Norton says one of the biggest challenges for Microsoft is whether it innovate rapidly in the ever-changing environment of the Web, pointing out that Google had an "optimized" version of Gmail available for the iPad almost immediately after Apple released the device last month.
Learning from competitors, clients, and everchanging challenges is the best way to stay ahead of a rapidly changing business environment, and no one benefits more from this osmosis than a salesman.
"If Apple ever released a lower-priced iPhone, that would be more of a sign that the changing market environment is beginning to affect the company, " Mr. Kurahashi said.