CEO Steve Ballmer Announces Retirement From Microsoft

[dgstorm]

Even though this isn't exactly news related to this site, it is one of the biggest tech related stories of the day. This is especially true considering that Microsoft is one of the primary competitors in the mobile world.

Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer rocked the tech world by dropping a bomb-shell on the media this morning. He announced his retirement from Microsoft. It will be effective within the next 12 months after they have found a replacement for him.

Ballmer said, “There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time. 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.”

Steve Ballmer has been with Microsoft since Bill Gates hired him as a business manager in 1980. He became the CEO of Microsoft in 2000 when Bill Gates announced his retirement. Despite a string of recent financial misfires from Microsoft with slow Windows 8 adoption and the monstrous Surface RT failure, Ballmer was instrumental in spearheading Microsoft's entry into the gaming console business in 2001 with the first Xbox. He is also well know for his passion and enthusiasm and ability to inspire energy in his teams.

Despite his departure, this will now be a time of opportunity for Microsoft. It will be exciting to see the person they find to replace him. Share your perspective on Steve Ballmer leaving Microsoft. Will it be a good thing, a bad thing or something in between?

 

[dgstorm]

As an addendum to the story, here's the full letter from Ballmer to Microsoft,

I am writing to let you know that I will retire as CEO of Microsoft within the next 12 months, after a successor is chosen. There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time. My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our transformation to a devices and services company focused on empowering customers in the activities they value most. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction. You can read the press release on Microsoft News Center.

This is a time of important transformation for Microsoft. Our new Senior Leadership team is amazing. The strategy we have generated is first class. Our new organization, which is centered on functions and engineering areas, is right for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Microsoft is an amazing place. I love this company. I love the way we helped invent and popularize computing and the PC. I love the bigness and boldness of our bets. I love our people and their talent and our willingness to accept and embrace their range of capabilities, including their quirks. I love the way we embrace and work with other companies to change the world and succeed together. I love the breadth and diversity of our customers, from consumer to enterprise, across industries, countries, and people of all backgrounds and age groups.

I am proud of what we have achieved. We have grown from $7.5 million to nearly $78 billion since I joined Microsoft, and we have grown from employing just over 30 people to almost 100,000. I feel good about playing a role in that success and having committed 100 percent emotionally all the way. We have more than 1 billion users and earn a great profit for our shareholders. We have delivered more profit and cash return to shareholders than virtually any other company in history.

I am excited by our mission of empowering the world and believe in our future success. I cherish my Microsoft ownership, and look forward to continuing as one of Microsoft’s largest owners.

This is an emotional and difficult thing for me to do. I take this step in the best interests of the company I love; it is the thing outside of my family and closest friends that matters to me most.

Microsoft has all its best days ahead. Know you are part of the best team in the industry and have the right technology assets. We cannot and will not miss a beat in these transitions. I am focused and driving hard and know I can count on all of you to do the same. Let’s do ourselves proud.

Steve

 

[edap]

Microsoft shares ended the day down on Friday following news in the morning of the CEO's retirement.
In recent years, Ballmer has been the target of critics over a variety of issues, including their dissatisfaction with the company's stock performance, Google's dominance in search advertising, the perception that Microsoft reacted late to cloud computing and its weak position in the tablet and smartphone OS markets.
Some critics maintain that attempting to build a single OS for desktops, laptops and tablets was a strategic mistake because Microsoft has ended up instead with a product that isn't good enough for any of those devices. Apple's strategy, by contrast, has been to have Mac OS for its desktops and laptops, and iOS for the iPad, iPhone and iPod.

 

[loonamark]

Great news after the Microsoft Surface flop

 

[edap]

According to tabtimes.com, it looks increasingly likely that Stephen Elop will replace Steve Ballmer as CEO of Microsoft, following the latter’s acquisition of Nokia’s phone business.



Elop left Nokia to re-join Microsoft as Executive VP of Devices and Services following Microsoft’s deal to buy the handset business for $7.2 billion.
The former Nokia chief executive remains the bookies’ favorite to replace Steve Ballmer, who retires in 12 months.