“This deal brings together the world’s leading professional cloud with the world’s leading professional network,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella wrote announcing that Microsoft will buy professional social network LinkedIn. “It’s clear to me that the LinkedIn team has grown a fantastic business and an impressive network of more than 433 million professionals.”
In the video below, Nadella says he asks himself “What’s most needed in today’s world?” And LinkedIn was the answer. “For sure I’m a deep believer in productivity tools and communications tools because that’s what empowers people.” Nadella then imagines those tools in the hands of the 433 million LinkedIn professionals who will now be increasingly empowered by Microsoft cloud services and Office software. As Nadella imagines it: “a LinkedIn newsfeed that serves up articles based on the project you are working on and Office suggesting an expert to connect with via LinkedIn to help with a task you’re trying to complete.” Nadella explains on the video that what’s most important is “really having the entirety of your professional life be enhanced, empowered.” Microsoft will pay $26.2 billion for LinkedIn.