Editing Microsoft Corporation (section)

=== A Legacy of Innovation and Market Leadership   ===
At the dawn of 2014, Microsoft Corporation remained a cornerstone of the technology industry, its influence spanning decades of innovation and market dominance. With a portfolio that included the ubiquitous Windows operating system, the indispensable Microsoft Office Suite, the rapidly growing Azure cloud platform, and the popular Xbox gaming console, the company maintained a strong presence in both consumer and enterprise markets. Financially, Microsoft was robust, reporting $86.83 billion in revenue, a gross margin of $59.90 billion, and an operating income of $27.76 billion, reflecting its operational efficiency and financial health.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Investor/earnings/FY-2014-Q4/press-release-webcast |quote=Microsoft's 2014 revenue was $86.83 billion, with a gross margin of $59.90 billion and operating income of $27.76 billion. }}</ref> However, the tech giant faced significant challenges, including stagnating growth, internal cultural issues, and fierce competition from rivals like Apple, Google (Alphabet), Amazon, IBM, and Samsung.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://panmore.com/microsoft-corporation-generic-strategy-intensive-growth-strategies |quote=Microsoft's competitors in 2014 included Apple, Google (Alphabet), Amazon, IBM, and Samsung. }}</ref>  

A pivotal moment came in February 2014 with the appointment of Satya Nadella as CEO, succeeding Steve Ballmer. Nadella’s leadership marked a strategic shift towards a 'mobile-first, cloud-first' approach, focusing on digital transformation and leveraging big data to maintain Microsoft’s competitive edge.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abiedu.com/case-study-leadership-transformation-at-microsoft-under-satya-nadella/ |quote=Satya Nadella became CEO of Microsoft in February 2014, addressing challenges like stagnating growth, internal culture issues, and competition. }}</ref> This new direction aimed to address the company’s challenges while capitalising on its strengths, such as its extensive global partner network and ongoing investments in innovation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.microsoft.com/investor/reports/ar14/index.html |quote=Microsoft's market position in 2014 was supported by its broad product portfolio, global partner network, and ongoing innovation investments. }}</ref>