Microsoft Kazakhstan: we strive to be the country's best employer

During the first years after the local office of Microsoft was founded, its team was a young organization working in the conditions of rapidly developing economy. That was the time of transformation from small offices into bigger departments, representing a network of equal organizations and subdivisions. A number of other strategically important changes took place in the company at the same time, and all my predecessors managed their work well.

 At present Microsoft is going through a complicated transformational process. The number of new innovations, technologies (such as Mediaroom IP-TV, Unified Communications, Xbox and Xbox-Live, Microsoft Live Services, Azure Cloud Computing, Zune media players, Windows Mobile phones, Microsoft Surface) and presented products has never been so diverse as it is today. Of course, the competition level has increased, that is a positive fact for consumers and for such companies as Microsoft, as long as the permanent growth of innovative activity is necessary.

 New goals led to new kinds of relations with consumers and partners as well. The company was seeking for a strong leader with international experience, closely connected with management and common strategies. The specialist had to possess excellent skills in the sphere of management in local, regional and world sectors. He also had to be an innovator in the field of managing the local departments, local networks of departments and contacts with consumers at the level of international standards for contribution to the development of the country.

 The target of Microsoft Kazakhstan is to form the main department within the company and to achieve the status of the best employer of the country. The company strives to become one of the best corporative entities and contribute to the development of the country, different communities and social groups, state structures, consumers, partners and clients. 

 Kazakhstan is carrying through the state program of digital inequality reduction. How does Microsoft participate in the program? Is the concept of "corporate social responsibility" important for your company?

 Corporate social responsibility or corporate citizenship tops the list of major objectives of Microsoft and there are plenty of important initiatives in this field requiring significant contribution to their development.

 In whole this is quite a difficult task for the country by virtue of geographical size and the level of development of some rural areas. In this regard we provide support to such programs as reduction of digital inequality as well as implementation of our own projects. For instance, "Ashyk Alem" (Open world) project on provision of access to computers for people jointly with state bodies and commercial organizations. This is also realization of different projects within our global initiative "Unlimited opportunities" providing for assistance in improving the quality of teaching and education; support of local innovations; increasing employment level and opening new opportunities for obtaining new knowledge and abilities; support in increasing productivity of labor and competitiveness.

 The next step in realization of our innovative plans will be initiatives on automation of information processing and broadcasting news like in most world-known issues.

 One more aspect should be noted here. These are the programs for university students (Dream Spark), businessmen and the companies which have just started their activity (BizSpark) in accordance with which Microsoft supplies software for developers free of charge. All of this will lay sound foundation for the development of business-leadership in the country and will lead to fruitful cooperation of innovative companies and large organizations.

 Has the global financial crisis influenced Microsoft Corporation in whole and its office in Kazakhstan? How do you try to overcome the difficulties?

 The business model of our corporation is fully based on regional partnership. Our strategy of overcoming the difficulties together with our partners covers three aspects: help our partners stand the crisis and reach success in new economic conditions; help our clients save their money and get competitive advantages due to established infrastructure and optimization of platform; business-development and provision of new opportunities and solutions in such spheres as education, healthcare, production, software + service, internet-service, optimization of infrastructure and business relations.

 What are the plans of Microsoft regarding Kazakhstan?

 Supporting local employees and experts Microsoft Kazakhstan Company has chosen a right direction in development of opportunities of world level. Over the last six years we have promoted four local employees on very important positions. We are confident the Microsoft Kazakhstan will become a centre of innovations and leading experience in Microsoft Corporation.

 Thank you for the interview!