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Tag: Chris Capossela

  • Microsoft Outmaneuvers Rivals, Tops ‘Best-Managed’ List

    Microsoft Outmaneuvers Rivals, Tops ‘Best-Managed’ List

    Microsoft is once again outmaneuvering its rival tech companies, claiming the top spot on the Wall Street Journal’s (WSJ) Management Top 250 list.

    The WSJ tasked Claremont Graduate University’s Drucker Institute with compiling the list based on a variety of factors, such as customer satisfaction, employee engagement, innovation, social responsibility, and financial strength. Microsoft topped the list by a wide margin, scoring a total of 98.6. Apple, the second-place company on the list, scored a distant 83.2.

    As the WSJ pointed out in its coverage, Microsoft was in the top 10 in every category except customer satisfaction, ranking 519th. While companies certainly strive for high customer satisfaction, Microsoft’s dominance of the desktop computing and productivity markets means the company is not as susceptible to less-than-stellar customer satisfaction.

    Meanwhile, Microsoft’s bet on cloud computing continues to pay off, with the company in second place in the industry and continuing to make headway against AWS.

    “We continue to have a sharp focus on our people, and while we’re not immune from macro impacts, we feel good about the businesses we are investing in, our position in those markets, and our ability to help customers optimize their IT budgets and cloud spending,” Microsoft’s chief marketing officer, Chris Capossela, told WSJ.

    Read More: How Microsoft Is Outmaneuvering Google

    Microsoft’s position at the top of the list for the third straight year shows how much the company has adapted to a changed industry and continues to outmaneuver both smaller and younger rivals. Interestingly, Amazon dropped to 8th place on the list, while Alphabet dropped to 24th.

    Microsoft’s ability to reinvent itself goes far beyond merely shifting from desktop to cloud computing. The company has been one of the only major Big Tech companies to consistently show a willingness to work with regulators preemptively and make concessions to address antitrust concerns.

    The company has also demonstrated an almost startup-like willingness to take big bets, such as beating out Google for Netflix’s ad business despite Google being favored. In that instance, Microsoft showed a willingness to commit to Neflix’s needs, whereas Google tried hedging its bets.

    Microsoft has also won praise for its handling of HR matters, commissioning an independent transparency report into its discrimination and harassment policies.

    The WSJ’s ranking is just the latest indication that Microsoft’s future continues to be a bright one, with the company continuing to outperform and outmaneuver its rivals.

  • Microsoft’s Headquarters Will Reopen the End of February

    Microsoft’s Headquarters Will Reopen the End of February

    Microsoft has signaled it is preparing to open its headquarters at the end of February, a major step in its return to normal.

    Like most companies, Microsoft sent its employees home early in the pandemic. As the pandemic continued, the company repeatedly postponed its return-to-office date. The most recent postponement occurred as a result of the Omicron surge. At the time, CEO Satya Nadella warned that companies must be careful “not to be overly dogmatic” with their plans.

    According to the company, its Washington offices will reopen on February 28. The sites will be open to employees and guests alike. Employees will have 30 days to adopt the work arrangements they have agreed to with their managers. At the same time, Microsoft is adopting the approach Nadella championed, affording employees the ability to retain the flexibility they have enjoyed working from home.

    “Throughout the pandemic, our employees have adapted to many new ways of working while helping our customers and partners navigate their own challenges,” writes Chris Capossela – Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “We know there’s not a singular solution to how people work best, which is why we believe flexibility should be at the forefront of our evolving hybrid workplace. Our approach to hybrid embraces schedule flexibility as standard for most roles and provides employees with the opportunity to determine how and where they work best, while making sure an individual’s plans align to the team agreements set with their manager. We’ve committed to empowering our managers with tools and resources to provide employees with the level of care they need during this transition, which includes the ability to approve requests to adjust their work site, location or hours.”

    Excluding a new surge from another variant, Microsoft’s plans are a major step forward. At the same time, Microsoft’s willingness to be work with employees and maintain their flexibility is admirable, and an approach other companies would do well to imitate.