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Microsoft's Worst Enemy: Success | |
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| Time: 08:51 EST/13:51 GMT | News Source: Business Week Online | Posted By: Brian Kvalheim | ||
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The memo that Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer recently sent to the company's 57,000 employees was clearly designed to rally the troops -- to get them excited about their jobs and Microsoft's (MSFT ) future. But what comes through loudest and clearest in the 4,900-word e-mail is quite a different message: This is no longer the vital, nimble, fast-growing Microsoft of yore. Microsoft is stuck in a full-blown midlife crisis. The 24-year-old company is now a sprawling organization with dozens of businesses, modest revenue growth, and a flat stock price. Instead of being driven to change the world -- the mission its best employees signed up for -- a key focus now for Ballmer is "process excellence," which seems unlikely to inspire Microsoftees to stay up all night creating the Next Big Thing. | ||
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| #1 By 7754 (216.160.8.41) at 7/8/2004 11:41:56 AM |
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Funny... no one comments anymore... so I guess material incentives do drive people to work, rather than the love of it?
Anyhow, this article makes some good points. By virtue of the dynamics of our economy, a company can only really "grow" so large, yet as a corporation they are essentially under an obligation to do so. At some point, the only resort for them is to look to other markets, whether that means new products or new markets for their existing products. Microsoft still has a lot of room to grow worldwide with their existing products, but really only as the as computer market grows worldwide, as the article states. Even though they aren't so fond of Linux (and I think for good reason with regards to the common, rather self-destructive obsession with "free" (beer) software), I think they also love it--it gives them a reason to "stay up all night." King of the hill is a fun game when you're going up the hill, and the game doesn't end when you become king... as long as others keep going up after you. |
| #2 By 23275 (68.17.42.38) at 7/9/2004 12:16:21 AM |
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Oh my...
I do not subscribe to this. I sense that Microsoft's sense of itself and vision are clearer to the company than they have ever been. I think this is reflected in their product road maps and current development. I also think they are more thoughtful than most assume, and that is what is behind their leadership's recent observations about the company. To assume that Microsoft is in some form of mid-life crisis, is to assume that the company, its leaders and people assume that what can be done with and in software and technology in general is in some way limited, or has peaked. That is not consistent with even basic human nature, much less Microsoft. Humans always seek to improve and explore - no where is this more true than in technology - that by definition is that which enhances either human performance or the human condition. Does anyone seriously think that Microsoft is ever satisfied with what exists? |
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