In business and industrial endeavours it is easy to gain initial success but keeping the success going for a long way is difficult task. Microsoft was not a venture that started with big capital investment. It was an idea. The foundation of the company was laid in the minds of Bill Gates and Paul Allen. It was later that the company took material shape. The great digital business empire of Bill Gates started as an idea, a youthful dream and a hope of two talented boys. The faith of Bill and Allen was the sole capital of Microsoft Corporation. Only after registration of the company the matters of capital inputs was discussed. Gradually Microsoft gathered speed, took off and skyrocketted towards ever new hights of profit earnings. Then, it became the world’s largest money spinner.
It is rightly said that to become richie rich overnight a few years are needed.
Bill Gates became the richest man of the world in only two decades instead of a life time it could have taken to any other man. He would be mentioned as one of the most impressive achievers of the corporate world. A man of charismatic personality, Bill is a versatile character with many talents. One of his talents responsible for his meteoric rise was his good judgement of characters and their capabilities. He put together an incredible team of professionals including his old mates to seen his digital empire efficiently, productively and profitably. So, the introduction of his team here won’t be out of place since it was instrumental in helping Bill capture the world digitally and make his pot of gold.
Steven Balmer
A CEO of Microsoft, Steven Balmer took it to new heights. He made a great contribution in making Microsoft world’s premier business house dealing in computer programming, software manufacturing and online services. In 1980 he joined Microsoft as business manager, a personal choice of Bill Gates. The guidance and enthusiasm of Steven was one of the factors that pushed Microsoft forward and became one of the major players in software field.
Steven A. Balmer was born in March 1956 in Detroit. His father was a manager in Ford Motor Co. Steven studied at Harward where he met Bill who later left midway to start his Microsoft. Meanwhile, Steven did postgraduate course in mathematics and economics. He had been the captain of college football team. He also worked for the university magazine and newspaper. After leaving Harward Steven worked for the MNC. ‘Proctor & Gambel’ as assistant production manager. Before joining Microsoft he did a short stint in Graduate Business School of Stenford University.
For the past twenty years Steven has worked in various departments of Microsoft as an executive officer. They included editorial, editing process and sales-cum-distribution. Steven oversaw the smooth daily functioning of Microsoft when he was promoted to the post of the president. In 2000 Steven was made the CEO of Microsoft. Now he had more responsibilities to carry. It was his main responsibility to bring world’s top bosses of trade and industry under the influence of Microsoft. With a single minded devotion Steven discharged his duty and strengthened the hold of Microsoft.
It should be noted that Bill remained at Harward for hardly 1½ years. His aquaintance with Steven was equally brief. In that short period Bill gauged future capabilities and potential of Steven correctly and noted his name in his mind. Bill respected the relationships and honoured them according to qualifications.
Doctor Cash
A man of incredible talent, Doctor Cash joined Microsoft in 2002. This person played a significant role in the expansion of Microsoft World over. Doctor Cash is respectfully considered as the great thinker of the industrial world.
Doctor Cash graduated from Texas Christian University in mathematical science. He earned post-graduate degree in computer science from Produe University. He earned the Doctorate of Philosophy in Information Industry Management. In 1976 Dr. Cash was appointed as teacher in Harward Business School. There he taught business and management (ABS and MBA). From 1992 to 1995 Dr. Cash discharged the duties as the chairperson in executing administrative works. He served as the member of the board of directors of several companies like General Electric Company, Face Forward Incorporated, Wall Mart etc. As an advisor and teacher he served several governmental and private institutions. Even before graduation Dr. Cash worked as director in data processing, system programmes and application programmes. He had earned name with his research on ‘Evolution of Information Industry’ (especially in respect of strategic importance).
In due respect to the qualifications of Dr. Cash he was given the position of a director in the Microsoft Board by Bill Gates. Dr. Cash educated the information and industrial organisations in developing the leadership qualities. He made huge intellectual and the psychological contribution to take Microsoft at a different level of functioning.
Miss Dina Dubelon
Miss Dina started serving Microsoft from March 22, 2005. Before coming to Microsoft she served on Accenture Ltd. and Pepsi Co. boards of directors. Dina was founding board member of Green Stone Media. She also had served for Carnegie Melan University, International Women Chest and Women Commission (the refugee women and children).
Dina was born in Brazil. She graduated from Hibru University in economics and mathematics. Postgraduate degree she earned from Carnegie Melon University. She later revealed a great talent. She served as Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial
Officer of ‘Morgan Chase Company’.
Dina’s other remarkable works include her research work in technique, management and takeover in the field of global economic investments.
Dina had started her career as an apprentice in Financial Supply Group of Chemical Bank. Then till 1996 she worked on important posts in various divisions of Market Economy System. As research associate Dina worked for Harward Business School. She also served as regional director in Hepoalin Security Department of Israel. Thus, before joining Microsoft in 2005, Dina had secured a high position in corporate world. Impressed with her achievements Bill Gates gave her direct entry in Microsoft Board of Directors. She made her valuable contribution to the onward progress of the Microsoft Corporation.
Raymond V. Gillmartin
Raymond showed his natural talent in the early school years and he received higher education from Union College from where he earned a diploma in electrical engineering in 1963. In 1968 Raymond gained MBA degree from Harward Business School after shifting there from the Union College. He also was connected to international financial concerns of pharmaceutical industry. In November 1994 Raymond served in the capacity of the chairman of Merc, an international drugs company. After that he played very significant roles as CEO and president of ‘Bacton Dickinson’, manufacturers of medical equipment and disease curative products. Raymond had joined this company in 1976 as a vice-president. For the next 18 years Raymond worked hard for the progress of the company. His efforts catapulted the company to the level of world’s top ranking business names. Thus, he had proved his worth.
In April 2001 Raymond got a connect to the board of directors of Microsoft. Till 2006 he served as a special advisor in executive committee implemented the important decisions of the board of directors.
It was Bill Gates who brought Raymond into Microsoft.
Macwardt
Mac has been connected to Financial Risk Undertaking for a long time. In the field of financial risks his name is a well known entity as an authority. He was one of the founders of ‘August Capital’ company which came into existence in 1995. He has been associated with Financial Risks undertaking since 1979. As an partner of Institutional Venture Associates he had stepped into the field of financial risks undertakings. During the decade of this association with it several companies received financial support and capital investment. They included the international firms like Segate Technology Incorporation, Spectrologic & Stratus Computer etc.
Mac took part in capital management of about one hundred companies and contributed to their growth. Out of them in twenty companies he served a member in their boards of directors. On June 30, 1981 Mac became a part of Microsoft as one of its founding members. He still serves in several directorial boards of companies as an important member. Mac is sole financer of several companies including Microsoft Corporation. In case of Microsoft it can be said that his contribution has been very vital for its rapid growth that needed constant financial backing. He is the living example of Bill Gates choosing right person for the right role for his enterprise.
Noskie
Noskie is one other important name that figures in the board of directors of Microsoft. Even before coming the Microsoft he had made a niche for himself in the industrial field. On November 11, 2003 Noskie joined Microsoft. Before that he had served AT&T Corporation as senior executive, vice president and chief financial officer. In February 2003 Noskie was made the vice-chairman of the board of directors of AT&T. During 2003-2005 he gave his services to Northros Corporation as corporate vice president and chief financial officer. He also was in the board of directors. Similarly he discharged his duties as CEO of H. Electronic Corpn. Noskie had been a member of the Accounting Visionary Corporation of American Institute, Advisory Committee and Financial Standards Accounting. He also had been the director of Los Angeles Art Center and California State University. He served in the board of directors in Morgan Stanley and Air Products & Chemical Co. Noskie was yet another prize catch of Bill Gates.
Doctor Helmutt
As Vice-executive director Dr. Helmutt made his entry into Microsoft Corporation on November 11, 2003. He had been giving his services to UBS-AG of Switzerland by being on its board of directors. He served in Inspection Board as a nominee of Bauyer-AT&T. Dr. Helmutt was also an important member of the Advisory Council of Global Strategic Equity Fund International of Dubai. Till 1982 Dr. Helmutt worked for BMW in various departments in executive positions. From May 2002 to August 2006 he gave his valuable services as chairperson of Management Corporaton. In the capacity of working Chairperson and CEO he served in management board of Human Resources and Information Technology. All the activities of the company from 1993 to 1996 in North America were directed by Dr. Helmutt.
John A. Shirley
Shirley was born in San Diego in 1938. He graduated from ‘The Hill School of Pennsilvania’. Then he earned MIT degree from ‘Cambridge’ Messachusetts. For 25 years he served in Tandy Corporation in various capacities. In 1983 he left the corporation and moved to Seattle where he got linked up with Microsoft Corporation. He worked on the posts of the president, CEO and director. In 1990 he retired from the Microsoft but continued to be the director. He also served as the director of Seattle based financial company ‘Mainginta’. His other activities include being vice chairperson of the founding society of ‘Seattle Art Museum’ ‘Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington, Again as a founding member Shirley joined Microsoft as member of its board on August 13, 1983. He made a remarkable contribution to the advancement of Microsoft.
All the above team members of Microsoft played significant role in the meteoric rise of the Corporation. They were extraordinary men of talent, capabilities creativity and drive. All were impressive personalities who worked in excellent harmony and understanding with Bill Gates. The noteworthy facts about this coordination and fine tuning are as under :
❑ Although there is a long list of talented people who joined Microsoft yet the above dynamic people stand out because of their proven talent and capacity to take big decisions. Their impressive personalities also made them influential and authoritative.
❑ All of them had brilliant track records of work with other companies engaged in the fields of technology, finance, trade and business. Bill had bought a tested and proven true material. Microsoft, for those people appeared a still better chance to shine further.
❑ The associates did not disappoint Bill Gates. They worked to their full potential and added impetus to the growth of Microsoft. As expected Bill received their unstinted cooperation. Adding big names to the Corporation show off was not the aim. Bill wanted to take advantage of their vast experience and talents.
❑ Most of the chosen ones were given a place in the highest governing body of the Microsoft to honour their talent and the past achievements. It also indicated how Bill Gates respected the talent and paid his tribute meaningfully and practically.
❑ Their contributions proved invaluable for Microsoft in designing, operating, finance management, sales and production. It resulted in the global marketing of the Microsoft in a spectacular way backed up by efficient production of the software and supply.
Thus in the success of Bill Gates and Microsoft the carefully chosen team of talented persons played a stellar role.
