The Secret to Successful Motivation at Microsoft

        I recently read an article in Bloomberg Business Week about Microsoft and how well they motivate their employees. It is based on excerpts of the book "The 12 Simple Secrets of Microsoft Management" by Dave Thielen. Their main secret to success is simple, yet not commonly practiced. They rely on employees to self motivate, by constantly creating new ideas and never being punished for a bad idea. You can imagine what this would be like on a day to day basis. You have a department and within that area, you independently work on projects that interest you. That it in itself is pure motivation in my mind. Most of your work might never get published or even seen by someone in management, but when it does you have the entitlement of contributing to an extremely successful company.

       

        The excerpt, written by a previous Microsoft employee mentions that at Microsoft, there are no excuses. This seems like a harsh way of life, but at their company, it is really a positive. You are only measured by success. It doesn't matter what you did all day or what happens in your life that may have affected your work. If you develop something successful, you will be given the credit due. There isn't someone over your cubicle asking you why you didn't think of a great idea that day. People that work at Microsoft are intelligent and creative, they don't need someone to check up on them because they love what they do.

        Everyone has their own way to work and be motivated, personally I would love this environment and think Microsoft does a great job of managing their employees!

-Kelsey Van Gieson

GROUP 4

Link to article: http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/news/coladvice/book/bk990611.htm