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The Microsoft Way: The Real Story of How the Company Outsmarts Its Competition

Randall E. Stross

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Summary

Randall Stross examines Microsoft's work and competitive position through access to its archives and employees. His account follows the company's search for strong technical staff, its use of market feedback and the development of products such as Encarta. Stross also considers Microsoft's changing online plans, challenges from smaller rivals and the debate over its market power. The book presents an argument about how the company learned and changed as it grew.

  • SourceThe Microsoft Way — licensed Basic Books description · Publisher description: archive access; intelligent staff, market feedback, Encarta, online plans, Intuit/Netscape and antitrust; contents Introduction, Sitting and Thinking, Smarts
  • SourceThe Microsoft Way — Hachette / Basic Books · Exact title, author, 1997 trade paperback ISBN 9780201327977; the Google Books description is a different edition of the same work

Why read it Our view

Read this company history for its cases of recruiting technical staff, developing Encarta, responding to customer feedback and competing with smaller software firms. Stross's explanation of Microsoft's strengths is his argument; compare it with the specific product and market decisions he describes.

Written about

  • Bill GatesMicrosoft company history
    Stross examines Microsoft's hiring, product development, customer feedback and competition under Gates. This is a company-history connection, without implying Gates recommended the book.
    Source