Why is Microsoft buying LinkedIn?

Microsoft just surprised the world with its LinkedIn acquisition. Valued at $26.2 billion, it's a huge price to pay for a social network, and it tops the charts as Microsoft's biggest-ever acquisition. As Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's first major acquisition, the success or failure of LinkedIn will define him as the leader of Microsoft's increasingly service-driven future. While many are surprised at the cash figure, the question on everyone's lips is, why does Microsoft want LinkedIn?

Nadella's internal memo does a good job of providing a basic outline to partially answer that question, and more. Nadella points out that LinkedIn is "how people find jobs, build skills, sell, market and get work done." It's a key tool in the professional...

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