Microsoft India MD moves to US HQs

Microsoft India MD moves to US HQs

PRAGATI VERMA

TIMES NEWS NETWORK FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2005 12:40:15 AM

NEW DELHI: Indians are moving up the ladder in the global corporate arena.

Microsoft India managing director, Rajiv Kaul is moving to the software giant's Redmond headquarters to head the emerging market group, driving new strategies and business models for all emerging economies around the world including the BRIC countries.

Emerging countries are estimated to contribute about 40 % to 50 % of the Microsoft's business .

Rajiv will lead three teams in the US to devise strategies to create "next 100 million users of Windows"; create new business models and develop new partnerships suited for the emerging markets.

"Key focus area of the newly created role with will be to create 'billion new users of Windows' across the world. This will mean creating new products and designs like the Starter Edition and creation of new business models such as pre-paid, subscription-based and rural computing,'' says Rajiv Kaul.

"Senior people from Europe and Japan have expanded their scope to Redmond, but for the first time, senior level talent is being exported straight to Redmond,'' says Ravi Venkatesan, chairman, Microsoft India. India will be a key focus area, agrees Rajiv.

"While I expand my overall scope and focus in the new role, I will ensure that India continues to be the centre of gravity for all programmes,'' says Rajiv.

Earlier, Microsoft India managing director Sanjay Mirchandani had taken over as global vice-president, Microsoft (Asia-Pacific) three years back. But this is the first time that Microsoft's senior manager from India is moving straight to the headquarters.

Rajiv headed Microsoft's India subsidiary for four years during which the company doubled the business with a CAGR of about 27 %. Market estimates peg Microsoft's revenue in India at about Rs 1200 crore.

Some successful Indian programmes launched by Microsoft like Bhasha (local language initiative) and Shiksha ( IT education ) are already being implemented in several countries across the world.

The stripped down Windows XP Starter Edition designed for first- time home PC users in developing markets is also expected this year.