An American (Company) in Paris
Simon Moores interviews Microsoft European CEO, Jean Philippe Courtois, for The Observer on Sunday.
Being an American in Paris, and indeed in the rest of Europe, these days isn't what it used to be for US companies.
One consequence of the friction with Europe over the war with Iraq is that wrapping yourself in the stars and stripes no longer affords a competitive advantage. And the expansion of the European Union means it's increasingly important to brandish European credentials.
For big, brash Microsoft, the 'apple pie' of the American software industry, one would think the problem would be particularly acute.
The company's chief executive officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa, is a Frenchman, Jean-Philippe Courtois. Of Microsoft's 50,000 workforce, only 12,000 (22 per cent) work for Courtois in Europe. In contrast with other leading technology companies, such as Hewlett Packard, Unisys and IBM, Microsoft's development w…
Simon Moores interviews Microsoft European CEO, Jean Philippe Courtois, for The Observer on Sunday.
Being an American in Paris, and indeed in the rest of Europe, these days isn't what it used to be for US companies.
One consequence of the friction with Europe over the war with Iraq is that wrapping yourself in the stars and stripes no longer affords a competitive advantage. And the expansion of the European Union means it's increasingly important to brandish European credentials.
For big, brash Microsoft, the 'apple pie' of the American software industry, one would think the problem would be particularly acute.
The company's chief executive officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa, is a Frenchman, Jean-Philippe Courtois. Of Microsoft's 50,000 workforce, only 12,000 (22 per cent) work for Courtois in Europe. In contrast with other leading technology companies, such as Hewlett Packard, Unisys and IBM, Microsoft's development w…