Running head: BILL GATES: A LEADER IN INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY
Bill Gates: A Leader in Innovative Technology
Richardo Coccia
Baker College
MGT 451R: Management Styles and Strategies
Tim Martin
July 8, 2008
Abstract
The Microsoft Corporation has been a giant in the software industry for over three decades. The company’s founders, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, put together an operating system for the computer world that ultimately captured the attention of every one on earth. However, it was Bill’s pure genius and leadership qualities that took software to a level that was unmatched by anyone. Paul was the mastermind behind the hardware that needed Bill’s software to operate effectively.
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Bill Gates: A Leader in Innovative
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They formed what they called the Lakeside Programmers Group (LPG). They would write programs, and read anything they could find on computing. They even started skipping classes and did not turn in their homework or, turned it in late. Unfortunately for Lakeside, they used up all of the computer time the school had raised the money for (Mirick, 1996).
In 1968, Computer Center Corporation (CCC) opened a business in Seattle that offered both, a computer and computing time at reasonable rates. However, their computers seemed to keep catching “bugs”. These bugs would ultimately slow down the computer’s speed and keep it from working properly. Lakeside and CCC reached a deal that would allow Lakeside’s students to use that computer time (Wallace, 1993, p.27). Gates and his friends did not take long to cause problems with this new computer. However, they caused the system to crash several times and destroyed the computer’s security system. The corporation then banned the students for several weeks. The CCC began to suffer financially in the late 1960’s, and the students (LPG) were then hired to find any bugs and expose any weaknesses in the system. The CCC went out of business in 1970. The LPG now had to find a way to get computer time (Wallace, 1993, p.30). In 1971, Gates and Allen decided to start a company called Traf-O-Data. They built a small computer that was used to measure traffic flow. This computer
Microsoft has developed into an inescapable force within the technological field. Coming from a delayed humble beginning, it has had to devote large sums of money to approach the levels of the founding technological companies. Today, Microsoft controls the market in computer software. How they have achieved this status is what some have come to question. Through “bundling” software programs, manipulating other computer companies, and packaging deals with personal computers, Microsoft has managed to eradicate nearly all competitors in the computer software market (Love, 1997). This near monopoly affects the entire spectrum of classes, including the consumer, other networking providers,
Guided by a belief that the computer would be a valuable tool on every office desktop and in every home, they began developing software for personal computers. Gates' foresight and his vision for personal computing have been central to the success of Microsoft and the software industry. Under Gates' leadership, Microsoft's mission has been to continually advance and improve software technology, and to make it easier, more cost-effective and more enjoyable for people to use computers. The company is committed to a long-term view, reflected in its industry-leading investment in research and development each year (Microsoft, 2011).
When people think of a hero they think of Superman, Batman, or Spiderman, but what they should think of are people that make difference. Bill Gates has made a huge difference in today’s world; he is an extremely successful entrepreneur, an active philanthropist, and a very motivated person in general. With this motivation he has and will accomplish anything he puts his mind to. He was CEO of Microsoft and became the richest man in the world. He also created one of the most credible and generous charitable organization in the world. As a positive influence on today’s world, Bill Gates has proven himself as person with his good work ethic, positive attitude, and great accomplishments.
A. Attention Getter: As college students, it is in our nature to procrastinate, whether it be doing essays hours before they’re due, 8 page research papers the night before, rushing to do last minute slides for a presentation or writing your informative speech that’s a third of our grade, during every break I had. We all, including myself, procrastinate. We can all thank Bill Gates for making our times of procrastination slightly more bearable by creating the Microsoft software that is accessible, easy to use and constantly evolving to meet consumer needs.
Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are intelligent innovative thinkers who have always new things to show and give to the world, and both of them are known as the best-known entrepreneurs of the personal computer revolution in the modern age. These two entrepreneurs may both work in the field of technology, but they also have many differences to distinguish themselves from one another.
Not long after that did he was introduced to his future partner in business Steve Wozniak through a friend.
Mr. Gates’ also explains how Microsoft tackled the challenge of integrating the Internet to be compatible with various Microsoft products. The biggest dilemmas were determining what should be incorporated into the existing Microsoft products, what should be packaged as new products, and how should the Windows Operating System support the Internet. He gives frequent examples of how the other competing computer industry giants were able to succeed in the computer industry. A lot of success he points out was made through trial and error as well as learning from one’s mistakes. He talks about how Microsoft has learned from projects that have failed such as the Multiplan spreadsheet that went on to be developed into Microsoft Excel, and the Omega database that would become Microsoft Access. One suggestion that Mr. Gates makes in achieving company success is by
Bill Gates made a lot of changes to the way the world operates through technology and made life at lot easier for other people around the world. Bill Gates (also known as William Henry III or Trey) is an American entrepreneur, business mogul, investor, philanthropist, and one of the most richest and influential people in the world. He was also known as the best businessman in the 20th century. In his years as a child, he had the attitude for math and science as well as showing interest in computer programming in his teenage years.
Bill Gates is one of the most visionary leaders of our time. He created in his mind the idea of the greatness of computerized systems and that vision even though far at that time transformed in our present. He foresaw that computers will be an essential part not only in future business but in the lives of Americans. His efforts and strategic planning delivered him the opportunities to develop different operating systems including Windows. Windows Software has been an essential key in his financial success because this software took the market by storm providing customers the opportunity to multitask and leave behind the systems that were operated only on a command based entry. His revenues after the expansion of his company has made him been ranked by Forbes as the richest man on earth for the last thirteen years. During the years he served as chairman of Microsoft he established new ways to deal efficiently with human resources issues; like for the hiring process he stated in the past that he prefers intelligence over experience in an employee because they are easier to train and to adapt to the world of Microsoft.
Software is the basis of technology. Without software most of the devices used today would not work as they do. Bill Gates, the cofounder of Microsoft, is one of the people who are thanked for the software used today. A hero can be someone who has shown act of courage in the danger, someone who has help to preserve and protect the planet, or someone who has made innovations to help to enhance every day life. Bill Gates is consider a modern day hero because of the innovations he has made in the world of computer software.
“You’ve got to find what you love,” I completely agree with Steve Jobs. Everyone searches for happiness and what they live for. He had gone through a lot to figure out what he loved. Steve’s three stories were very influencing. To be young and having to figure out what to do with his future and to make a living, was it worth it for him to do what he loves? He made me think that it was worth it in the end. Steve went through hard times, but ultimately he lived a very successful life. Steve had chosen a college that was not fairly cheap. He chose that school and did not even like attending it. His parents strived to even let him afford to go to college. Eventually he dropped out. He was making his parents happy for going, but he was not
William Henry Gates, III was born October 28, 1955 in Seattle, Washington. He was the middle child of three born to William and Mary Gates. ATrey,@ as he was called because of the III, was sent to a private school by his father, a lawyer, and mother, a former teacher now on several prestigous boards (Moritz, 238). At age 13, Bill had completely taught himself programming after taking a computer studies class. After scoring a perfect 800 on the mathematics half of the SAT, he graduated from Lakeside school and enrolled at Harvard University as a prelaw major. As a student Gates was a wonder. He received an A in an economics class without attending and cramming the night before the final exam. In June 1975, Bill Gates dropped
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a foundation that supports other organizations who share its guiding belief that every life has equal value. Located in Seattle, Washington, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have an asset trust endowment of 36.2 billion dollars as of September 30, 2012. It supports grantees in all 50 states and 100 countries internationally in areas of global development, global health, United States program, and a smaller charitable support initiative sector. Bill Gates, Melinda Gates, and Warren Buffett give direction to CEO Jeff Raikes and co-chairmen William H. Gates Sr. regarding grant allocation and investments. (Gates Foundation)
Bill Gates is not only a genius, but also an innovator in education, technology, and philanthropy. A prodigy, Bill Gates shares an education fact with Abraham Lincoln, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and even his competitor Steve Jobs: no college degree. Instead, he devoted his time to his passion for technology, going on to create the most profitable technology company in the world. For much of the past decade, Gates allocated both his profit and attention to philanthropy. Evidence of his innovation, industry and curiosity can be seen at an early age.
All started when Bill Gate and Paul Allen, two friends that as early as 13 years old started to mess around with computers, drop out of college to create their own business. This business founded April 4, 1975 is known today as Microsoft Corporation. Allen and Gates created a basic interpreter for computers, that was rejected by Digital Research, but later on IBM made a contract with them. The creation of the MS-DOS for IBM in mid-80’s gave Microsoft the high rock success that still last till this day, making them the dominant operating system for personal computers. Likewise, Microsoft became at a later time the leading business in office suite software better known as Microsoft Office.