SWOT on "Microsoft Using the First Three Steps of the SWOT Analysis"

SWOT 10 pages (2870 words) Sources: 5

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Microsoft, using the first three steps of the SWOT analysis

Microsoft's futuristic vision and strategy

Microsoft as a company is one of the greatest examples of extraordinary commercial success and astounding business growth and owes its success to a lot of factors. Microsoft's products such as Windows and MS Office continue to be the benchmark for other such software globally and provide the company with the backup they need to innovate and take risks for other upcoming projects (Microsoft, 2010).

However, what drives a company to success and recognition constitutes a combination of various aspects. The vision, strategy and the various objectives a company aims to achieve are broadly some of the most important things that decide the courses of action and direction a company is going to adopt for itself (Wheatley, 2005). The vision and policies of Microsoft revolve around the concepts of diversity and inclusion that are instrumental elements responsible for the company's success (Microsoft, 2010).

Microsoft, as a company with a great foresight, is aware that modern times dictate the need for a corporate culture that is inclusive and not discriminatory so that the employees, probably the biggest asset of any business can thrive, adapt and acquire new skills, practices and expertise to cater to the demands of customers around the world. The company realizes that the combination of various cultures, notions and viewpoints cumulatively form to be one of the greatest assets any organization could have and helps to foster more inventiveness and creativity which is vital for any organization in today's time if it aims to outlast its competitors (Microsoft, 2010).

Microsoft is still in a phase that depicts growth and it is familiar with the fact that in order to succeed and move forward, it needs to tap into the creative skills and energies of employees that belong to diverse cultural backgrounds and are trained. The company aims to promote higher standards of diversity in the labor force by collaborating with their international partners that range from educational entities, professional institutions to national marketing and advocacy units who offer various scholarships and programs targeted at the youth that aim to advance technological and scientific studies and facilitates the employees in working alongside the senior professional who are employed in a leadership capacity so that inclusive best practices and diversity becomes inculcated in the corporate culture of the organization. Fostering diversity and inclusion helps create a strong base for promoting an interactive and motivated taskforce whose goals are aligned with that of Microsoft's goals (Microsoft, 2010).

Workforce inclusiveness and marketplace diversification

The fact that United States and the various markets worldwide reflect a huge amount of value in the corporate environment and the market place is deeply appreciated by Microsoft. The increase in the diverse inhabitants globally and the budding power of these sections make them hugely sought after by their potential employees who consider them integral targets. It is predicted that by 2050, women and people of color will form almost 90% of the workforce entering the market (Microsoft, 2010).

Even more so, countries like China, India, Africa and Brazil that are emerging nations will be an ever increasing part of the world populace. It is estimated that the population of the aforementioned countries will total almost 90% of the total population by the year 2050 and would have increased exponentially since 1950 (Microsoft, 2010).

Financially, the increasingly diverse marketplaces depict a high level of consumerism and purchasing power. For Microsoft, they are a vital consumer unit. Globally, diverse people around the world amount to almost 50% of the total Gross Domestic Product of the world. Even within the United States the stated people are responsible for creating over $9 trillion dollars' worth of purchasing power in the country. Microsoft, by increasing the number of diverse people in their task force aims to cater to the needs of the increasingly diverse population worldwide so that it helps to foster the innovation that is so needed to meet the dynamic and ever changing demands of the global consumers (Microsoft, 2010).

Support for diversification and inclusion throughout the company

In order to foster an environment in the organization that welcomes diversity and inclusion in the corporate culture, it is essential that the acceptance for such values be inculcated from the grass roots within the company and linked to the daily workings of the company. Microsoft, for this reason, does not treat the concept of encouraging diversity separately but endeavors to integrate it in all the company initiatives so as to achieve an organization wide impact (Microsoft, 2010).

Enforcing whole-hearted commitment from the CEO

According to Microsoft, one lasting business notion that is connected to the present and forthcoming success of the company is global diversity and inclusion. It states that by making technology available and accessible, the company is endeavoring to assist all individuals recognize their capabilities and reach self-fulfillment. This strategy of Microsoft implies that diversity and inclusion are just written terms but form the main underlying business principle they are working with in their organization. The company encourages diversity at every possible step within the organization and integrates inclusion with business initiative. All of this because Microsoft believes in recruiting people that come from a diverse background so that the end users of their product who are becoming increasingly diverse as well can be benefitted and so that the company can attain a competitive edge over its competitors (Microsoft, 2010).

Mission Statement

Microsoft aims to be the world's top most provider of innovative technology solutions that assist to recognize their full capabilities of its diverse customers base and global partners (Microsoft, 2010).

Vision Statement

Microsoft states that it aims to be focused and targeted on a globally diverse taskforce that diligently provides extraordinary business outcomes, knows and empathizes with the different cultural needs of a global market, is committed and avid about technology and the potential it has to realize human potential and prospers in a business environment where inclusion plays an integral part (Microsoft, 2010).

Major strategies for growth and development

The GD&I strategy of Microsoft is an important connection to their business concerns. The main elements of their global diversity and inclusion strategy are as follows (Microsoft, 2010):

Accurate, reliable and applicable representation

The company emphasizes on developing their own employee pipeline that takes initiatives alongside dynamically hiring and appointing the world's highest talent from all units within the global society. Microsoft attains diversity in recruiting by maintaining strong linkages with academic institutions and professional entities. Organizations like the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, Society of Women Engineers, National Black MBAs, the American Indian Science and Engineer Society, the American Association of People with Disabilities, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network and etc. are all types of organizations the company continually interacts with and forms linkages (Microsoft, 2010).

Moreover, Microsoft also provides various programs that offer students who are in grades like K-12 with various opportunities and occasions to work together and network with modern technology and discover and understand about the various careers in the industry of science and technology. One example of the aforementioned programs is the global Microsoft DigiGirlz that offers girls in high school with chance to acquire knowledge about various careers in the field of technology, to interact with the employees of the company about their outlook and experiences and avail practice computer related and technological workshops (Microsoft, 2010).

Microsoft's inclusive practices

The company realizes that benefits from diversity cannot be reaped if the corporate culture of an organization does not foster notions and beliefs that promote innovative ways of critical thinking and problem solving and appreciate differences of thought. The company provides their senior executives with cultural competency training and GD&I best practice management strategies and provide the rest of their employees with adequate chances and occasions to interact with and develop main stakeholder connections and in doing that promoting a corporate culture that fosters inclusion and global diversity (Microsoft, 2010).

Microsoft also believes in encouraging Employee Resource Groups and Employee Networks that offer cultural understanding and awareness and opportunities to interact socially and are connected and aligned with the overall business aims and objectives of the company. Members of these groups work of their own free accord and operate as internal resources to ascertain the presence of diverse viewpoints in the various daily activities of the business. These groups also offer career growth, training, counsel, interactive opportunities, guidance, community contribution, input on various products and support in operations that enhance cultural understanding of the people (Microsoft, 2010).

Integrating an innovative culture

Microsoft is of the opinion that developing the best software implies integrating the skills and talents of their diversified taskforce into their product line and realizing the demands and concerns of their varied consumers, suppliers and partners. The company is devoted to promoting diversity in their supplier base that implies working together with certified and highly trained diverse individuals, such as women, minority groups, people with disabilities, small businesses etc. (Microsoft, 2010).

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