The Culture of Microsoft
Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft is one of the world’s most famous technology companies. The company is based in Redmond, Washington and is best known for its Windows operating system and Office productivity suite. In addition to software, Microsoft also develops hardware and offers cloud services.
In its more than four decades of existence, Microsoft has had a major cultural impact. Its operating systems have helped make computers accessible and useful to people around the world. Its Office software has transformed the way that people and businesses create and share documents. And its Xbox gaming console has helped launch some of the world’s most popular and revolutionary video games.
Along the way, Microsoft has made some mistakes. Its business practices fueled antitrust investigations in the United States and Europe, which resulted in fines and settlements. And it has had to overcome internal strife, including a bitter rivalry with Bill Gates’ former company, Apple.
But despite these problems, the company has continued to innovate and expand. Microsoft has positioned itself as a leader in artificial intelligence and mixed reality, while continuing to evolve its core products for the digital-first world.
The company has expanded into the media industry with its Encarta multimedia encyclopedia and MSNBC television network, which it launched in 1995. It also entered the gaming industry with its Xbox series of consoles, which it first launched in 2001. The company has also expanded its cloud computing offerings, with its Azure platform and other services enabling businesses to deploy applications in the cloud.
Other well-known Microsoft software includes Bing search engine, which competes with Google in the online search market. Its LinkedIn social networking service is used by professionals and businesses to connect with colleagues and potential clients or employers. And its Surface line of hardware devices — which include laptops, tablets and interactive whiteboards — has positioned the company as a player in the tablet and PC markets.
Its corporate culture is also a source of pride for many employees. A survey conducted by Glassdoor, a job site, found that 82% of Microsoft employees say the company has a positive culture. Its leadership team has also shown commitment to improving diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The company has several programs aimed at increasing representation of women, minorities and people with disabilities in the field of technology. And it is committed to being carbon negative by 2030, meaning it will remove more carbon from the atmosphere than it produces. The company is also taking steps to improve access to computer science and technology education for students from underrepresented communities. The company is working with a variety of partners to promote these programs and initiatives, including Code for America and Girls Who Code.
