Posted by Dan BrossSenior Director, Corporate Citizenship, Microsoft
Yesterday, I was pleased to participate in The Conference Board’s 2011 Symposium on Political Spending to discuss the principles and policies that guide Microsoft when we make political contributions.
We recognize that our company, our stakeholders (employees, shareholders and partners) and civil society as a whole, are all greatly impacted by the decisions of elected officials. As a result, we believe that constructive engagement in the political process on behalf of shareholders’ interest is an important element of good corporate citizenship. In the United States, this includes making political contributions.
Microsoft is recognized as one of a handful of corporate leaders in this area.
[Read more...]
Posted by Brad SmithExecutive Vice President & General Counsel, Microsoft
Employee charitable giving at Microsoft takes place all year round. But October is a special time for us here at the company, when our offices across the United States are transformed by the hundreds of giving events that make up our annual Giving Campaign.
In 2010, Microsoft employees across the U.S. volunteered their time, expertise and resources to community organizations, raising more than $96 million (with corporate matching) that benefitted over 16,000 community organizations. At the mid-point of this year’s giving campaign, I’m proud to say that we are on pace to beat last year’s impressive donation amount.
Our month-long giving campaign is just one of many ways that Microsoft gives back to the community, and it’s also a heck of a lot of fun.
Posted by John SeethoffVice President & Deputy General Counsel, Microsoft
With the approach of Microsoft’s annual shareholders meeting on Nov. 15th, I am excited to take a look back at some of the recent results of Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to promote the long-term interests of our shareholders, as well as to maintain internal checks and balances, strengthen management accountability, and foster responsible decision making.
· Corporate Citizenship: In March, Microsoft was one of a select few companies named to the Ethisphere Institute’s 2011 List of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. On Oct. 3rd, we released our annual Citizenship Report describing the many activities Microsoft has been pursuing under the dual themes of “Serving Communities” and “Working Responsibly.”
Posted by Bill HarmonAssociate General Counsel, Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit
A recent report shows the global cost of cybercrime is greater than the combined effect on the global economy of trafficking in marijuana, heroin and cocaine. That staggering statistic underscores the need for the industry, academic community and law enforcement – those working to combat cybercrime – to come together to share ideas and strategize on ways to fight the threat and make the online world safer for everyone.
That’s one of the reasons the Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit hosts the Digital Crimes Consortium (DCC), an annual, week-long conference that provides a rare opportunity for hundreds of law enforcement officials and members of the technology security community from around the world to come together to discuss and demonstrate the latest issues facing disruption and enforcement efforts involving cybercrime worldwide. This year’s event has included 340 attendees from 33 countries around the world. The topics covered at DCC are wide ranging, including everything from analyzing targeted attacks to industry efforts, like recent botnet takedowns, and new threats like mobile malware and security challenges posed by the cloud.
Posted by Fred HumphriesVice President of Government Affairs, Microsoft
Microsoft PAC (MSPAC) welcomed former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to our Redmond, Wash. campus today.
Since its founding in 1998, our employee political action committee has invited political leaders, policymakers, popular authors, celebrities and others representing a wide range of views to speak to Microsoft employees. The nearly 4,000 Microsoft employees who have joined MSPAC have expressed strong interest not only in hearing from those who are closest to important contemporary matters, but in sharing their own ideas. MSPAC provides this ongoing forum for discussion, engagement and education.