Microsoft Spain: "flexible working is part of our company culture"

GALLERY. Microsoft has today staged its flexible work policy, and has done so in Madrid, on the occasion of the day of the Home Office.

Only 13.2% of Spanish companies has implemented a policy of flexible work. Microsoft Spain is one of them. Taking advantage of the celebration of the day of the Home Office, the company has shown the benefits of this strategy that works for 10 years.

The Central Nuevos Ministerios metro station Esplanade has welcomed during the morning part of the template of Microsoft Spain. A facility with sofas and umbrellas to protect themselves from the hot day has accommodated to the employees of the company.

The most curious people who approached to ask about what is celebrating just they have disturbed the concentration of workers who answered emails, made conference calls and there same team meetings. The Spanish division of software giant has sought to demonstrate that you can work from anywhere.

Microsoft has introduced its model of flexible working from a decade ago. "Every employee knows what are the results that must be getting and how we get so decides the employee", says the head of human resources, Blanca Gomez.

Flexible work is the opposite of a culture's presence. Microsoft wants employees to choose the optimum place to perform each task. "For work requiring concentration can you go to the library or do it from home," says Gomez, "the Office, our meeting place we have to work with others".

The essence lies in not putting barriers of any kind.Anyone who wants to go on a daily basis to the Office, you can do it. You won't have that objections will not pass in a month.

"The vast majority choose a hybrid system," says Gomez.

For employees who have worked today from the central Madrid square, flexibility means freedom and productivity. Silicon News explained "the good vibes" that exists between them due to this method of work. "You can go to find the kids to school and getting in the best way," indicates one of them.

To the question of whether so much freedom can become against of the company in terms of productivity, the head of HR is emphatic. "They do not abuse because they appreciate it," he says.

The secret, says, is not radicalize positions. "Flexible working is part of our corporate culture," he concludes.

Soria urges opting to ICT to boost the reindustrialization in Spain

The Minister of industry, energy and tourism has today inaugurated the event promoting SMEs in Madrid.

The Minister of industry, energy and tourism, José Manuel Soria, has been commissioned to inaugurate the meeting promoting SMEs today in Madrid.

Soria, who has been presented as "the Minister of SMEs" has done a review to the national reform Plan which has set up the Executive of Mariano Rajoy and pointed out that the economic trend goes in the right direction.

The Minister has defended the need to create the appropriate framework for investment, to make this growth and creation of employment later. Especially concerned about the fall of industrial weight in Spain; 20% in 2000 to 15% today, in terms of gross value added.

"Only with tourism not can generate employment", said Soria. You need a solid plan of re-industrialization, which will have a main character that will protrude from the rest: the ICT sector. He pointed to technologies such as Cloud Computing, they generate large profit margins.

The event promoting SMEs is being developed since the beginning of the year through 12 meetings in 12 Spanish cities. The aim is to promote contact between SMEs and companies driving experts.

The meetings are component of a series of talks are to small and medium-sized enterprises the main trends which adhere, the way to save costs and increase productivity or how to reach potential customers.

Representatives of Microsoft, post, Endesa or Philips have been uploaded onto the stage in Madrid to share experiences and advice to the audience.