IBA, UNIVERSITY OF DHAKA

MANAGING PEOPLE AT WORK

MIDTERM EXAMINATION
TIME 1 HOUR
TOTAL 30 (3 x 10) POINTS

1. What were the key instruments of the recruitment process Microsoft had conventionally
been using? What adaptations took place later to the recruitment practices in terms of
quality and source of talent pool and attracting that pool? Which one, in your opinion, is a
vulnerable factor for Microsoft’s recruitment process? Justify your answer.

2. Microsoft’s ability to attract, motivate and retain superior people is its core source of
competitive advantage. Do you agree? Why or Why not? What is the implication of
adding the new piece namely “work-life balance” to Microsoft culture? Do you think that
can affect the overall performance of employees as well as the organization’s proven
successful culture? Justify your answer.

3. What does “n minus 1rule” stand for? What were the implications of this rule in
Microsoft? Is it appropriate for a company with so many resources to operate on “n
minus 1” philosophy?