Microsoft Corp. is offering workshops in 14 U.S. cities to teach minority business owners about technology in a strategy aimed at building goodwill and new customers. Some, however, are criticizing the timing of the new program, which comes shortly after Microsoft was hit was a class-action lawsuit alleging discrimination. Orlando Ayala, Microsoft's group vice president for worldwide sales, marketing and services, said part of the reason for the program is to get new business. But, he added, ``We're not going to go in just to make a marketing pitch or a sales pitch.''
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