Question

Do you think the Mission Statement of Microsoft is appropriate and well stated? Support your answer.

Do a brief SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) analysis of Microsoft, listing at least one item in each category.

What is the management leadership style predominantly used in Microsoft? Support and explain your answer.

Is the organization tall or flat? Explain and support your reasoning.

Answer 1

The mission statement of Microsoft is “to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.” And I believe yes Microsoft justifies the mission statement, as each and every software or product that Microsoft comes up with is an advancement of the earlier one to give people and organisations more power to work in an easier way. The mission statement is directly linked with the vision statement of Microsoft and all the strategies are aimed at providing the customer more value and utility in terms of the product and service.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strength- Good Brand Image, Positive externalities of the product and strong relations with other companies.

Weakness- Cyber Crime risks, Copying of products i.e. lack of innovation, lack of important computer hardware parts.

Opportunity-Microsoft can try its hands on diversification, Innovation of the products and safety systems in order to save itself from cyber crimes.

Threats- High Competition with Google, Apple, IBM, Piracy of the products and cyber attacks.

The management leadership followed in Microsoft is “positive leadership” i.e. emphasizing growth mindset and empathy which are reinforced by action. This kind of leadership creates an atmosphere where employees are trusted, empowered, motivated and work as a team. The three things that leadership of Microsoft focuses at are- Clarity, Energy and Success, no matter what.

Earlier Microsoft started with a flat structure but as it grew and expanded the structure has now become tall. Flat structure is suitable for smaller organisations but as the organisation grows, departments increase, span of control widens and complexities arise and thus tall organisational structure is suitable.