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
Edit: Also Technet going bye bye was some BS but to a degree that was ruined by people who took unfair and underhanded advantage of a pretty generous program.
Anyway, bottom line is he's going, which really can only be good for MS. Even if it is only to improve their Public Relations image on what they do, it will be good for them, and ultimately for the consumers, I think.
If they ever stop developing Windows Server for Enterprise, then you'll see a debacle.
edit: damn, it won't let me capitalize those Qs.
edit 2: yay!
So please, go ahead and define for all of us, would you, just how many people comprises "the public." I'd like to know, because what it basically sounds like is just because it isn't something YOU used or heard of, it doesn't matter.
But anytime a company loses the trust of the business community AND a small home user community (remember, both elements were developed in isolation and under-resourced), and both products ended up needing MS to expend funds on fixing some of the bad press and the programs. When looked at in the LARGER context, it displays a PATTERN by Mr. Ballmer.
I'm not bashing MS or it's products, just the leader who took major missteps.
This gives me a sliver of hope for Windows 9.
EDIT: All fixed!
I had heard of what happened even if I didn't use it. I even stated as much in my post you only partially quoted. It still doesn't count as a debacle. They didn't have stock price drop because of it. Companies didn't lose sales because of it. There was no financial downside at all for it and beyond those using WHS - no one cared or even knew about what happened. But if you ask any layperson on the street about the current state of Microsoft, they'll mention many missteps and products they don't like and I bet you money that they won't mention WHS. Because they won't know the product even existed.
And you sir, decided to gloss over why I am bringing it up. By itself, yes, it is inconsequential. If you look at it in context, it shows a PATTERN by Ballmer. He has been the deciding authority on most of the missteps, perceived or real.
LEAVE!!!!
GTFO!!!!! :toast:
Ah well, I hope they carry on in the same direction, without letting the vocal minority ruin their strategies too much. One very tightly syncronized version of windows for all devices would rock.
It may be time that Microsoft gets something other than developers. :)
Windows Phone 8 strategy is fine.
Desktop strategy is not fine.