18/CANADIAN HR STRATEGY
M
icrosoft Canada prides itself on be-
ing a company that's passionate
about innovation — and that's not
limited to its technology. The orga-
nization focuses not just on innova-
tive tech but also on innovative peo-
ple practices, which are integrated
into its overall philosophy, according
to Janet Kennedy, president of Microsoft Canada in Toronto.
It's not so much about the organization's human resources polices
in isolation; rather, it's about the overarching culture at Microsoft
Canada the makes Kennedy excited to go to work every morning.
"I truly feel like we're part of something bigger — something that
gives back and is able to change people's lives," she said at a Great
Place to Work Institute event in Toronto in April.
There are a handful of different areas that make an organization
a great place to work — all of which have to do with people, she
said. And the tone of Microsoft's culture can be summarized in one
phrase: "Come as you are, do what you love."
"If you think about that, isn't that what everybody really wants to
do at their job — to be able to come every day and be yourself, and
do something that you're passionate about?" she said.
Microsoft Canada embraces
cutting-edge people practices
2.0
By Liz Bernier
Resources
Human
PHOTO:
REUTERS/JIM
YOUNG
