IV. Read the Case carefully and answer the questions. Microsoft Company: Performance Management The Microsoft Company stands as one among the most successful and wealthiest companies in the United States of America and the world as a whole. For matters concerning human resource management, the company is an employee driven organization. Technologically, Microsoft is way ahead of other companies and the company success has always been based on the employees' efforts. The company has always placed its employees among the very important component for its success. Performance- Culture Model Since its foundation, the co-owner, Bill Gates always believed that employee ownership was critical in improving motivation and also enabling the company retains its employees for a longer period. The company thus offered its employees high wages and options of owning equities by buying shares from the company based on the performance once it was listed on the stock | exchange. The aim of offering stocks based on the performance and reward was and still remains that the employees are motivated to perform better due to the increased bonuses awards and stock options. The performance goals of the employees were measured against the company objectives which were shortened to the word *SMART, Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results based and Time bound\" (Silistre, 2007) and the rewards could be based depending on how one had attained the above. The review process included common assessments by the managers to ensure that there were no deviations to the required standards and also the system also has options for self- assessment who then forwards the reports to the managers for them to do the evaluation. Thereafter, the manager and the employees meet to discuss the assessment and what needs to be done. The stock options awards are usually given only to those customers who seem to be long term assets to the company and this works to the best of the company as it tries to retain its best and most efficient employees