“ByDesign”: Rediscovering the Microsoft Years

“ByDesign”: Rediscovering the Microsoft Years, One Memory at a Time

Fifteen years after I left Microsoft, I finally opened the box.

It had been sitting quietly among other storage containers, almost forgotten — a time capsule filled with fragments of a career that spanned nearly two decades. But when I finally lifted the lid, I was instantly pulled back into a world that shaped not only my professional path but also the way I see leadership, innovation, and teamwork.

Inside the box were old photos, printed emails, and memorabilia I had collected throughout my 20-year journey at Microsoft. What I didn’t expect was how emotional and vivid those memories would feel.

The first gem I stumbled upon was an original copy of Micronews, our internal employee newsletter. In it, there was a hiring announcement — one among many I used to skim through without much thought. But this time, it felt personal. I saw names of people who became lifelong friends, mentors, and teammates. People who helped build some of the most impactful tech in the region.

Then came a handful of printed emails from one of our Company Meetings, shortly after we demoed Microsoft Word in Arabic. Among those messages was a note of recognition from none other than Bill Gates, praising the exceptional work done by the Middle East Product Development Group, led by my dear friend and former boss, Alex Morcos (or as everyone knew him, AlexMo).

(Back then, your alias was your identity. I was known as AndyAb, and seeing that signature again made me smile.)

But the true treasure buried at the bottom of the box? My “Ship It” Award.

For anyone who’s been through a product cycle at Microsoft, you know what that award represents. Long nights triaging bugs. Stressful final weeks pushing to RTM. The thrill of finally getting the product sticker and saying, “We did it.” And yes — the countless bugs closed with the magic phrase: “ByDesign.” 😁

Finding that award was more than just a nostalgic moment. It reminded me of a time when teamwork, resilience, and craftsmanship defined our culture. It reminded me of the pride we felt not just in the products we shipped, but in the journey it took to get there.

Today, leading my own company and working with younger generations, I carry those lessons with me. The value of grit. The necessity of clarity. The importance of recognizing even the smallest contributions.

To my Microsoft family, especially the Middle East team, thank you for the memories. And to anyone who’s ever closed a bug “ByDesign,” I see you. And I salute you.

– AndyAb