Investing in Microsoft (MSFT) is not always as exciting as investing in Apple (AAPL) or a similar company that is known to shake things up by making big moves. That being said, MSFT remains a strong long-term investment for a variety of reasons.

Most recently, Microsoft announced a few board changes, showing that it truly cares about the direction it is headed.

Charles W. Scharf of Visa (V) and Teri List-Stoll of Kraft (KRFT) are joining the company’s board, which is something that has CEO Satya Nadella excited. He said the following:

“Teri brings exceptional financial and operational expertise, as well as great insights from her two decades of experience in consumer and retail industries. Charlie, as a sitting CEO of a large global business, brings additional strategic and operational depth to the Microsoft board, as well as a deep understanding of how commerce is changing globally.”

The More Exciting News

As if that isn’t exciting enough for investors, there is something else that is sure to get your blood flowing. MSFT announced a quarterly dividend of 31 cents per share.

That increase reflects an 11% increase when compared to last quarter’s dividend. The dividend will first be paid out on December 11, 2014, with an ex-dividend date of November 18.

Is now the time to invest in Microsoft? Both nuggets of information shared by MSFT should excite current investors, as well as those who have been thinking about jumping on board. The company continues to make changes for the better, hoping that they payoff in the long run.

As of this writing, Chris Bibey did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.