Friday, August 23rd 2013
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to Retire Within 12 Months
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."
"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."
74 Comments on Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to Retire Within 12 Months
He's also said he was always going to retire when his youngest kid is in college. Looks like he's stepping down earlier than that though.
This is the guy who spelled the end of development of WHS by underfunding each of the two groups developing it, and had them each operate independantly, making any real collaboration with each other or other Microsoft divisions necessary for success a virtual impossibility. And when the community complained and petitioned, he basically said "let them eat cake!", and released what HE felt we needed, not what the customers actually wanted.
At least for one windows 9 OS not Vista mk.3, we are stuffed of NT6!!
I am loving my new Windows powered Surface RT and Nokia 920, finally my mobile office is working effortlessly and trustworthy!
Again, you may hate what happened and I can appreciate you feeling that way. Feeling betrayed by Microsoft basically dropping a product you enjoyed using. But it is no way considered a debacle. No one cares what happened with WHS compared to what's going on with Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows Phone, etc.
I think the issue with the Surface was with the RT version running what looks like Win8 x86, but since it's on an ARM processor, people get confused as to why it can't run "normal" apps. The iPad has the same issue (I see people trying to use it like a laptop all the time), but it's easier for the average user to understand that it doesn't run normal desktop applications because the UI looks different. While this is technically the user's fault for not bothering to educate themselves, it's also Microsoft's fault for not remembering the golden rule of marketing: People are generally stupid.
I think if Microsoft had done a better job distinguishing the RT from the Pro, it wouldn't have done much better, but it would have ended up with better publicity.
Getting back to the article, Microsoft has survived without Gates and I expect this transition to go without a hitch.