Assignment-Management at a Company Microsoft
Faculty will provide two to three companies for you to choose from for this assignment. Using the Internet and Strayer University databases, research the selected company from its inception to current-day operations. (Walgreens, Kodak or Hershey)
Write a five to six page paper in which you:
1. Evaluate two key changes in the selected company's management style from the company's inception to the current day. Indicate whether or not you believe the company is properly managed. Provide support for your position.
2. Explain senior management's role in preparing the organization for its most recent change. Provide evidence of whether the transition was seamless or problematic from a management perspective. Provide support for your rationale.
3. Evaluate management's decision on its use of vendors and spokespersons. Indicate the organizational impact of these decisions.
4. As a manager within the selected company, suggest one innovative idea that could have a positive impact on both the employees and customers of the company. Indicate the approach you will take in implementing the new idea. Provide support for your suggestion.
5. Predict the selected company's ability to adapt to the changing needs of customers and the market environment. Indicate how open communication channels are critical for successfully implementing change in the organization. Provide support for your prediction.
6. Use at least three quality academic resources. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Introduction:
Microsoft success story is as interesting as any fairy tale. It is the most highly capitalizedcompanyjust due to the strength of Bill Gates management stylewhich is the core strength of the Firm. Though there are many other companies whose products are much better and robust than the products of Microsoft , the management style of Microsoft has made this company dominate the industry .the number of businesses that have either been acquired by Microsoft or have closed shop due to Microsoft are innumerable .the reason is the sheer excellence of management styles .
Two keychanges that were initiated in Microsoft:
Microsoft was very wellknown for its culture of managing employee performances through a method called stack ranking .this model employed by Microsoft was also known as "the performance model," "the bell curve," or just "the employee review". Verywellknown andadapted by many companies and educational institutions it ranked a certain percentage of employees as top performers, then good performers, then average, then below average, then poor. This was a practice that was not only one of the gravest mistakes that was committed by Microsoftmanagement; it also led toheavy attrition and loss of knowledge quotient. This managementculture made employees fear working among others as it would result either in poorrankings or otherwise. This led to severe competition among employees which was not considered to be a good sign .This resulted in conflicts among different function domains in Microsoft. Understanding that the"stack ranking "culture was creating more problems than desired, Microsoft management under the stewardship of Ballmer decided to axe this traditional system. This is expected to bring in better morale and better hiring that willhave a direct impact on the current and future employees of Microsoft. The stack rankingmanagement style allowed workers tocompete among themselvesinstead of collaboratingto bring out products. This change was necessary if Microsoft had to sustain its innovation practices. Thechallenges in knowledge management werea greatconcernto the senior management and hence it was decided that the stackranking system would beabolished for amore collaborative tool. (Thielen and Thielen 1999)
The other change that was very much needed was to transform theculture of Microsoft from a Windows specialist, "Windows was the god-everything had to work with Windows."Instead of looking at product diversification their too much dependence on windows has cost the firm dearly in terms of innovation intelligence and years lost out on innovative products. The shift from specialist's brilliance to generalist adaptability was very much needed. While the founders were specialists, what was needed tocompete in the market was a generalist who could tackle everything from product specification to school models and games. Steve Balmer brought in the necessary change in culture. This change was going to take a turn around for the scope of the businessas Balmer was more interested in bringing out high levels of product efficiency into the already lost decade of Windows.Itwas also seen that that Microsoft was "losing the way" with tall promises of new products but those that were either struggled to make it to market or were simply too late to compete. Microsoft's management has to change its culture from windows to other new ones otherwise mistakeswill happen products will not be delivered andMicrosoft markets will be captured by those firms which make fewer mistakes and delver well. Steve Balmer set the ballrollingfor a change in Microsoft's "only windows" philosophy. Satya Nadella is expected tofuel innovation with pro activity and greaterexcitement. (Thielen and Thielen 1999)
Senior management's role in preparing the organization for its most recent change
The senior management of Microsoft hasto prepare the organization and its disgruntled employees for the change. Satya Nadella is expected to change the culture of the firm by his management approach which speaks of "getting people to commit and engage in an authentic way, and for us to feel that energy as a team." He believes that everyone in Microsoft has fantastic attributes personally but collectiveevaluationis whatwilldeliver. He believes that his approach to change would be on authentically communicating and to build on each person's capabilities to the benefit of our organization. (Thielen and Thielen 1999)
To bring about this change Microsoft ‘organizational culture and climate should complement change within organization .It is very important that organizations that think of changes should be aligned to culture and climate ,there are two distinct forces that dictate how to act within an organization culture and climate. Each organization has its own distinctive culture. It is a combination of the founders, past leadership, current leadership, crises, events, history, and size (Post, James E, & Altman, Barbara W. (1994). This result in rites: the routines, rituals, and the "way we do things." These rites impact individual behavior on what it takes to be in good standing (the norm) and direct the appropriate behavior for each circumstance. The climate is the feel of the organization, the individual and shared perceptions and attitudes of the organization's members (Konrad, A. & Mitchell, J. (2005). While the culture is the deeply rooted nature of the organization that is a result of long-held formal and informal systems, rules, traditions, and customs; climate is a short-term phenomenon created by the current leadership. Climate represents the beliefs about the "feel of the organization" by its members. This individual perception of the "feel of the organization" comes from what the people believe about the activities that occur in the organization. These activities influence both individual and team motivation and satisfaction, such as:
• How well does the leader clarify the priorities and goals of the organization? What is expected of in a change initiative?
• What is the system of recognition, rewards, and punishments in the organization which is continually changing?
• How competent are the leaders in managing change?
• Are leaders free to make decisions regarding change processes?
• What will happen if employees resist change and how this resistance can be managed?
Satya Nadella CEO of Microsoft is expected to win over his employees on this augmenting change.
Evaluate management's decision on its use of vendors and spokespersons.
Vendors and spokespersons of Microsoft are a very important art of relationship management that Microsoft uses tocreate the sustainability impact of its products and to bring to the management customer feedback on its products . This is a very important aspect of building the customer baseandhencemanagement needsto use its vendors to speak about the company and also bring in suitablevendorpractices .responsible sourcing may be the holistic approach to vendormanagement but vendors need tospeakabout the corporate image of Microsoft. New prospects for inculcating this communication are afoot to bring in inclusivity into vendorrelationship.
Innovative idea that could have a positive impact on both the employees and customers of the company
Microsoft has to ensure that fewer mistakes are made. Microsoft has worked closely with its partners to create Windows on ARM and the company plans to make it available exclusively with new devices for hardware makers, and not as a separate product. Although the company has not made any announcements on Windows 8 ARM hardware, it did reveal that some WOA hardware will be made available to developers at the next milestone release of Windows 8 on x86 / 64.
Thisinnovation will not only support the employees and bring in relevanceto Microsoft being a productcompany this willalso ensure that Microsoft can get back the lost customer base. The firm is looking at B2B segments forthis awesome product and it is hoped that the direction of its launchwoulddefinitely bring in better business to the Microsoftfirm. The legacysystems areslowly getting outdated with faster and more efficient operating systems. Satya nadella will haveto look at ground realties and ensure that this disruptive innovation carries thorugh.
Key change in the management structure that may be beneficial to ensuring such an adaptation to change
The market signals have been captured well andWindows is now history. Thecustomers and business houses are looking at greater product mobility with transition phases between two versions built alongside Windows and are looking for greateradaptivemodels from Microsoft.The management structure under the new CEO is augmenting communication and building teams. It is hoped that these changes will bring in the desiredresults.
Conclusion:
Satya Nadella has steered in new leadership tai sot bring the lost wonder of Microsoft back on path he has taken time to show employees that management cares and is concerned about them on a personal level. He has been able to communicate with employees about why the changes are necessary. Focus on market factors. Use a variety of tools to ensure effective communication.
References:
Konrad, A. & Mitchell, J. (2005).Christina Gold Leading Change at Western Union. Harvard
Business Publishing
Thielen, David, and Shirley Thielen. The 12 Simple Secrets Of Microsoft Management. 1st ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1999. Print.
Post, James E, & Altman, Barbara W. (1994). Managing the environmental change process: Barriers and opportunities. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 7(4), 64.
https://www.economist.com/whichmba/management-microsoft-way
https://www.livemint.com/Companies/7wsbm4ClWdkucmOX6mPUHL/Microsoft-gets-CEO-style-change-with-Satya-Nadella-replacing.html
https://www.theverge.com/microsoft/2012/2/9/2787296/windows-8-arm-includes-office-details
6. Use at least three quality academic resources. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date.
The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
• Analyze the activities and skills associated with the planning function of management.
• Analyze the activities and skills associated with the organizing function of management.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in modern management.
• Write clearly and concisely about modern management using proper writing mechanics.