Five Strategies Microsoft Got Right…And What It Teaches

/* Posted November 29th, 2008 at 11:53pm */
/* Filed under Microsoft */
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http://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/news-a-analysis/41-november-2008/323-five-strategies-microsoft-got-right.html

Directions on Microsoft published an interesting list this week - Five Strategies Microsoft Got Right. I wont steal their thunder by adding all the details but here are the chosen 5


Software Is King

Outsource Your Sales Force

Technology for the Masses

Developers, Developers, Developers!

The Long View

It’s a pretty good list. In fact it’s a very good list and I can’t think of anything I would replace in that list. Perhaps a #6 would be hiring smart people across the whole organization. That’s one thing that never ceases to amaze me is the calibre of talent. 
Some of the 5 are pretty obvious but one people often overlook is #5. Microsoft does take a very very long view and invests in an incredible amount of research and diligence around those investments. Some would argue too much and that hampers nimbleness which I could agree with…but the long view is something I really admire about the company. 
People will concentrate on the 5 but what is a more useful list in many ways is what it teaches according to DOMIS

Lesson #1: Question the rules. Change the game. Lesson #2: Create win-win partner situations to grow fast Lesson #3: Don’t neglect your customers’ most important need: a better price Lesson #4: Make it easy for partners to customize your product. Lesson #5: Business isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Be persistent.