'Multicultural workplace boosts creative input'
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Michelle Simmons, senior director of marketing and operations for Microsoft (MS) Korea / Korea Times
By Kim Yoo-chul
For Michelle Simmons, Korea is a special place. It is not only because the U.S.-born senior director of marketing and operations for Microsoft (MS) Korea has produced good results but she has also experienced the multicultural working environment it provides.
She believes that MS Korea’s multicultural workforce is a key factor behind the firm’s sustainable growth.
She said that she is a part of the company’s “melting pot” business strategy, under which people from different countries and cultural backgrounds are encouraged to share diverse know-how and experience in one of the world’s most-wired societies.
``A multicultural workforce will boost creative input and eventually make a visible difference in business results. I’m happy to become one of them,’’ she said.
The American executive took her current position in 2011. The most important task was to understand the uniqueness of businesses in Korea and learn how to better handle key clients such as Samsung Electronics.
Many expected that Simmons would have a hard time proving herself as the right person to effectively manage MS’ crucial Windows 8 projects.
So far it seems everything is on the right track. Under her helm, Windows 8 is on track in its forward march since its October debut. Simmons remains upbeat over the outlook for the ongoing marketing activities in Korea.
``Our growth momentum is great. I am really excited that it will have (a positive) impact on the local economy. We are helping local developers create more content for use in the Windows 8 platform,’’ Simmons said in an interview with The Korea Times at her office in downtown Seoul, Thursday.
Its first-wave developers have crossed the $25,000 revenue mark, and now they keep 80 percent of the download revenue for the life of the application, Simmons stressed.
``As a marketing executive, this portion is really a good reason for software developers to create more at a rapid pace,’’ she said.
The executive, who resides in Seoul with her husband and their three daughters, praised Korea’s broadband penetration and expects that the wired-society has enabled Windows 8 to gain ground on the runaway leaders, helping it establish a firm foothold in a rapidly growing market.
``Now, I understand some form factors in doing business in Korea. With pushing customized strategies, MS is hoping to become a new game changer and I’m highly-confidant to lead that way,’’ the executive said.
``People may experience benefits on their existing PCs like battery life extended by up to 13 percent, boot time improved by up to 36 percent and on new PCs, a cold start time of under 10 seconds.’’
When asked about relationships with major clients, Simmons said she is investing more in TV commercials and expanding what she described as a ``student ambassador’’ program for local colleges to increase awareness and excitement about the new computing platform.
``Because I believe MS needs some form factors to lift the awareness of our new product, I’ve decided to launch various eye-catching promotional campaigns. People could experience Windows 8 in retail stores and named coffee shops,’’ she said.
According to the executive, its top-tier business partners such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are set to release more computing devices using the platform.
``I would say Samsung, LG and Microsoft, as well, are doing good work.’’ But she didn’t give any specific numbers and details such as next year’s sales target citing the sensitivity of the issue.
So far, MS has sold over 40 million licenses of the latest Windows platform, outpacing Windows 7. It has also inspired new devices as MS has 1,500 certified devices coming to the market over the coming weeks and months, according to MS officials.