Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella made public an email containing more than 3,000 words that outlined a new strategy for Microsoft. The divulgence of the company memorandum was followed by a swirl of mainstream and IT news coverage.
That coverage includes details of possible layoffs at the computer software company. Analysts say Nadella's decision to publish the email was also a strategic move to keep eyes on the company's committment to repositioning itself in the market.
As recent reports point out, Microsoft has divulged internal communications to the public before, or it was sometimes leaked out, even under the reign of former CEO and co-founder Bill Gates. Most companies attempt to keep a lid on that kind of thing, but analysts predict that the move is a public relations maneuver to keep the public's mind on the idea that Microsoft is moving into the future with better ideas and a clear vision under Nadella.
Steve Ballmer, in fact, wrote an email outlining a company strategy to reorganize Microsoft to better serve a collaborative need focused on devices and services. Nadella's email was reportedly similar to the Ballmer email publicized a year ago.
Nadella may have been sending a message to both employees at Microsoft as well as the company's investors to signal fiscal priorities within the company. The earnings quarterly is approaching and Nadella may need to soothe investors by offering a motive to move the company ahead. That motive may be layoffs.
Differing from Ballmer's agenda, a report concludes, Nadella's strategy will be to offer a "mobile-first and cloud-first" approach to Mircrosoft's upcoming overall approach. The report also concluded that Nadella plans corporate culture "shake ups" that include reorganizing the company.
Nadella believes that the company is more strongly suited to productivity and platforms versus an Apple-like strategy of vertically integrated device and service offerings. Critics of Ballmer's plan argued that the two companies were different in that respect. Microsoft could likely benefit from a strategy involving keeping its core user base that has grown to include more productivity and platform savvy users.
A report outlined many pieces to take from Nadella's statement. One includes the suggestion that Microsoft users can expect more to come from Cortana, Microsoft's voice recognition response to Apple's Siri. Google Now will also be a force in the mix. Nadella also referred to a new possible product called Delve. The device was described as a machine learning tool for businesses, who are core to Microsoft's customer base.
Nadella wants employees to get with it or pack up, the report continues.
"Nothing is off the table in how we think about shifting our culture to deliver on this core strategy," wrote Nadella.
He promised changes that could include new hires, partnerships, acquistions and other changes. The X-box and consumer products will still be a Microsoft target and the company will also start to target customers highlighting the company's strides in privacy protections.
