Microsoft has always encouraged entrepreneurship in its
people, in its products and in the tools that millions of people
around the world use every day to start, grow and run their
businesses and follow their passions.
In Bill Gates, Microsoft has been, and will continue to be,
lucky to benefit from one of the outstanding entrepreneurs of
recent generations, able to blend a deep understanding of
technology and the software industry with world-class business
acumen.
But Microsoft has never been just about Bill – from the outset
Microsoft was built from not just the best and the brightest, but
by mould breakers and visionaries such as co-founder Paul Allen.
This is a legacy that continues to encourage innovation and foster
success, and one which is a cornerstone of our growth, not just in
the UK but around the world.
It is true that in recent years the world of technology has
shifted again and Microsoft has not always been the first mover
into new markets.
In the technology business, however, you always have to change,
to look for what is around the corner, what is going to bring the
most benefit to our customers.
We invest over £3.8bn in research and development each year, but
we have been criticised that many of the internet successes today
were foreseen by our development teams and not capitalised on.
That is perhaps fair comment, but Microsoft recognises that the
search and advertising models are in transition, that the way
television is delivered is changing, that telephony is changing –
and we are in all these markets. We may not be number one yet, but
we are meeting these opportunities and I think we are exceeding
people’s expectations.
I believe Microsoft is well-positioned to make this transition;
the business is strong, there is an incredible pipeline of products
and services coming to market this year and next, and the
leadership team has never been stronger or deeper.
Office 2007 is going to boost productivity for businesses and
with Windows Vista we are going to see a step change in the
operating system that is much more flexible, more intuitive and
more secure than ever.
Ray Ozzie’s appointment simply underlines our commitment to
innovative thinking and a dynamic business model able to deliver
projects with clear objectives that meet specific business and
consumer needs.
Alistair Baker is vice-president at Microsoft EMEA
Microsoft after Gates >>