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Memorandum
To: Managers and Colleagues
From: Lauren Farmer
Date: May 27, 2016
Subject: Collaboration with Microsoft
Introduction
Before beginning a collaborative project with Microsoft it is necessary for our company to make sure they
are a healthy corporation that is a climber as well as a winner. This will evaluate several different
components of Microsoft. Knowing what kind of a company they are is very important to us to
consider. It will show they are a winning company and a good fit for a collaborative project with us
here at our company.
This will also include how they fit into the 4+2 success formula. Microsoft uses the four primary
management practices that are fundamental for their success. These are strategy, execution, culture,
and structure. They have shown that they have strong skills in innovation and leadership as well. All
of these are good reasons as why you should consider us working together with them.
There will also be research of Microsoft’s financial health. Microsoft is growing every year
financially. They continue to grow and be successful in their business strategy year after year.
Microsoft’s communication style is also another important factor in whether or not we should
collaborate with them. Their communications appear to be congruent to who they say they are. I
hope that this provides good reasons as why we would be a good fit to collaborate with them.
Success Formula
There are several business management practices that must be mastered to ultimately be successful.
Microsoft does a good job applying many of these, but there are six in particular that have helped
them become a successful, climbing and winning company. Microsoft’s most successful primary
management practice, in my opinion, is there execution followed by their strategy, culture, structure,
innovation, and leadership.
Microsoft demonstrates their success in their execution strategies in several important ways. They
are focused on going above and beyond what their customer’s expect. They are always using new
types of technology and other sources to create and delivery new top of the line products and
services. One of their most recent examples would be the new Windows 10 and their developments
with the Xbox services. They are showing that they execute their plans and goals well by continuing
to grow and expand.
There strategy is another management practice that has helped them become successful. There
growth as a company is one of their primary focuses. There strategy is to be focused on their
customers needs and wants, as well as being diverse. They have also strategized ways to bring the
best to their customers in ways such as accessibility and usability of their products and services.
Microsoft has also demonstrated that they know that having a strong culture is important to their
business. They have strong leaders that help them achieve this strong culture. "Great leaders inspire.
They pull in talented and high-performing staffers. But behind each powerful leader you'll find
something equally powerful: a company culture that motivates people to work hard and stay with the
business" (Microsoft.com). In their company culture they value and seek out differences as well as
diverse perspectives.
There company structure is another business practice that they are mastering well. Their goal is to
make there company one that you want to for as well as with. They concentrate on their employee’s
wants and needs as well as listen to their ideas as well as complaints. They are focused on their
process and procedures and making them as simple as possible for their employees as well as
customers. They have built and maintained a structured, fast growing, and innovative company.
Innovation is another business practice in which they are successful in at Microsoft. They are open to
taking risk and moving quickly, they know that sometimes it takes failing to become successful and
grow. They have a dedicated technology department and team that do nothing but focus on new
innovative products and services to offer their customers. They have become the industry leader in
accessibility innovation as well as the top in creating new products and services that are easy to use
and safe. To stay on top they have to continue to be innovative and on top of there game.
Lastly they have strong leadership in their company. They have leaders that are focused on their
employees and what motivates people to come work for them. They are concentrated on
understanding their employees and colleagues. They have selected qualified leaders that constantly
training as well as providing their staff with support and the latest technology to succeed.
There are many other things that have helped shape Microsoft into a success company but these are
some of the top business practices that have helped them get there. I think that all of these practices
are things that would be beneficial to our company when and if we decided to collaborate with them
on this project.
Microsoft’s 4+2 Successful Business Practices
Business Practice
What they are doing
1. Execution
-They are constantly developing and delivering
products as well as services that exceed their
customers’ expectations.
-Consistently increasing their productivity, with
things such as new technology.
2. Strategy
- They are focused on growth.
-There strategy involves being customer-
obsessed, diverse, and inclusive.
- To be as one, focused on a single mission to
bring the best to customers.
-Accessibility and usability is a focus
3. Culture
-Microsoft knows that to have a strong culture
they need strong leaders.
-They are avid about helping their customers get
