Essay - Microsoft: the Beast Is Back Fortune Magazine: Http://www.fortune.com/indexw.jhtml?channel=artcol.jhtml&doc_id=202708 A. WHY...

Microsoft: The Beast Is Back

Fortune Magazine: http://www.fortune.com/indexw.jhtml?channel=artcol.jhtml&doc_id=202708

A. Why is work fun again for Bill Gates?

Work has become less stressful for Bill Gates. Once CEO of the almighty Micros*****t, now Mr. Gates has since passed that post to friend Steve Ballmer. ***** *****, for almost two years has been serving as chief software architect, a post in which he created and also has a se*****t on the board. Certainly, the anti-trust cases and ***** unwavering pursuit of those trying ***** find the Achilles heel of Microsoft had taken a toll ***** Mr. Gates. Lackluster stock per*****mance and ***** loss of experienced and k*****ledgeable employees to hot start-ups proved extremely frustrating for the former Chief Executive Officer. ***** Harvard dropout, whose superior technical skills helped spearhead him to fame and fortune in the blink of an eye, lost ***** youthfulness and zest for s*****tware development when the dirty aspects of ***** business surfaced. Having washed his h***** of the dirty side of the business, Bill Gates has returned to where he found the most enjoyment, software *****.

B. The clouds over ***** in 1999 and early 2000 have begun ***** dissipate. What are ***** clouds?

Microsoft disappointed investors due to less than expected returns in the late 90's. Despite the fact that the NASDAQ was experienc*****g extremely high returns, Microsoft's stock seemed unresponsive to the boom occurring in ***** sector. The emergence of Oracle, Sun, CISCO and EMC as *****s with stellar returns left investors saying "Micros*****t who?" Furthermore, the company also suffered from a "br*****in-drain" due to ***** seeking out the "*****" new start-ups. To add insult to injury, Microsoft ***** ordered ***** breakup ***** to monopolistic business practices. However, 2002 marked a new beginning ***** the sleeping giant, the stock so far has recorded a 62 percent increase this year, while stocks of CISCO ***** similar high-tech companies are down an average of 34 *****. Additionally, it is expected that the court of appeals will reject the order to disb*****d Micro*****ft.

C. What is the paradigm shift taking place in Micros*****t? Give examples of *****s past practices and products with what it is doing now and in ***** future.

***** *****p guns at Microsoft ***** claim*****g th***** *****e ***** is reinventing itself and ***** pioneer the post-Internet era. Previously, Microsoft simply reinvented the wheel. That is, they would analyze leading products of competitors, make improvements ***** market it as their own. Those days almost *****, a new paradigm h***** re*****d t*****ese practices. Microsoft is focusing on creativity and innovation. At one point, ********** vision was to have a computer in every home and on ***** desk. This mission has been accomplished and ***** the company is shifting its focus to "empower people through great software--any time, any place, and on ***** device." Seeking to move beyond the World Wide Web and provide Internet services for cellular phones, PDA's and beyond. The idea is that everyone can be "connected" anytime, anywhere. One notable development is HailStorm. This service,