BALLMER TO RETIRE FROM MICROSOFT Steve Ballmer is leaving identity crisis-hit Microsoft. The software maker's chief announced his intention to retire from MS within the next year. He said: "There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time." Whomever the new boss of Microsoft will be, he or she has a big job ahead of them …
Microsoft are fucked and this just proves it.
Well, I partially agree with you.
IMO this just proves that Ballmer lacks any vision what so ever and, as you said, is now bailing ship. But apart from that this doesn't prove anything. Let's also not forget that Ballmer was convinced that Windows Phone 7 and Windows 8 would be huge successes for Microsoft; and look where that got us.
So, although I do share some of your criticism, let's also not forget on which "brilliant" ideas his decision to quit is based on.
I am convinced that if they get a CEO who has a good feeling with the tech that is Microsoft, who knows what's living amongst people (end users, hobbyists, fans and professionals alike) regarding their products and who also dares listening to all those people who take time and effort to share their opinion with a company like Microsoft hoping that it might matter...
If they can get someone like that onboard then I honestly think we might see a huge comeback. They do totally crazy stuff, they're not at all competitive right now, but if there's one thing Microsoft does have it's potential.
Completely understandable it would initially go up. But I suspect the smart money is shorting the stock, or at least holding back their money, on the expectation that a wee glitch has been found in the manufacture of a major product about to be released.
It's common knowledge the only thing keeping Nokia from not going the sensible Android route, was the Balmer connection.
It's quite likely the Nokia deal will be abandoned, as will Windows Phone, Xbox and all their other failed adventures.
This time next year, if Nokia are still around, they will likely be churning out products that CONSUMERS want, not products that MICROSOFT WANT CONSUMERS TO WANT. (there is a big difference between the two).
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Well, I want to up-vote you in principal, but, there will undoubtedly be a considerable amount of pressure on "the new guy" to deliver a Windows 9 that is what the consumer wants AND the enterprise wants, perhaps a big tickbox in "add remove windows components" called "guff" that can be unticked.
Some sort of understanding of technology and how the future is being shaped by it. Under Ballmer MS missed to many boats(internet, phones tablets) while hung on to too many sinking ships(desktop PC's). The guy in charge has to see the markets before they happen not try and muscle in years later
Steve, hey, Bill here. Look, we both know you're not happy in this role. You've sat in the big chair for a while and I'm thinking now might be a good time to move on. You can write a book and I've got a donor facing position at the Foundation you can have if you want it.
Let's go ahead and make the announcement this week. I'll shoot you a list of potential candidates and you can start planning your transition gala. Ok? Ok.
'donor facing' means
"Contribute N millions (where N is a very large number) or we will make all your windows systems go <redacted>"
"S*d off Balmer"
Balmer picks up phone.
"Do it."
One hour later the CEO's phone starts ringing off the hook. All their systems have blue screened and can't be rebooted.
Companies will 'donate' lots in order to avoid this.
anon simply due to that fact that I have to use Win7 at work.
While the share value may have bounced, will there be enough left of the company to drag it away from the abyss?
With the recent impact (and reversals) of Windows8 on the PC side of things and the good old XBox180 on the console side (oops sorry, that should be XBoxOne), does MS have the will, skills and products to turn things around. The comments about Windows 9 ignore the reality that short of a Windows7 Megapack then you would be looking at a minimum of a year to put a new OS together and if it was just a tweak to Win7 how would that be a revenue source?
Almost every successful product line has been contaminated and many of them were 4th order iterations of something that was good and right where each iteration seemed to add more baggage and less function than the one before.
Will be interesting to see how many MS staff take advantage of the share price and do a runner.
This article from 2010 kinda points to the perfect time, about 3 years ago to be precise:
http://www.mondaynote.com/2010/05/30/ballmer-just-opened-the-second-envelope/
Apparently he opened the 2nd envelope twice...... he probably knew what was in the 3rd one already.
For as long as Steve Ballmer can remember, computer users have used personal computers are their primary computing device and these personal computers have been pre-loaded with Microsoft software. This has meant (in effect) an enforced monopoly for computer users and a guaranteed income for Microsoft. In addition, Microsoft prevented competition by rigourously enforcing their own proprietary 'standards'. Not for much longer. Many users do not have PCs any more - just phones and tablets. In addition, many of these devices are far more web centric and standards complient than any Microsoft based software. Personal Computers are not dead just yet (especially in business) but the percentage of users that cannot get their work done without Microsoft software has dropped significantly.
In my opinion, Steve Ballmer is an inherent part of the old world and has not adapted well to the current situation. Opportunities are out there to make money across the computing world. Make Office 365 work equally well on Windows PCs, Apple Macs, Linux PCs, iPads and Android Tablets perhaps even iPhones and Android phones and you are on to a winner. Provide services that people want and can interoperate with other vendors/open source software and people will trust you. Create devices (like the XBox One) that work well as a home hub and you will make a fortune.
Microsoft need to stop their anti-competitive practices and start working with other companies and increase their market share by creating products or services that people want - like in the good old days when Bill Gates was in charge.
There are different ways to leave the battlefield - in glory, in shame, through the neutral door or by doing a Nero trick and burning everything.
Stevo knew that glory isn't for him - and shame wasn't an option and neutrality has been closed by what we all know Win8 etc.
There it is: Nero trick! ;) Reorganize the corporation, shuffle everything so that it takes at least 2 years for bean counters to provide any reliable and reasonable metrics. Leave just after.
Pretty much: "look how nice it's burning"...
Steve Ballmer quote - "Today, we are announcing a far-reaching realignment of the company that will enable us to innovate with greater speed, efficiency and capability in a fast changing world."
this is what I think happened...
Steve Ballmer - Quick we need to innovate, fast!
MS dude #1 – I know, let’s get rid of the Start button!
Steve Ballmer – Great innovation, do it with great speed!
MS dude #2 – I don’t know, it’s been there for years, everyone knows how to use it, it doesn’t seen a good idea to completely change the basics of our most recognizable features
Steve Ballmer - Shut up and innovate!
MS dude #2 – it’s stupid
MS dude #1 – it’s done!
MS dude #2 – then un-do it
MS dude #1 – can’t it’s to quick, its gone! I’m innovating with speed!
Steve Ballmer - Quick we need to innovate, more, with more greater speed, fast!
MS dude #1 – Lets just move everything about, and make it more like a tablet!
MS dude #2 – isn’t the whole reason tables are set up and operate like that due to the restrictions of not having a keyboard and mouse?
Steve Ballmer - Shut up, its innovation!
MS dude #1 - It’s not just innovation! Its fast innovation!
MS dude #2 – You’re just making changes for the sake of them!
Steve Ballmer – No, we are innovating, with great speed!
MS dude #1 – Innovate!
Steve Ballmer – Yeah!
MS dude #1 – Yeah Innovate!
Steve Ballmer – Yeah! Purple! Make everything Purple!
MS dude #2 – Sod it, I’m going to work for Google
Steve Ballmer – Tiles! I want Tiles! And blocks!
MS dude #1 – Tetris Mutha-f**ker!
Steve Ballmer – INOVATE! WE NEED TO INOVATE! Hello is that Marketing? What’s trendy and hip? Dubstep? I don’t care what it is put it on the adverts! Yes, I want it to look like some is making an Dubstep while looking at a Windows 8 background! No not any kind of music software, just moving icons about on the desktop while wearing headphones like a DJ! No its not stupid its innovation! Yeah that’s it, Bing! Where is Bing? I need Bing! Make some swoshy colours! Cowbell! I need more Cowbell! Stick a Facespace and a Mybook on it in case people forget about the internets! Shut up its innovating!
Bill Gates crony – WTF IS THAT?
MS dude #1 – Windows 8, Steve made me do it.
Bill Gates crony – change it all back, Steve, f**k off.
Just this morning, for no particular reason whatsoever, I was reading an article on the history of East Germany, and how its "repressive, undemocratic, illiberal, nonpluralistic character" progressively pissed people off until they started defecting in droves. Shortly thereafter the whole thing crumbled down.
Funny coincidence, this.
Ballmer was old school who went to the femoral shiny side, (to mix metaphors). Sort of missed the plot, (but probably down to history). Shiny sells to the 'consumer', but familiarity sells to 'business'. If you have a strangle hold on one of those don't try and mix the two unless the end result is f**king top notch.
Many technology people that I know think it is unfortunate that Steve Ballmer is retiring, preferring him to stay on and continue to balls up the Microsoft stumbling machine that only he knows how to do.
I am confident that Google and Apple are also saddened by his pending departure, as he has led the effort of cementing the iOS and Android supremacy in the mobile world, and confirmed Microsoft as the laughing stock of the "trusted computing" mantra.
Good luck Steve, We will surely miss you, throwing chairs around in rage.
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