Client Value Story

Microsoft’s 2-Year L&D Strategy: Aligning Business Goals with a Culture of Learning

Applied within the Context of the Consumer Sales Organization (CSO) Division.

Opportunity/Challenge

Microsoft looked to align their Learning and Development (L&D) and capability strategies for 2023 with the consumer business strategy within the Gaming Business Unit, which falls under the Consumer Sales Organization (CSO). This end-to-end program reflects Microsoft’s commitment to fostering an environment where continuous learning and innovation are encouraged and are part of the organizational culture.

As a global technology leader, Microsoft’s core business includes a broad range of products and services, from software development to cloud computing, requiring an agile, proficient, and continuously evolving workforce, especially with a recent focus on AI and Gaming. The scale of Microsoft’s business creates opportunities and challenges for the L&D and capability strategy work.

These challenges were not confined to the knowledge and expertise but include developing a capability infrastructure that was agile, scalable, and in step with the rate at which the market and technology is changing specifically with a focus on Co-Pilot and Generative AI. In response to this, the Capability Strategy program was facilitated with the goal of developing an L&D framework that speaks to near term (18 months) and speaks to future proofing which is the core remit for the L&D team, commonly referred as future focused.

The drive to mobilize Microsoft’s strategy was delivered with the awareness of the challenges presented. These included aligning learning outcomes with business strategy and people goals, re-defining traditional cross-functional collaborations, and ensuring that learning interventions are relevant and impactful across different levels within the organization.

The 2-year Capability Strategy is Microsoft’s response to the demand for an L&D framework that anticipated and shaped the future skills environment in a proactive rather than a reactive manner. It is an admission that learning, adapting, and innovating are critical skills in a field that is changing quickly. This program is a step in Microsoft’s effort to build an inclusive, dynamic, and L&D ecosystem that supports the company’s vision of empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

“Your company’s consistent delivery of high-quality work, coupled with your amazing coaching skills, strategic foresight, and human-centric approach, positions you as my go-to choice. The synergy in our thinking and your commitment to understanding and addressing my needs have been instrumental in our successful collaboration.”

Petra Wager
Head of Sales Capability Development (Consumer Sales & Marketing Team) at Microsoft

Solution and Implementation

The Listening & Engagement Plan was key to the learning and development strategy in that it was a thorough facilitated process (horizontal, vertical, and diagonal input) from the business. The first phase of this included a series of structured 1:1 sessions that the L&D team facilitated. It was both input to the build of the organization capabilities and served as affirmation and input to the evolving short list.

This cooperative endeavor played an important role in ensuring that the strategy was not only representative of the Microsoft’s FY24 goals but also oriented towards the future directions of the technology sector and the wider market environment. The implementation of the strategy was a facilitated end-to-end process that added in eComm SME and built the key strategic frames associated with the work and organizational alignment around it.

Anchored in the Listening & Engagement Plan, this first phase of Microsoft’s L&D capability strategy program resulted in a nuanced comprehension of challenges and opportunities. The insights gained were particularly enriched by the strategic consulting and coaching services offered in organizational learning and capability, with access to subject matter experts. This expertise, especially the third-party SME knowledge in eCommerce, was pivotal in enabling the L&D team to engage in meaningful discussions and elevate their knowledge at a key time.

The second phase of the Microsoft’s L&D capability strategy program involved constructing master storytelling frameworks to enable the L&D team, ensuring the internal teams at Microsoft were aligned and equipped to create strategic content that echoes the company’s broader objectives.

A significant aspect of the program was the emphasis on strategic alignment, ensuring that all L&D initiatives were in sync with Microsoft’s overarching business goals, people, and strategic priorities. This alignment was crucial in maximizing the impact of the L&D initiatives, setting up not just individual learning outcomes but also contributing to enabling organizational growth and competitiveness.

Results and Future Outlook

Microsoft’s 2023 capability strategy program was an affirmation of the company’s continued dedication to learning and development excellence and being at the forefront of what that means in the technology landscape.

Microsoft embodies what it looks like when 70% of the learning is done on the job paired with a strategic business framework and a cultural enabler. This sets up learning as dynamic, significant, and essential to the business’s ongoing success and innovation in the technology sector. Combined with a vigilance to be future-focused, an integration into the day-to-day business and lifting the role of the manager result in the sustainability and impact we all value.

FY23 Strategic Program delivery resulting in our client receiving prestigious award.

“The authenticity and consistent innovation your company demonstrates, regardless of the project or context, is commendable. Your deep understanding of the dynamics within Microsoft, coupled with the ability to identify and engage key stakeholders effectively, showcases your commitment to not just meet but exceed expectations. Your approach to co-innovation and strategic communication is truly a part of your company’s DNA, making you an invaluable thinking partner and leader through change.”