Overview
Concise and to-the-point, David Thielen's insider's report on how Microsoft achieved the impossible - retaining the responsiveness of a small company as it became one of the largest corporations in the world - is a primer on what any company must do to reach the top.Painting a compelling portrait of Microsoft's culture, this ready-to-use book encompasses the core principles that propel every Microsoft employee to excel and direct every manager's thought process. Turn to any page and you will find valuable practices and insights that can be applied to your own company.
Imagine how following these Microsoft standards could instantly increase your firm's productivity: Immediately after each project is completed, a ruthless "post-mortem" process ignores the project's successes to dissect its failures...and how they can be avoided in the future; Instead of wallowing in profit-induced security, Microsoft immediately begins to develop replacements for its cash-cow products - knowing that if they don't, the competition will; Smaller is not just better, it is essential, but work groups, while functionally independent, still pursue a common strategic plan; Could your company survive outside the 9-to-5 ritual?
Editorials
Give away free sodas. Hire smart people. Dont waste time with awards ceremonies. Can Microsoft's recipe for success be this simple?
In 12 Simple Secrets, former Microsoft senior developer, programmer and product manager David Thielen professes a dozen key elements he learned during three years in Redmond that can teach you, as the book's tagline says, 'How to think and act like a Microsoft manager and take your company to the top.'
Not surprisingly, the author's style befits a supermarket checkout diet book. Tip No. 4 Β Require Failure Quickly Β recounts how Microsoft execs are demoted if they play it too safe and never fail. (Are those responsible for Microsoft Bob bossing around the Microsoft Office team?)
Tip No. 7 Β Shrimp vs. Weenies Β recommends that everyone below the CEO level should fly coach, forgo personalized stationery and model their offices after the customer service department. Tip No. 2 Β The Top 5 Percent Β suggests ignoring HR and hiring smart people, regardless of college degrees or personal hygiene.
Now that Microsoft's success is unraveling in federal court, perhaps Thielen should have discussed the company's 13th strategy: Use Market Dominance to Crush Rivals.