Microsoft to be good again - Steve Ballmer to retire within 12 mths

[radioheadrule83]

http://www.businessinsider.com/steve-ballmer-to-retire-2013-8

REDMOND, Wash. — Aug. 23, 2013 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer has decided to retire as CEO within the next 12 months, upon the completion of a process to choose his successor. In the meantime, Ballmer will continue as CEO and will lead Microsoft through the next steps of its transformation to a devices and services company that empowers people for the activities they value most.

“There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time,” Ballmer said. “We have embarked on a new strategy with a new organization and we have an amazing Senior Leadership Team. My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our company’s transformation to a devices and services company. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction.”

The Board of Directors has appointed a special committee to direct the process. This committee is chaired by John Thompson, the board’s lead independent director, and includes Chairman of the Board Bill Gates, Chairman of the Audit Committee Chuck Noski and Chairman of the Compensation Committee Steve Luczo. The special committee is working with Heidrick & Struggles International Inc., a leading executive recruiting firm, and will consider both external and internal candidates.

“The board is committed to the effective transformation of Microsoft to a successful devices and services company,” Thompson said. “As this work continues, we are focused on selecting a new CEO to work with the company’s senior leadership team to chart the company’s course and execute on it in a highly competitive industry.”

“As a member of the succession planning committee, I’ll work closely with the other members of the board to identify a great new CEO,” said Gates. “We’re fortunate to have Steve in his role until the new CEO assumes these duties.”

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Good news for Windows 9 and Xbox Two

[ToxicAdam]

Again? I'm still waiting for Microsoft to be good the first time.

[radioheadrule83]

Again? I'm still waiting for Microsoft to be good the first time.

well putting Weezer's Buddy Holly on the Windows 95 cd was quite good 

[Great Rumbler]

Why does the scale on the Y-axis of that chart change as it gets closer to the top? 

[Cerveza mas fina]

Again? I'm still waiting for Microsoft to be good the first time.

well putting Weezer's Buddy Holly on the Windows 95 cd was quite good 

Swear to god that was my fav thing back then.

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

It seems like they're on a decline.  Now I hear people are getting tablets and just using those as their primary computer.  Since nobody is bothering with either Windows Phone or the Surface, that doesn't seem like a good thing for the future.  I understand that corporations use Microsoft products but it doesn't seem like there's a lot of room (or any room) for growth.  Just a managed decline.

[Polari]

It seems like they're on a decline.  Now I hear people are getting tablets and just using those as their primary computer.  Since nobody is bothering with either Windows Phone or the Surface, that doesn't seem like a good thing for the future.  I understand that corporations use Microsoft products but it doesn't seem like there's a lot of room (or any room) for growth.  Just a managed decline.

Classic case of arrogance at the top. Microsoft got stuck in a way of thinking and didn't see Google or Apple coming.

[Great Rumbler]

It seems like they're on a decline.  Now I hear people are getting tablets and just using those as their primary computer.  Since nobody is bothering with either Windows Phone or the Surface, that doesn't seem like a good thing for the future.  I understand that corporations use Microsoft products but it doesn't seem like there's a lot of room (or any room) for growth.  Just a managed decline.

And it certainly doesn't help that a youthful, ambitious company like Google is muscling in on their primary turf [OS and support software].

[radioheadrule83]

It seems like they're on a decline.  Now I hear people are getting tablets and just using those as their primary computer.  Since nobody is bothering with either Windows Phone or the Surface, that doesn't seem like a good thing for the future.  I understand that corporations use Microsoft products but it doesn't seem like there's a lot of room (or any room) for growth.  Just a managed decline.

I've been dealing with licensing these last few weeks - a couple of servers, one of which is an exchange server, sharepoint, and getting all the other usual CALs sorted - and the whole process has convinced me that Microsoft will never be without a source of money. They run too good a racket on the business stuff. The home OS stuff is going to struggle more though, I agree... Windows 8 was a move in the right direction, they just sort of went full distinguished mentally-challenged fellow on the walled garden Windows Store and too half-hearted on how far they changed things for tablets etc. They'd have been better just marketing a separate OS for those devices, but keeping the commonality of WinRT so PC devs could do quick and easy ports. Instead they built up all sorts of horrible press and Google are going to try and eat their lunch.

[Momo]

 

[Momo]

Why does the scale on the Y-axis of that chart change as it gets closer to the top? 

omg

[Fifstar]

Why does the scale on the Y-axis of that chart change as it gets closer to the top? 

omg

That's pretty common, although magazines love to abuse that for sensationalist reasons.

[headwalk]

ballmer was CBOAT, clearly. microsoft inquisitors got him good with that PS4 launch date tip off.

[Phoenix Dark]

one of the worst major CEOS in the country

[Madrun Badrun]

Well I like him.  He looks like the kind of man you can trust.

[Mr. Gundam]

Good, now he can devote his time to getting the Sonics back.

[MCD]

[nudemacusers]

he has a big dick face

[recursivelyenumerable]

While he was never really my type we did bond a bit over wall street / silicon valley / tech pundits hating him, and my hating wall street / silicon valley / tech pundits

[headwalk]

what are drinky's chances of staging a coup?...or failing that, an office with a natural light source?