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Summary: This is how management works at a lot of Microsoft. But.
Review: 12 Simple Secrets is an insightful look at how things get done in Bill Gates' company. David Thielen provides a wealth of info and anecdotes from his experience working with Microsoft presented with a light, often humorous, flair.The book covers several topics including how to hire the best employees, how to decide who to promote, how to operate a megacorporation with a startup's capital, etc. The concepts are simple and straightforward and can be applied to any business. This is book is great for managers, and is an even more powerful tool for entrepreneurs who have full control over decision-making within their company. If you own or want to start your own business, this is one of the books you should definitely read. 12 Simple Secrets of Microsoft is one of my favorite office desk references, and highly recommed it for managers and entrepreneurs who are motivated to bring out the best in themselves and in their people.
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Summary: Starting your own business? Get this book.
Review: 12 Simple Secrets is an insightful look at how things get done in Bill Gates' company. David Thielen provides a wealth of info and anecdotes from his experience working with Microsoft presented with a light, often humorous, flair. The book covers several topics including how to hire the best employees, how to decide who to promote, how to operate a megacorporation with a startup's capital, etc. The concepts are simple and straightforward and can be applied to any business. This is book is great for managers, and is an even more powerful tool for entrepreneurs who have full control over decision-making within their company. If you own or want to start your own business, this is one of the books you should definitely read. 12 Simple Secrets of Microsoft is one of my favorite office desk references, and highly recommed it for managers and entrepreneurs who are motivated to bring out the best in themselves and in their people.
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Summary: A good start for aspiring software managers
Review: Compared to other titles about Microsoft, this book provides a nice set of "best practices" in a rather compact form. While it's an entertaining read, filled with catchy, perhaps "eye-opener" remarks, it lacks the power of real examples. If you're desperately trying to find a motivational book for you and your bosses, it's definitely a good pick. However, if you're expecting an "insider's view", you'd probably get a bit disappointed. Smart advice is good, provided that the "truth" isn't separated from "context".
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Summary: a MUST-READ for prospective MS employees
Review: I purchased this book to get a better insight into the management methods within MS, and walked away with that and more.
I think the positioning for this book is off the mark - yes, it provides a quick list of the 12 principles that together make Microsoft unique, and yes, I agree that more companies need to apply these principles if they want to continue to grow and to succeed in the future. But the folks who need this book the most are those who are interested in working for Microsoft itself. Not the major niche the publisher is shooting for, of course, but I'm telling you - this book is a stellar resource for how people work and thrive in the MS culture. From my interaction with former and current employees, this book is dead-on.
I'm telling you -- read this book and you'll be better prepared for one of Microsoft's famous all-day interview loops.
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Summary: There has to be some truths here...
Review: Obviously the management strategies used at Microsoft must work, justify Mr Gates' success otherwise. Insiders, obviously have the best idea of what goes on, so this book really hits home. A great read, and certainly a recommended one. This book could easily help any Manager of any business make, at least, a small difference. A well set out and easy to understand book. Even I could make sense of it, and I'm just a blue-collar worker from Down Under. If you get the chance to read or buy this book, do so without hesitation.
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Summary: Insightful!
Review: The 12 Simple Secrets of Microsoft Management David Thielen presents Microsoft's management principles, which are the secrets to its marketplace dominance. He includes ample examples of what Microsoft does right and what most other corporations do wrong. You will learn why Microsoft's focus makes it the hardest company in the world to compete against. Yet, you will also find nuggets of management information that can be applied to your own workplace environment. Thielen has written a direct, refreshing, and sometimes brutal book. We [...] recommend this book to any business person who would like a quick review of the management principles that have guided Microsoft's success.
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Summary: we all know microsoft...
Review: The book shows itself to be highly subjective from the opening little story whose moral is: "Should have got an internship at Microsoft!" A lot of what they say in here about making developers' office space as comfortable and homelike as the developer pleases is definitely a good idea and this portion of the book I like. However, there are portions that advocate practises that I deem detrimental. For one, success is the only measure for respect or advancement in the organization, which only serves to turn the employees into workaholics fearful of falling behind their fellow man. This sort of atmosphere leaves no place for family men and women who would like a steady 40-50 hour work week where they know they'll have the weekends off to spend with their kids. But, this book suggests that Microsoft doesn't want those people, because it's bad for business. The problem is, not every company is so prestigious, has so many developers submitting resumes that they can be as selective as Microsoft. It's unreasonable, especially for companies located in an area that is not inundated with tech talent. Another bad point is how it says Microsoft's strategy is to push the envelope and do what other companies don't have the guts to do; such as be monopolistic, be immoral, engage in practises against the anti-trust laws. The book suggests Microsoft gets ahead by be more daring and doing what other companies won't because they are afraid of repurcussions. The problem is, many companies cannot disregard many of these things. Surely a company that is in a healthcare industry, or maybe has board members with opposing opinion, can't take these steps. Though, I agree it has worked well for Microsoft, where it all comes down to Bill. The basic thing I'm trying to convey is, though there are some sound ideas in the book, you really need to see if they fit in with what your company does, at what stage of life it's in, what is currently working or not working. This is not a Bible or magic bullet.
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Summary: Why can't all companies work this way?
Review: This book has a number of great principles, suggestions for implementation, and ample proof of their usefulness. Even adopting just a few of these ideas can make anyone a better manager. If this is not how you're company's being run, maybe your boss could use a copy. This book goes well with "The End of Office Politics as Usual" by L. B. M. Serven.
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Summary: Why can't all companies work this way?
Review: This book has a number of great principles, suggestions for implementation, and ample proof of their usefulness. Even adopting just a few of these ideas can make anyone a better manager. If this is not how you're company's being run, maybe your boss could use a copy. This book goes well with "The End of Office Politics as Usual" by L. B. M. Serven.
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Summary: Microsoft's Core Strength.
Review: This book puts forward a convincing case for the competitive advantage that exists in the Microsoft's management style: a Big company resources with a small company's agility and focus. Where other books talk about Microsoft's success and what they have done, this book show you how Microsoft became successful. Written in a racy manner, the author's style may remind you of a cookbook...eg: Tip#4: Require Failure Quickly -- recounts how Microsoft execs are denoted if they play it too safe and never fail. Tip#2: The Top 5 Percent: suggests ignoring the human resources department and hiring smart people, regardless of college degree and personal hygiene. Can Microsoft recipe for success really be this simple? Now that Microsoft's success is unraveling in the US Federal Court, perhaps the writer might add Tip#13: Using Market Dominance to Crush Rivals. After all, its big fish eat small fish world. What's wrong with that? Nothing, unless you are the fish! The book is written primarily for business managers seeking to emulate Microsoft's success, but I think investors can learn a lot of useful information. It's one thing investing in an IT company with good products and services, management style is important too. Its an eye opener, a mangement thriller and I must say much better than some boring management styles books ...and oh, as Tip#9 states: Bill IS "watching."
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