We also have a company culture that encourages innovation. Every year Microsoft holds a Hackathon event, bringing together employees from all areas of the company to create, innovate and hack together. Our staff members have come up with a lot of innovative ideas and have brought some of those ideas into reality. For example, 2 of our Chinese employees developed an app called "Go Home" which uses facial recognition technology and cloud computing to look for missing children.

What has been the biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

I think the biggest challenge Microsoft has faced in China during my time at the company has been our internal and external transformation. In terms of internal transformation, this refers to the transformation of our mindset. To succeed in China we must operate with the mindset of a SMB or a startup. With this sort of mindset, Microsoft will stay competitive in an ever-evolving market.

As for external transformation, this refers to transformation across all our businesses as a solutions provider. This external transformation is predicated upon believing in our employees, working closely with our partners, and really listening to our customers.

Maintaining a healthy and green lifestyle is becoming an important attribute for CEOs. How about you?

I am fond of skiing, biking, and golfing and try to do that as much as I can. In terms of the way I use resources, I operate an entirely paperless office. Except for the documents that must be signed and chopped, everything I do happens on my Surface, primarily in OneNote or Outlook.

Bio of the CEO

Ralph Haupter currently serves as Microsoft Corporate VP, CEO of GCR. In this role, he is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of Microsoft GCR, and will fully optimize, integrate and capitalize on Microsoft's business and investment in China to ensure a sustainable growth and success. Ralph Haupter directly reports to the President of Microsoft International Jean-Philippe Courtois.

Haupter is a 9 year veteran of Microsoft, having delivered excellent and sustainable results in growth and profitability and repeatedly proving his ability to build and grow high-performing, diverse organizations.

Prior to this position, Haupter worked as VP of Microsoft Germany, where he own all Marketing Budgets in the German Subsidiary, and is responsible for marketing and positioning of all Microsoft commercial products, and lead the daily sub business alignment; before becoming the German AVP, he served as COO for Microsoft Germany. He previously served as head of the partner division for Europe, Middle East & Africa and General Manager of Microsoft's Small and Midmarket Solutions & Partners group for Western Europe.

Prior to Microsoft, Ralph Haupter worked for IBM both in Germany and internationally, where he passed executive Leadership training, and worked in a WW task force (9 people) for Mike Lawrie, at his point of time SVP WW Sales & Marketing IBM.

Born in Stuttgart, Germany, he received the bachelor of engineering and MBA degree in 1992 and 1998 respectively. Ralph is married with two children, in his spare time he is fond of skiing, biking, golfing, and has been a semi professional musician for about 10 years.