a language made entirely of acronyms-- and everyone in the meeting understands.

4. Adding a tiny icon next to a bullet point instantly makes it look 40% more official.

3. One can never have too many Microsoft hoodies.

2. A.I. does not stand for Absolutely Intuitive.

1. Simultaneously managing 4 Teams IMs and a GIF-littered Teams meeting chat while presenting a deck to VPs (on the correct monitor) is a multitasking marvel. But If I'm in the office and the conference room isn't on the invite, I'm paralyzed.

Thanks for all the lessons, Microsoft! I am forever grateful for the people and experiences. Looking forward to switching gears completely and trading Corporate America for the mental health field… after a little R&R, some travel (oblications and vacations), and lots of Tahoe time this summer!

Cheers,

Annie

My final Microsoft email

It’s tradition for Microsoft retirees to send a final email to their coworkers. It’s not traditional to include a PowerPoint littered with pictures of those coworkers. But, hey, I’ve never been one to follow the rules. Here’s the email, but I really just want to share the memories. Note: I did not obtain permission to share any of these photos, so if you object to photos of yourself or others, let me know and I’ll ditch them!

**********************************************************************************

Hi! As many of you may know, I’m taking advantage of the VRP and my last day with Microsoft will be Thursday, June 25^th. It’s impossible to capture everything, but as I peruse my SkyDrive camera roll, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the people I’ve met who have taught me how to navigate life in Corporate America and the experiences I’ve been fortunate enough to have, both inside and outside the conference room. A massive thank you to everyone! Feel free to skip to my contact info so we can stay in touch. 😊

TL;DR:

Work is work. But here are some highlights of the fun stuff in my last ever Microsoft PowerPoint deck… you might see some familiar faces!

Then there’s the merch! I have fully embraced Microsoft technology over the years, and still have all of it somewhere:

• Variety of Zunes (and their super cool skins) – I still have three, including one arm band for running (as if…).

• Original Surface – we were lucky enough to have two, while David and both worked here. Eventually, we gave them to the kids, which was a lifesaver on long flights.

• Windows phone – if only we had apps! Still the best layout and functionality of its time.

• Microsoft band – (sigh)

• Xbox 360, Xbox ONE, Xbox ONE S, Xbox ONE X… we have a collection. Don’t ask me about my favorite game; I don’t play.

After nearly 20 years, my Microsoft blood still runs thick; I just bought myself my own Surface laptop. I’ll continue to wear all 14 of my Microsoft sweatshirts and 10 t-shirts with pride (plus, they’re all really comfortable). However, the thousands of white board screenshots? I can clear up some serious OneDrive space.

What’s next?

After a bit of R&R, a couple of oblications, and other short trips, I’m applying for a Master’s in Social Work program with the intention of becoming a grief therapist. I also plan to obtain my death doula certification. I’m hoping to learn how to listen and support others through their most challenging of times. I also have plans to learn more about investments (need to cover that pay gap), write a couple of novels, and remodel our kitchen (anyone have a sledgehammer?). And solve world peace.

I will forever write in bullets and think in flowcharts. Cheers to the memories, the lifelong friendships, and myriad lessons learned.

Contact me:

Here’s my personal info (please don’t sell it… or if you do, please cut me in):

• Mobile/WhatsApp: 775.220.3549

• Email: annie.neudorfer@hotmail.com

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/annieneudorfer

• Instagram: aneudorfer

• Facebook (retiring = I’m old): Annie Briggs Neudorfer

• Myspace: probably aneudorfer

• AOL Chat Rooms: April1575 (pretty sure this is no longer a thing…)

All the best,

Annie

**********************************************************************************

As the saying goes, “That’s all she wrote.” Until my LinkedIn post, that is…

A new chapter

 

How I got here

When Microsoft offered the Voluntary Retirement Package (VRP), I was all in. Not because I was done working, but because I always said that when Microsoft was done with me, I’d do something meaningful (hold your horses; this blog isn’t that). The VRP was just the nudge I needed. While I’m figuring out that next chapter, I thought I’d bring others along for the ride. Whether you’re in a similar situation, you’re a supportive friend of mine, or you’re just in need of reading mindless ramblings between meetings, this might be for you.

Before Copilot and I broke up (stay tuned for that story), it suggested Substack as a platform. As you can see, Substack didn't work out for me. It’s my first time blogging and I’m not a big social media poster, so I’d love any feedback from folks throughout this journey. That said, here goes nothing…