Managing Change and Creativity



Managing Change and Creativity

Managing change has become the "silver bullet" in seeking the final component of successfully managing strategy, process, people and culture in most modern organizations. More and more, staying competitive in the face of demographic trends, technological innovations, and globalization requires organizations to change at much higher rates than ever before. Few people will argue with this statement, but fewer still will say their organization does a good job at managing those changes. Managing change well is a continuous and ongoing combination of art and science that assures alignment of an organization's strategies, structures, and processes.

A growing number of companies are undertaking the kinds of organizational changes needed to survive and prosper in today's environment. They are streamlining themselves and thereby becoming more nimble and responsive to external demands. They are involving employees in key decisions and paying for performance rather than for time. They are taking initiative in innovating and managing change, rather than simply reacting to what has already happened.

Founders' Motivations

William (Bill) H. Gates and his long-term friend Paul Allen founded Microsoft Corporation in 1975. Gates had a vision that in the years to come computers will be a valuable asset to individuals and businesses. With this vision, Gates began his lifelong commitment of developing software capable of bringing his visions to life. Today Gates is the owner of Microsoft Corporation a company that specializes in manufacturing software. Due to the successful history of Microsoft Corporation, the company has been titled “The Software Giant of the World” (Microsoft, 2008, p. 4)Microsoft's persistence and dedication for excellence has allowed the corporation to exceed sales expectations of over $3.472 billion for the second fiscal quarter of 2007, according to the Microsoft Q2 2007 Revenue Report, released on January 25, 2007 (Microsoft.com, 2007, 2). Gates, who is one of the world's richest men, has a dollar amount valued at $59 million according to a report released by the BillGatesmicrosoft.com report (BillGatesmicrosoft.com, 2008).

The success of Microsoft is due in part to the organization's ability to sustain a diverse workplace. Microsoft continues to support change through the programs aimed at promoting and integrating change at each level within the organization locally, nationally, and globally. Some of the programs include diversity education, supporting people with disabilities, establishing a greater presence through the Microsoft Outreach, and Women at Microsoft, which supports women in leadership.

In addition to these established programs, Microsoft employs an assortment of minds, from various ethnical backgrounds, which contributes to the ongoing demands of a diverse workplace. Many of the employees are African Americans, deaf, hard of hearing, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender. The employees of Microsoft are in charge of the resource groups within the organization, which ensures that change will remain prominent (Microsoft, 2008).

To assist with the demands associated with a global business, change remains extremely important to the individuals associated with Microsoft. Microsoft has 44,298 employees within the United States and an astounding 27,255, which accounts for their employees outside the United States in various ...