Microsoft

Bill Gates

Bill H. Gates is chairman of Microsoft Corporation, the worldwide leader in software. Microsoft had revenues of US$44.28 billion for the fiscal year ending June 2006, and employs more than 71,000 people in 103 countries and regions. On June 15, 2006, Microsoft announced that effective July 2008 Gates will transition out of a day-to-day role in the company to spend more time on his global health and education work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. After July 2008 Gates will continue to serve as Microsoft’s chairman and an advisor on key development projects. In his junior year, Gates left Harvard University to devote his energies to Microsoft, a company he had begun in 1975 with his childhood friend Paul Allen. Microsoft has invested $6.2 billion on research and development in the 2005 fiscal year. (why? find out more) ^[1]

Steven A. Ballmer is a Harvard graduate with a degree in mathemeatics and Economics and is now Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Corporation. Ballmer joined in 1980 and was the first business manager hired by Bill Gates. Former President, now CEO The company has seven business After college he worked at Procter and Gamble Co for two years. Beofore working for Microsoft he attended Stanford University Graduate School of Business. ^[2]

James I. Cash Jr., Ph.D.Dr. Cash received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Texas Christian University; a Master of Science in computer science from Purdue University's Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Management Information Systems (MIS) from Purdue University's Krannert Graduate School of Management. He joined the Harvard Business School Faculty in 1976, and has taught in all the major HBS programs MBA, Program for Management Development (PMD), Program for Global Leadership (PGL), and Advanced Management Program (AMP). Among his administrative assignments he has served as chairman of the MBA Program from 1992 to 1995, during the schools project to redesign the MBA Program MBA: Leadership and Learning; and as Senior Associate Dean and Chairman of HBS Publishing from 1998 to 2003.

Dr. Cash's nonacademic activities include serving as a trustee or overseer for nonprofit organizations and on the board of directors for several public companies. He has worked with many companies and governments around the world in both consulting and teaching assignments. Before his graduate education and joining the Harvard Faculty, he worked as director of Data Processing for several years, which followed jobs as a systems analyst, systems programmer and application programmer. His research focused on the strategic use of information technology in the service sector.

Dr. Cash is currently running an invitation-only program for chief information officers of leading companies-designed to promote peer-to-peer exchange and learning, and exposure to leading thinkers from business, government and academia – titled The Cash Concours. He also designed and implemented a leadership development program for The Concours Group which targets senior managers in large information technology organizations.^[3]

Microsoft Governement Leaders Forum

The annual forum brings together Prime Ministers, Ministers, EU Commissioners and policy advisers from across Europe, marking one of the most senior gatherings of European leaders Scotland has seen.

The Government Leaders’ Forum Europe is one of Microsoft’s flagship events for government, parliamentarians, education and business leaders across the continent and is being supported by a partnership of the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive.

The event provides a forum to formulate successful strategies in key areas relating to connected government, digital learning, employability skills and the transition to the knowledge economy. This year will reflect a number of Scotland’s experiences as the host country

Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, George Reid MSP said:

“Our Parliament is committed to the widest possible engagement with the people, one important element in this being the use of technology. From my attendance at this year’s forum in Lisbon, it is clear that the Scottish experience has much to share with the political institutions of Europe.

“This conference provides an opportunity to debate key issues of engagement and economic development which affect citizens and states across Europe.

“I look forward to welcoming the Microsoft Government Leaders’ Forum. Once again, Holyrood will provide the stage that puts Scotland at the heart of international debate.”

The President of Microsoft International, Jean-Philippe Courtois said:

“The Scottish Parliament offers a unique setting to hold a very interactive and participative Government Leaders’ Forum. This event offers an excellent opportunity to bring together top policy makers and industry leaders from across the continent to facilitate a discussion around the impact of ICT on parliaments and their citizens. Microsoft is grateful to both the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive for their support and cooperation in bringing the GLF to Edinburgh.” ^[4]

Microsoft Government Leaders Forum Microsoft says Scottish NHS must curb IT spend ^[5]

Notes

1. ^ Microsoft website Board of Directorsaccessed 30/01/07
2. ^ Scottish Parliament to host the UK’s first Microsoft Government Leaders’ Forum | 20 September 2006.[6]
3. ^ Microsoft website, Board of Directors
4. ^ Lucy Sherriff Microsoft says Scottish NHS must curb IT spend: Unusual advice from a vendor The Register, Published Wednesday 5th January 2005 13:25 GMT