Windows 7

Not only is Microsoft taking some cues from Apple for its retail stores, but it’s also trying to poach store managers, with the promise of higher pay (according to The Loop). Microsoft is even offering to pay for the moving expenses if required, and the software giant also wants top sales agents, informing “moved” managers that they are also interested in those employees as well, and that they will have the same bonuses.

It’s not a bad move (just interesting) considering the success of the Apple Stores (let’s face it, we all know that Microsoft is just trying to imitate the Apple Store). Whether it will be a failure or a complete success remains to be seen, although the latter is probably the safer option considering that Microsoft is building off of an already successful base (who said that you can’t learn from your enemies?).

Besides, Microsoft acquired George Blankenship as an “independent consultant” not too long ago, the former head of Apple Store placement in order to help decide where to place the retail stores for Microsoft (right next to most Apple Stores). It would be nice if there were any Microsoft/Apple stores within three hours of me.

So if you’re one of those lucky Apple Store employees and you’re interested in a job at Microsoft, sit tight and hope that those extra hours paid off. If not, you can always apply via the Microsoft Careers page (or you can do it anyways, even if you’re not an Apple Store employee).

What will be really interesting is to see how Apple and the fanboys respond to these developments. What do you think?