Microsoft

.Microsoft.

Founded in 1975 by Paul Allen and Bill Gates, Microsoft Corporation is one of the largest and most influential companies in the personal computer industry. Microsoft has a strong presence in almost every area of computer software, from programming tools to end-user applications.

Since the 1990s, it has increasingly diversified from the operating system market and as made a number of corporate acquisitions. Microsoft also acquired Skype Technologies for $8.5 billion in its largest acquisition to date.

Microsoft used monopolistic business practices and anti-competitive strategies including refusal to deal and tying, put unreasonable restrictions in the use of its software, and used misrepresentatives marketing tactics.

Microsoft 5 Years Stock

Over time, new competitors have arisen, pundits have predicted Microsoft's demise and through it all, the company has prospered.

One thing that is striking about this chart is that almost none of the early leaders are around any more. Even the champions of the PC era, such as Compaq and Dell have faltered. In their heyday, many of these companies seemed unbeatable. the story in software is similar. Lotus, Borland, Novell and a host of others are either gone broke or suffered steep declines.

Then, Microsoft, which after a full decade of supposed decline still puts up impressive numbers, including 35% operating margins and more than $20 billion in annual earnings. its cash hoard, while nothing like Apple's stash, is an impressive $60 billion even after maintaining a massive $9 billion annual R&D program.

Microsoft's secret is that it has never made any major blunders. Its management might have missed a few twists and turns, but was always able to recover. All of their former competitors, through a combination of hubris and poor judgement, bet the company and lost.

Avoid Vendettas:

The one mistake that ever threatened Microsoft's existence was the arrogant handling of its antitrust suit, which stemmed from its rivalry with netscape, clearly distracted senior management and helped lead to the company's relative decline.

References:

Business Insider. 2013. How Microsoft Became MICROSOFT. [online] Available at: http://www.businessinsider.com/how-did-microsoft-become-microsoft-2010-9 [Accessed: 27 Sep 2013].

How does Gates motivate his employees?

How does Bill Gates motivate his employees?

1. Failure Teaches Resiliency:

"It's fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure." - Bill Gates.

Employee deserves recognition for great work, but mistakes should be recognized, and when an employee or co-worker makes a mistake. it may be a small failure, but it must also be acknowledged, not swept under the rug, so it can be turned into a gain. Microsoft has made countless mistakes. They've put out software that wasn't ready or that was fragile against hackers, but they learn from their mistakes and do their best to make the software better.

2. Understand Your Ego:

"Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose." - Bill Gates.

Take a look at how you might be coasting. Some bands make a whole career out of just one hit. One hit wonders. They think that they can just ride out the wave and not come up with anything else new. If you want to separate from the pack and become the success that your mother had hoped for, then stop believing your own hype and keep those ideas coming.

3. Unhappy Customers Help You Improve:

"Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning."  - Bill Gates.

The customers that don’t complain are ones that don’t care enough about the company to come back and buy again. They will just take their money to someone else that listens.

4. Treat Everyone With Respect:

"Be nice to nerds. Chances are you’ll end up working for one." - Bill Gates.

Be nice to nerds, your secretary, the supervisor in the next building, and the co-worker that just doesn’t know when to shut-up. Whoever you are dealing with, they could one day become your superior. If you were a jerk to them, they won’t do you any favours when you need them the most.

5. Step Back And Look At The Bigger Picture:

"Until we’re educating every kid in a fantastic way, until every inner city is cleaned up, there is no shortage of things to do." - Bill Gates.

Work is great, especially when we have a good year and the boss loves our production, but work in itself shouldn't be our whole lives. Bill Gates understands that he may be the richest man in the world, but if he doesn't help others lift themselves out of tough circumstances, he hasn't lived to his full potential. We need to give back to the people that are less fortunate than us. 

References:

Sourcesofinsight.com. 2013. Lessons Learned from Bill Gates : Sources of Insight. [online] Available at: http://sourcesofinsight.com/lessons-learned-from-bill-gates/ [Accessed: 27 Sep 2013].

Which leader?

Which leader am I choosing?

Leader : William Henry "Bill" Gates, the third. 
Background:
Bill Gates is an American business magnate, investor, programmer, inventor and philanthropist. Gates is the former chief executive and current chairman of Microsoft, the world's largest personal-computer software company, which he co-founded with Paul Allen.
Bill Gates is consistently ranked in the Forbes list of the world's wealthiest people and was the wealthiest overall from 1995 to 2009, excluding 2008, when he was ranked third; in 2011 he was the wealthiest American and the world's second wealthiest person. Bill Gates is not the wealthiest person any more as he was beaten by a Mexican.

William Henry "Bill" Gates, Strengths and Weaknesses:
Strengths:

• Expert Knowledge - Bill Gates is regarded by his followers as an expert.
• Power & Influence - Gates is influenced by his strong willed mother, and emotionally intelligent father, Bill Gates utilized his distinctive personality to influence business agenda.
• Charismatic - Regards to truly wanting to help developing countries.
• Social Network - With Warren Buffet and Mark Zuckerberg, ability to communicate amongst peers with similar power and influence and generate ideas that are not overly similar but: rather gives him the ability to think outside of the box.
• Socialized power - In Philanthropy, it is for the good of the organization, opposite of personalized power.

Weaknesses:

• One of a kind, dominance - Being a billionaire is rare which can make it complicated for followers to relate.
• Past Managerial reputation as results driven leader - Gates management position at Microsoft is sometimes questionable due to his communication style and results driven reputation.
• Avoidance in conflict resolution.

Opportunities:

• Philanthropy - Developing others.
• Business ventures in the health industry.
• Image and trust building through the media and other networks.

Threats:

• Billionaire - Billionaires are rare around the globe but with so much power brings his leadership style in the limelight. Even the slightest imperfectly conveyed utter of words may cause critics to rise.
• Improper use of donations - Donating to trustworthy candidates is the key.
• Business negotiations ultimately straying away from Philanthropy.
• Government regulations that hinder the positive influence of Philanthropy.

What is Leadership?

What is Leadership?

"Leadership is the art of leading others to deliberately create a result that wouldn't have happened otherwise." - Unknown

• A leader can be the CEO of an organization, or a first year employee who leads his or her team to success. A leader might lead through official authority and power, yet just as often great leaders lead through inspiration, persuasion and personal connections.

Leadership is described as a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in accomplishment of common task. Leadership is organizing a group of people to achieve a common goal. The leader may or may not have any formal authority, but studies of leadership have produced theories involving traits, situational interaction, function, behaviour, power, vision and values, and intelligence.

Types of Leadership

Autocratic:

Autocratic leadership, also known as authoritarian leadership, is a leadership style characterized by individual control. Autocratic leaders typically make choices based on their own ideas and judgements and rarely accept advice from followers. Autocratic leadership can be beneficial in some instances, such as when decisions need to be made quickly without consulting with a large group of people. The downsides of a Autocratic leadership style are often viewed as bossy, controlling, and dictatorial which can lead to resentment among group members.

Characteristics of Autocratic Leadership:

• Little or no input from group members.
• Leaders make the decisions.
• Group leaders dictate all the work methods and processes.
• Group members are rarely trusted with decisions or important tasks.

Democratic:
Democratic leadership, also known as participative leadership, it is a type of leadership style in which members of the group take a more participative role in the decision making process. Democratic  leadership is the most effective and a lead to higher productivity, better contributions from group members, and increased group morale. Benefits of Democratic  leaderships, because group members are encouraged to share their thoughts, Democratic  leadership can lead to better ideas and more creative solutions to problems. Democratic leadership has also its downsides, where in situations, where roles are unclear or time is of the essence, Democratic  leadership can lead to communication failures and uncompleted projects.
Characteristics of Democratic Leadership:

• Group members are encouraged to share ideas and opinions, even though the leader retains the final say over decisions.
• Members of the group feel more engaged in the process.
• Creativity is encouraged and rewarded.

Bureaucratic:

Bureaucratic leadership skills are necessary when working on a group project for a science class. Precision key in a science project, and meticulous notes are essential. A natural Bureaucratic leader will tend to create detailed instructions for other members of a group. This type of leader would also be very successful working in student government roles.

Laissez-Faire:
Laissez-Faire leadership, is a type of leadership style in which leaders are hands-off and allow group members to make the decisions. Benefits of Laissez-Faire  leadership can be effective in situations where group members are highly skilled, motivated and capable of working on their own. The downsides of Laissez-Faire leadership is not ideal in situations where group members lack the knowledge or experience they need to complete tasks and make decisions.
Characteristics of Laissez-Faire Leadership:

• Very little guidance from leaders.
• Complete freedom for followers to make decisions.
• Leaders provide the tools and resources needed.
• Group members are expected to solve problems on their own.

Business is less about management and more about leadership. To what extent is this statement true?

Leadership is really important for businesses. If a business focuses more onto management rather than leadership, it will have it's very own downsides and benefits. If business companies/organisations were to focus and abide strict management rules, the negative effects will overcome the positive effects instead. Business are to have a balance between management and leadership to have stable, highly motivated and committed employees.

References:
Sourcesofinsight.com. 2013. Lessons Learned from Bill Gates : Sources of Insight. [online] Available at: http://sourcesofinsight.com/lessons-learned-from-bill-gates/ [Accessed: 27 Sep 2013].
Vectorstudy.com. 2013. Types of Leadership. [online] Available at: http://vectorstudy.com/management-topics/types-of-leadership [Accessed: 27 Sep 2013].

Ask.com. 2013. Bureaucratic Leadership?. [online] Available at: http://www.ask.com/question/bureaucratic-leadership [Accessed: 27 Sep 2013].