Microsoft is an amazing company to work for. It's an incredible environment where we as employees all are encouraged to realize our potential in everything we do. As a person, I've developed so much in just the last couple of years, and on so many different levels too. And really, it's the way Microsoft does things that inspires me. Here's a case in point.

Last week the whole company (minus only a few with prior super important engagements), nearly one hundred of us in all, spent a couple of days together in a team-building experiential off-site. What does that mean? That means, the whole company split into four assigned groups, participating in various reasonably rigorous physical activities, all in the name of team-building. Kinda like an army boot camp, but no where near as strenuous, and much less, “Yes, Sir!”. And the physical activities? Stuff like swinging from ropes, climbing 12 foot walls, abseiling, negotiating obstacle courses, trekking through the tropical jungle in the middle of the night, various other “team“ activities out in the Malaysian sun (or night)... oh boy.

I was in team 'A' which was later to be known as team ACE. Here we are. Happy bunch. So where was this? Genting Highlands; so not that far from Kuala Lumpur. It was certainly an experience for me, as I'm not what you would call a 'nature person'. You can probably tell that from my expression in this company-wide 'outside' activity. I think the caption should read, “Oookay we're listening.. you want us to stand here and do what??“. Guess which one is me (clue: the handsome one, third from the left). ;-P

So, in the end what did it all mean to me.

  • Well, I learnt a couple of things about myself; you do that when absaling down 60ft drops.
  • I got paired up with the Enterprise and Partner Group Director as my room mate. That was definitely cool!
  • I learned a lot more about my fellow employees, that brought us closer; this was really the highlight for me.
  • And the list goes on...

Good on you, Microsoft!. I don't know many other companies that take time out like this to invest and develop their staff.