Date: Wednesday, October 2, 1996
To: Dr. Bryant E. Hoffman 
From: Gary L. Haas Jr.
Re:  CEO profile on Bill Gates

Introduction

Below is a profile on the CEO of Microsoft, Bill Gatring records.  Bill Gates has definitely
helped prepare the world for the year 2000.   


  CEO profile on Bill Gates

Intr
Date: Wednesday, October 2, 1996
To: Dr. Bryant E. Hoffman 
From: Gary L. Haas Jr.
Re:  CEO profile on Bill Gates

Introduction

Below is a profile on the CEO of Microsoft, Bill Gates.  As requested this profile contains
an overview of the company, current projects, and the business philosophy of Bill Gates.

Summary

Bill Gates began programming computers at the age of thirteen.  In 1974, he developed BASIC
while attending Harvard University, and in 1975 dropped out to form Microsoft with friend
Paul Allen.  They believed that the computer would revolutionize the world.  Through this
belief  Gates has brought Microsoft from an unknown company to the worlds largest software
provider.

Microsoft

Since its meager beginning in 1975 Microsoft has grown into a software giant.  Their
software is on 90 percent of all personal computers and over 100 million units of the
Windows95 software has been shipped to date.  The company’s success is also shown in its
sales and profits.  In 1994 sales reached $4.9 billion and net profits were $1.2 billion.

Current Projects

On December 7, 1995 Gates decided on Microsoft’s next step.  He realized that nearly 20
million people were surfing the net with out using any Microsoft software.  An all day
program was staged to let the public know that they had every intention of producing
Internet software and winning over the majority of Internet users.  In order to show that he
meant business, Gates expanded the Internet Platform and Tools Division to 2500 employees. 
This was more personnel than the top five web browser combined.  



After this offensive Scott Winkler, vice-president and market researcher at Gartner Group
Inc. was quoted as saying, “People aren’t asking anymore if Microsoft will be killed by the
Internet but whether Microsoft will dominate the Internet.”(Business Week, 57).  In six
months time Bill Gates had changed the direction that Microsoft was going.  Jeffery
Katsenburg of DreamWorks SKG said, “I can’t think of one corporation that has had this kind
of success and after 20 years, ju!
 st stopped and decided to reinvent itself form the ground up.”
Since the kickoff of the Internet project, Microsoft has been working feverishly to
incorporate the Internet into its products.  They have successfully incorporated it into its
Windows95 and have also created new software called Microsoft  Network.

Business Philosophy

Bill Gates is a very fast moving person.  He feels that time is of the essence and that
every second counts.  In an interview conducted by Playboy magazine Gates was asked about
his management practices which was referred to as management by embarrassment, and also
about rumors that he has left personnel in tears.  Gates replied as follows:

     “I don’t know anything about employees in tears.  I do know that if people
      say things that are wrong, others shouldn’t just sit there silently.  They 
      should speak.  Great organizations demand a high level of commitment by 
      the people involved.  That’s true in any endeavor.  I’ve never criticized a 
      person.  I have criticized ideas.  If I think something’s a waste of time or 
      inappropriate I don’t wait to point it out.  I say it right away.  It’s real 
      time.  So you might hear me say, That’s the dumbest idea I have ever 
      heard many times during a meeting.”

Gates was also asked by Industry Weekly what he felt were his greatest challenges as the CEO
of Microsoft.  He replied with the challenge of making the transition from one era to the
next.  He thinks that a lot of times companies don’t know their lagging behind in the
industry or they don’t realize their problems until it is too late.  When they realize their
mistakes they can no longer correct them in time to keep the company in its current
position.  Gates was also asked in the same interview about the 



leadership qualities he most admires and replied, “Vision, innovation, long-term thinking,
and risk-taking.” (Industry Weekly, 13).

Method

The contents of this report were taken from the following magazines:

“Microsoft: a lesson in management,” Business Week, 15 July 1996, 98.

“ Gates wins respect,” Industry Weekly, 20 November 1995, 12(4)

Information was also taken from the following web sites:

http://ei.cs.vt.edu/~history/Bill.Gates.html (Playboy, 1994 interview)
http://www.microsoft.com/corpinfo/bill-g/billbio.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/corpinfo/about-ms.htm







Conclusion

Through great leadership, Gates has taken Microsoft from an unknown company to the lead of
the software industry. He is a very fast paced leader, and does not let any one or thing
stand in his way.  If it was not for Gates and Microsoft we might still be using the
electric typewriter for the task of writing and the file cabinet for
