Sales chief no longer sees Microsoft as 'death star'

Seattle PI | at | by Mike

A year ago last week, Microsoft hired Silicon Valley veteran Robert Youngjohns to head up its sales and marketing in North America.

Youngjohns, who joined Microsoft from San Jose-based Callidus Software, where he was CEO, is now tasked with leading Microsoft's 8,500-person sales force in the midst of a historic economic downturn.

Recently, Microsoft took an aggressive move to boost sales of its Dynamics software for businesses, offering zero percent financing on some purchases.