Microsoft 2008 Annual Report Download - page 5

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Russia, we saw strong growth across Central and Eastern Europe, where revenue increased 64 percent in fiscal
2008. Driven by positive results in Brazil, Latin America recorded an increase of nearly 30 percent. We also saw
strong revenue growth in many developed countries, including Norway, Spain, Australia, Canada, and Germany,
which all recorded revenue growth of 25 percent or more. All told, we saw 25 percent growth or better in 45
countries in fiscal 2008.
Supporting Communities and Diversity
Using the power of technology to help communities thrive and enable people around the world to achieve their
potential remains central to our mission. In 2007, we announced the expansion of Unlimited Potential as the focus
of our efforts to help close the digital divide for the estimated 5 billion people who are not yet realizing the benefits
of information technology. One example of the progress we made in fiscal 2008 was the announcement that our
Partners in Learning program has reached more than 100 million teachers and students in 101 countries.
Diversity and inclusion are also core values at Microsoft. Across the company, we seek to promote diversity at
every level and in everything we do. We’re working to encourage women and minorities to enter the technology
industry through programs such as DigiGirlz, which help high school girls learn about careers in technology. And
we’re committed to working with minority- and women-focused organizations such as the National Society of
Black Engineers to help bring technology to diverse communities.
Strong Leadership Focused on Future Growth
As we head into a new fiscal year, we believe that Microsoft is ideally positioned to drive strong growth in 2009
and beyond. We have excellent momentum and a great pipeline of products and technologies. Even more
important, we have great people at every level, including strong leaders who have the experience and strategic
insight to turn the opportunities that lie ahead of us into even greater success in the future.
With Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie and Chief Research and Strategy Officer Craig Mundie guiding the
company’s technical strategy and a new generation of leaders stepping up to lead in areas such as online
advertising, search, business strategy, and marketing, we look forward to delivering innovative products and
services that improve people’s lives and create new opportunities for Microsoft, our customers, and our partners.
For more than 30 years, Microsoft has enjoyed tremendous success by delivering key innovations that have
revolutionized the way people communicate, share ideas, manage their businesses, and much more. Today,
we’re in the midst of one of the most exciting periods in the history of our industry. Computing continues to
become more powerful, more portable, and more affordable. Content, communications, and media are shifting
entirely to digital formats. The combination of software plus services is transforming the way we create and deliver
computing experiences.
We are inspired by the opportunities we have to use the power of digital technology to continue to change the
world for the better. It is your support that enables us to pursue these incredible opportunities.
Thank you.
William H. Gates III
Chairman of the Board
Steven A. Ballmer
Chief Executive Officer