Product details

This case discusses in detail the visionary leadership of Bill Gates and his contribution to the information technology industry. It explores the entrepreneurial and managerial skills of Gates. The case also details Gates'' contribution to strengthen the product development, human resources and marketing management at Microsoft Corporation. Finally, the case examines the nature of the criticism of Gates'' leadership style. This case is designed to enable students to: (1) understand the role of an entrepreneur and a leader in creating a start-up and transforming it into a global player of repute; (2) study the role of a leader in the struggle, survival and success of a company in the initial and subsequent stages in a high technology industry marked by intense competition; (3) analyse the leadership qualities of Bill Gates and identify those characteristics that contributed critically to the success of Microsoft and made it the No 1 company in the software industry; (4) understand the significance and impact of a leader on an organisation''s culture, rapid growth and resounding success; and (5) examine and analyse the shortcomings of a leader in general, and Gates in particular. The case is targeted at MBA/PGDBA students and is intended to be part of the entrepreneurship curriculum. The teaching note does not contain an analysis of the case.