Multahadi Qisman

29119492

Microsoft Competing on Talent (A)

Microsoft is the largest Software Company in the world. Found by Bill Gates and
Paul Allend in 1975. Microsoft has grown and become a multibillion company in only ten
years. It all started with a great vision “a computer on every desk and everyhome”. Microsoft
has differents strategy to recruit new employess with another company. In 1980’s Microsoft
HR strategy are :

 Recruiting the best, most well driven technical person from elite educational
institutions.
 For Gates, acquired knowledge was less important than “smarts” – the ability to
think creatively, and experience was less important than ambition – the drive to get
things done. And, to raise the bar continually.

Experienced employess conduct interviews and it is very important to note the team
managers are the people that actually hire. Technical interview typically focused on
programming problems, creative problem solving and composure. By 1986, Microsoft had
nearly 1,200 employees and moved into new office. Bill Gates said this is symbolized
Microsoft change from start-up to successful company, but the cultures like traditional
company because the employees work with 14-hours days. In 1990, as company has more
than 20,000 employess, Gates became concerned that it was losing some of the values and
spirit that had made it successful. As Microsoft grew, management felt they need more
structure in the review and feedback process that was tied to the reward system in the
company. To develop what became known as the Microsoft “competency model” HR
specialist make a survey, from this process emerged six “success factors”:

 Taking a longterm approach to people and technology

 Getting results
 Individual excellence
 A passions for products and technology
 Customer feedback
 Teamwork

From these six core values HR and team developed 29 individual competencies required for
their successful implementation, with each one described behaviorally at four different levels
of performances and used for basic concept recruit process.