Microsoft to Raise Employee Compensation in Effort to Retain Talent (MSFT)

Microsoft Corporation MSFT plans to broadly raise employee compensation to attract and retain top talent, CEO Steve Ballmer said in an internal memo obtained by Reuters on Thursday. Microsoft must improve the way it rewards and supports its most talented staff, Ballmer said. "Through our history, we have been THE place people came when they wanted to make a difference in the world through software, hardware and services," the CEO said in the memo. "This is as true today as it has been at any time in our history, and the changes we're rolling out today will help ensure Microsoft continues to be the place that top talent comes to change the world." The company will tie bonuses and stock awards closer to performance, with the review process also undergoing changes, Ballmer said. Microsoft Corporation is engaged in developing, manufacturing, licensing and supporting a range of software products and services for different types of computing devices. It carries a market capitalization over $200 billion. Shares closed lower by $0.24 on Thursday, to $25.52.