Microsoft is notoriously laser-focused on products, limiting its creative thinkers to ideas that will keep the Windows and Office profit machines churning.
That narrow obsession is what has sustained Microsoft's remarkable financial success for more than three decades. It's also the obstacle that made it a runner-up to Apple (AAPL, Fortune 500), Google (GOOG,Fortune 500) and Facebook (FB) in crucial consumer categories like smartphones, tablets, music, media, search, and social networking.
Even Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500) Kool-Aid drinkers have to admit that the once-revolutionary software maker has been out-innovated on too many fronts over the past decade.
That's why Microsoft set up a large but under-the-radar research division outside of any of its product groups. It's where some of the world's brightest minds are let loose to invent just about anything they'd like -- regardless of how it fits in with the company's business strategy. Microsoft Research is where the company's legendary red tape goes to die.
The result: The division's 850 researchers are creating some truly mind-blowing stuff.
"We're one of the only basic research groups in world with free reign to push the boundaries of science and technology," says Kevin Schofield, chief operating officer of MSR. "It's designed to make sure our researchers see as little bureaucracy as possible."
That freedom has sparked now-in-development projects like a robot that goes to work for you, motion control technology for laptops, 1,300-inch HD screens, and even a tiny butterfly that measures your blood pressure.
If any one of those projects turns into an actual product, Microsoft has the chance to lead a new market ahead of its rivals.
No comments:
Post a Comment