Microsoft Business Strategy - Case Study Example

Business strategy R&D – Chuck As part of a means to gaining a competitive advantage over its competitors, Microsoft is committed to spending more time and energy on R&D. The company is influenced by a plethora of objectives in injecting more time and money to R&D. Specifically, the company has identified different strategies, policies, and programs that are fit to putting the company at a competitive advantage. The future face of recognition is a project earmarked to developing algorithms and techniques for recognition of automated. In this project, the topics include pose estimation, tracking, detection, alignments as well as face recognition. Additionally, Microsoft has launched a program of developing tools of advancing productivity (Hachman 20). The objectives of these tools include improving the development, design, and debugging as well as testing software. An ambitious project of bringing graphics to life is aimed at creating pictures in real time and that look real to the natural environment. The R&D of Microsoft seems to be consistent with the core foundation and aims of the company to remain as the world’s leading software company provider. Technology has become a key component to the performance of Microsoft. Technology is defined as the making and usage of tools, systems, crafts, and techniques in order to solve a given problem. Through technology, the performance of a corporate can be measured by using various tools and devices. For instance, a decision support system is useful in collecting data from various internal sources such as data ware houses, databases, and data marts to model possible characteristics. Additionally, technology has enabled the formation of tools that enhances Microsoft to plan effectively in terms of resources (Hachman 21). An enterprise resources system in particular, is effective in helping corporate managers to have a consolidated view of all is taking place in their organizations. As part of the mission and strategy of Microsoft, the mix of basic, applied, and engineering research proves to a resourceful model. Basic research has become the foundation upon which Microsoft has based its decisions on what to do next. Consistent with bring a valuable technology to its customers; the company has consistently utilized applied research in order to prove the efficacy of its invention. On the other hand, engineering research has become valuable in inventing some of the latest technologies that have put Microsoft ahead of other companies in the market. Competitive advantage of a company is gained through a myriad of strategies, and R&D is one of such strategies. Through R&D activities, Microsoft is able to carry out scientific and technical research in developing existing or new products, services or processes. By investing heavily on research activities, Microsoft places itself on a better position to producing new and unique solutions to its customers, thus defeating any competition from potential competitors. It is through research that a company innovates and creates its unique processes and features that attract customers to sticking with the services of the company. Through this strategy of R&D, a Microsoft has gained total control of its customers and ward off any competition from customers. Because of different policies in various countries where Microsoft operates, it always has to adapt its strategies for R&D to run its activities without any friction. Environmental sustainability is another factor that Microsoft takes into account wherever it launches its activities on R&D. Typically, the role of a R&D manager to strategic management is to engage in and support innovation of products in a manner that drives, rather than in a way that dissipates. Operations and Logistics - Chuck Microsoft is committed to manufacturing solutions to meet requirements for effective performance. Further, the company is motivated to manufacture solutions that will enhance the production and tools that are compliant to the standards of quality improvement. Most of the strategies, objectives and policies to manufacturing are consistent the primary principles of Microsoft that require continuous improvement of production as well as placing the company higher above the rest in the market (Bajarin 44). Microsoft has installed centers in various countries to help it operate in an effective way. Centers such customer contact centers, information processing, credit and collections, logistics, and vender management have all been effectively been installed in other regions to ease the operation of activities of the company. Internationally, Microsoft has adopted a strategy of localizing most of its products to reflect local conventions and local languages. This has been as a successful strategy to helping Microsoft serve the requirements of its customers are around the world, and as well as to help improve the quality and the usability of its products. Microsoft operates in a smooth and efficient manner that takes into account different needs in different countries. This strategy has enabled Microsoft sell most of its products in a competitive way, making the company fetch high profits than its competitors. The main operation of Microsoft is based on five segments that include server and tools, window &windows live division, entertainment and devices division, and Microsoft business division. These segments form the basis upon which Microsoft basis its comprehensive view of finances to its key businesses. Further these segments are an incentive to the alignment of objectives and strategies across the sales, developments, and marketing, sales, and services organizations. In comparison to its competitors, Microsoft has always led in the software market because of the prudent way of its operations and logistics. Though there is stead competition from companies like apple, Microsoft still remains to be the company to beat courtesy of its noble management. Environmental sustainability has been at the center of Microsoft sustainability over the years it has been operating its business over different countries. They always manufacture products that take into account the conservation and sustainability of the environment. To ensuring that the process of operations has been successful, the operations manager at Microsoft is responsible of supporting the overall strategy of the company. In addition, the operations manager is responsible for achieving parity with the pace at which competitors are moving. Human Resources Management - Chuck Human resource management is a core component to the organization of Microsoft, and its operations. This component is what shapes the culture and the way things are done at this corporation. The values of this department are built upon the principles of developing a kind of culture that come to characteristic of Microsoft. The important thing with Microsoft, it has allowed each human resource department to come up with its own values but are complimentary to the overall mission, objective of the company. This strategy has performed well in regards to motivating employees to work hard. Microsoft is structured in a way that it regards the department of human resource as a link between the management of performance and departmental values and aims. While some competitors might be having better technologies, Microsoft can base its success on the efficiency of the human resource management and workers in general. Clearly, Microsoft human resource values their employees and acknowledges their importance. The success of this company is mainly attributed to the stability provided by the workers. The main objective of the human resource in Microsoft has been to recruit, retain and employ an effectively skilled and motivated workforce. With over 93,000 employees, the Microsoft human resource department has managed to control this large group without any iota case of an industrial case. Under the human resource management, there is a group known as departmental heads that charged with the responsibility of controlling their respective projects portfolio. To enhance further efficiency, the human resource department at Microsoft has split the amount of projects a certain category can handle. Additionally, these centers are essential in evaluating and proposing and tracking plans. The department of human resource at Microsoft continuously strives to enhance the management of portfolio. Consistent with the principle of managing scheme, the primary objective of this program is to build proper processes. The company utilized its chances and prepared and defined their processes (Kramer 22). While doing this, they decided not to include the software until all members agreed to it. As part of the benefits to the company, the human resource department has so far utilized the 2010 project server in gathering, evaluating and comparing projects in an efficient way. Additionally, this tool has enabled the company to compile its task portfolio from over 200 to over 25, thus leading to greater accountability, collaboration, and transparency. Because of the adoption of the 2010 server that is user friendly, the human resource department at Microsoft has been able to effectively gather information regarding the proposed projects. In terms of diversity, the human resource department has guaranteed each and every employ equal rights without any form of discrimination. Employment opportunities at the company are based on merit, but not on racial grounds. All employees at Microsoft are expected to conduct themselves within a code of conduct set by the company. Just like other companies, Microsoft has consistently been involved in outsourcing of roles from outside companies. This strategy has helped the company save extra charges of hiring more employees, to use for other useful activities (Kramer 23). The manger in the department of human resource is the overall person in charge of the smooth running of activities within the department. The manager is responsible for the implementation of the strategic plan of the company. Information Technology- Chuck Microsoft is committed to providing its services by utilizing the most technological inventions. The reason behind this is to increase the level of openness of its products as well driving greater opportunity for developers, customers and partners. These objectives have been part of the long-standing mission of the company’s general goal (Cusumano 33). Microsoft utilizes up to date technology to link the various organs of the company so as to shorten the distance that exists amongst these organs. Additionally, the company has been committed to launching newer technologies that are meant to ensure that there is data portability, open connection, promoting industry standards and enhancing more engagement with its customers. As a result of these new innovations, Microsoft has been able to run its activities in an effective way. The company has effectively placed itself at a greater position to go head to head with its competitors in terms of technological supremacy. Comparatively, Microsoft has managed to outdo all of its competitors when it comes to superior technology. Various survey sources have always indicated that Microsoft is the leading company that provides software technology. This milestone has been achieved through the relentless improvement of the technological development in the company. Specifically, Microsoft has been able to achieve this by embracing constant research and innovation of new technologies in the company. Further, Microsoft has been at the forefront recruiting some of the finest personnel into its working force. The IT manager is responsible for the overall implementation of technology in the company. The IT manger ensures that all about technology is going well, and if there is something that ought to be upgraded, he or she has the responsibility to delegate duty. Summary of Internal Factors Microsoft Corporation has found its name among the giant companies of this world because of various strengths. Various attributes of this company are effectively considered as core competencies and which have made Microsoft a company it is today. Some of the core competencies of Microsoft include developing software such as office and windows, and enterprise services such cloud computing that enable individuals to gain productivity when engaging others in their work (Microsoft Corporation SWOT Analysis 8). Nevertheless, instead for Microsoft to stick to its major area of competence, it decided to abandon it and venture into competing with other companies such as Google and apple. This is the major weakness that the company has had in as far as competitive advantage is concerned. Work Cited Bajarin, Tim. "The Real Difference Between Microsoft And Apple." PC Magazine (2014): 44- 46. Cusumano, Michael A. "Technology Strategy And Management: The Legacy Of Steve Ballmer." Communications Of The ACM 57.1 (2014): 30-32. Hachman, Mark. "Microsofts Surface Strategy: Flatten The PC." PC World 31.12 (2013): 18-22. Kramer, Laura. "Microsoft Finance & THE JOURNEY TO DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION." Financial Executive 30.4 (2014): 18-23. "Microsoft Corporation SWOT Analysis." Microsoft Corporation SWOT Analysis (2015): 1-10. Read More