Microsoft 2003 Annual Report Download - page 10

Download and view the complete annual report

Please find page 10 of the 2003 Microsoft annual report below. You can navigate through the pages in the report by either clicking on the pages listed below, or by using the keyword search tool below to find specific information within the annual report.

Page out of 61

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • 30
  • 31
  • 32
  • 33
  • 34
  • 35
  • 36
  • 37
  • 38
  • 39
  • 40
  • 41
  • 42
  • 43
  • 44
  • 45
  • 46
  • 47
  • 48
  • 49
  • 50
  • 51
  • 52
  • 53
  • 54
  • 55
  • 56
  • 57
  • 58
  • 59
  • 60
  • 61

Excellence in people and processes
As a company whose primary assets are intellectual property, we are constantly focused on attracting and retaining the people who
create it, the top talent in our industry. We had great success last year as we expanded our recruitment and career-development efforts
in core areas such as product development, marketing, finance, sales, and operations.
Because Microsoft’s success depends entirely on the great ideas of our employees, we are committed to continuing to provide a
diverse workplace where people feel at home, have an opportunity to develop their skills, and find new and interesting opportunities.
In July, we took steps to enhance employee compensation. We are no longer issuing employee stock options, but instead granting stock
awards that vest over several years. This will offer employees more stable equity compensation, and will better align employee and
shareholder interests.
While we continue to invest for the future, we also continue to search for ways to reduce overhead and become more efficient. We
recently named chief financial officers for each of our seven business segments to help further improve our financial management.
The path forward
We believe our business plan puts us on a sure path to achieve our goals. All our actions are aimed at putting the customer first. Doing
so, we believe, is critical to our continued success.
Making technology easier and better for customers was our inspiration 20 years ago, when Microsoft announced its graphical user
interface for personal computers. We called it Windows, and it helped revolutionize computing. Today, we are developing a range of
integrated products that will again transform how people work, learn, communicate, and are entertained. We are totally focused on our
mission of enabling people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential. We deeply appreciate your support for our
efforts.
Bill Gates
Chairman and Chief Software Architect
Steven A. Ballmer
Chief Executive Officer