MITCHELL PHOENIX IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MICROSOFT LIMITED
BACKGROUND
Microsoft is one of the world's leading suppliers operating and applications software including the top selling
MS-DOS and Windows. Microsoft Ltd in the UK is a sales and technical support operation.
Mitchell Phoenix's association with Microsoft Ltd started in 1988.
DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS
Microsoft Ltd has been growing rapidly (up to 59% per
annum) since 1985 and the number of employees has
increased to over 2500 in the same period. The
company employs young people (the average age is
29 years) and it has a growing and demanding
customer base.
Microsoft's initial choice of Mitchell Phoenix was
based on two key requirements:
 To boost the all round management and
leadership skills of young and relatively
inexperienced managers emerging from sales
and technical backgrounds
 To build a strong foundation of corporate
management practices and attitudes as a basis
for future growth
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND
PARTICIPANTS
The UK Managing Director and three groups of senior
and middle managers started the development
process in 1988. The process involved senior
managers taking part in interactive, intensive group
seminars on 13 days during the period to 1991 giving
them both the opportunity and requirement for
implementation of new ideas at work between
sessions. The process was structured into three
phases: Governing Change, Quality in Decision-
Making and Time Management and Strategic Thought
and Action.
Since 1990, 35 groups of middle and junior managers
have taken part in the same development process,
and 17 groups have participated in an Introduction to
Leadership programme.
From 1992 to 1996, all middle and junior managers
participated in Appraisal modules
www.mitchellphoenix.com
and Recruitment modules have been organised for
fourteen groups.
Selected senior managers have participated in a
shadowing programme that includes one-to-one
consultancy days in the workplace, and middle
managers have received half-day on-site coaching
sessions.
A Client Management Development programme was
developed and implemented for the Consultancy
Division of Microsoft Ltd.
RESULTS
In an environment of fast growth, this development
process has enabled Microsoft Ltd to build a culture in
which managers at all levels understand and work to
the same "ground rules". Planning, time management
and teamwork both within and across departments
have been enhanced by bringing together managers
who can work effectively together.
Young relatively inexperienced managers have quickly
developed the people skills necessary to manage a
team and have a strong awareness and understanding
of fundamental management principles. This has
given them the confidence to accept responsibility, to
delegate effectively and to cope with the pressures
induced by competitive growth and an increasing
workload.
Microsoft Ltd has developed a stronger foundation of
management practices from which to meet market
challenges. It is now company policy that new recruits
or appointees participate in this development process.
They currently send selected senior managers through
the public ‘Governing Change’ programme.