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Visiting The Offices of Microsoft China

written by John Chow on March 21, 2009

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While in Shanghai, I have the opportunity to visit many high tech and Internet based companies. One of the biggest high tech firms doing business in China is Microsoft. Their headquarters are located on the 8th, 9th and 10th floor of the Grand Gateway Plaza in Downtown Shanghai. That’s where that fancy Häagen-Dazs is.

Like many high tech companies, security is pretty tight so video taping was limited to very general stuff, like the company lunch room and kitchen which is stocked with free drinks. This didn’t stop me from snooping around to see what kind of trouble I could get myself into. I promise to not reveal the identity of the Microsoft employee with the iPhone.

A visit to Microsoft China shows what kind of opportunities are available for employees of a multinational. Like all multinationals, Microsoft has offices all over the world and employees looking for a change can request a transfer to not just another division, but a whole other country. The China operations are run about the same as the US operations. Because there are less employees, the Shanghai office is a tight knit group. Like all MS offices, Microsoft China has no dress code and employees have no set in stone work work hours. They are free to take a few hours for lunch or play some games in the rec room. Just don’t expect to go home when deadline comes.

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I like the video very much .It gives the idea of Microsoft inner life.Rather free and comfortable.

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Well thats the practice of all multinational companies ... enjoy your stay but complete the wirk before month ending or dead line.

I was shocked when I read, there is no set in stone work hours. But was relieved when you said, don't expect to go home when deadline comes because in engineering or software product, a company hires you to meet deadlines and hot to have fun in a rec.

I really like this kind of environment where you have no restriction. You are free when to come to office, no dress code. Obviously when there is deadline, you have to work then.

Nice video, John

Sometimes I forget that they have an office in Shanghai.

Where is Bill Gates Office, I could not see it. Did you got any free software to giveaway in your blog? Should be a very appealing opportunity.

This is really cool to see. More and more, I see companies that are heavily involved in innovation give their employees some freedom as long as they deliver on time. My company does that too and I personally can say that it works. I feel more dedicated to deliver results by not taking my "freedom" for granted.

Wow great video about Microsoft, Thank John!

I am sure they had a lavish decor.. I know they are really good at "investing" in such area..

wow..interesting! This is my first time seeing office of Microsoft, but I saw a lot photos for Google office in email. :)
Thanks for sharing John!

Regards,
Lee

microsoft is very big comapany with branch office in everywhere

Did they give you any phones or computers to keep for free?

That would've been a good contest giveaway..

John we don'T listen to you for mission possible , we ask for you , for the mission impossible :

Shanghai Office
45F Plaza 66
1266 Nanjing West Road
Shanghai 200040, PRC
Web: http://www.apple.com.cn

Yeah, this one I'd like to see too.

John, is this not the same video you showed in the past.

I take a visit to the MS office every time I'm in Shanghai.

Don't think there are many secrets to steal, unless you want to share how to make an OS not work properly.

haha. true.

I really would have thought Microsoft employees would get Zunes to rock the corp brand in public...atleast you did not identify the owner on the iPhone...otherwise Bil Gates would cut that worker lol.....great vid!

They should probably provide iPhones and iPods for everybody but fit them with Microsoft's Windows Mobile edition.

Awesome video, wonder how big their Lost Prevention department is over there.

Hey, what camera do you use--nice quality..

It's a Flip Mino HD I believe he uses.

Ya but quite hazzy. Anyways I am sure Microsoft employees use ipods too and not zune.

Lol, can't believe you said "NICE QUALITY". Try some of the new cell phones and they are very high in quality.

-Mike

Iphone in MS office. Thats interesting.

They're obviously an intelligent group of workers who make a decent wage. Why wouldn't they carry the best phone on the market?

Because it's competition! It's funny though, because I just read an article a few days ago about how Bill Gates won't allow anything by Apple in his house.

thats cool John. You get to go anywhere you want. Did you just got the coke for free! I never get a free coke. hahah. Nice little office. Enjoy!