www.microsoft.com

Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen with the development of a revolutionary new computer language program. Since its founding, Microsoft has been a leader in software technology and design. The company's business units have brought consumers Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, patented mobile and embedded devices, MSN, and Xbox. In 1995, Windows 95 became one of the best selling software products in history, selling one million copies in four days. In 2000, Steve Ballmer took over the role of CEO as Bill Gates adopted the role of Chief Software Architect.

Explore the site in detail to prepare a two-page report indicating your responses to the following questions. Describe the Microsoft mission and vision as it applies to innovation and change. How is dealing with change particularly important in the software industry today? Describe some current plans being researched and developed at Microsoft to keep the company on the cutting edge of innovation.

Dee Hock, founder and emeritus CEO of VISA speaks eloquently about change and the need for change in our organizations and how they are designed and managed in his 1999 book, Birth of the Chaordic Organization. He frames his thinking about change in a quote from Marcus Aurelius Antonius:

Is anyone afraid of change? Why, what can take place without change? What then is more pleasing to the universal nature? And canst thou take a bath unless the wood undergoes a change? And canst thou be nourished unless the food undergoes a change? And can anything else that is useful be accomplished without change? Dost thou not see then that for thyself also to undergo change is just the same, and equally necessary for the universal nature?

While Marcus Aurelius Antonius was speaking centuries before our time, he is making a valid point many seem to miss in today's changing society. Change, although wrenching for many, is an inevitable part of living.

People resist change for a variety of reasons. The purpose of this exercise is to.... Go to http://www.trainingforum.com/011498rt.html and read the article: Ten Driving Forces of Change for the New Millennium by Robert Tucker. Then rank order the 10 driving forces from 1 (most important) to 10 (least important).

Questions

1. What criteria did you use to rank the 10 forces of change? Describe and explain.
2. Did you think that you could add or subtract from the author's list? Why or why not?
3. Can we really tell what the driving forces of the future are or can we only make the best educated guesses possible? Explain?
4. Do we live in a linear or chaotic world? Discuss your rationale.