While Gates didn't [B][I][COLOR=blue]"instigate[/COLOR]"[/I][/B] Ballmer's retirement, he wasn't as much of an [B][I][COLOR=blue]advocate[/COLOR][/I][/B] as he had been in the past, one source suggested.
[/QUOTE]
Yeah. right... If you believe that I have a [S][B]bridge[/B][/S] Surface to sell you!
[QUOTE]
In an effort to counter the successes seen by Apple in recent years, Ballmer announced a major realignment of Microsoft in July. The sweeping company-wide restructuring plan is focused on [B][I][COLOR=blue]positioning Microsoft has a devices and services company[/COLOR][/I][/B], which Ballmer said at the time would enable it to [B][I][COLOR=blue]"innovate with greater speed, efficiency and capability."[/COLOR][/I][/B]
[/QUOTE]
Sure... I'll take a keyboard, a mouse, an Xbox, Kinect, and ...
.....
[QUOTE]Going forward, our strategy will focus on [B][I][COLOR=blue]creating a family of devices and services for individuals and businesses [/COLOR][/I][/B]that empower people around the globe [B][I][COLOR=blue]at home, at work and on the go, for the activities they value most.[/COLOR][/I][/B]
We will do this by leveraging our strengths. We have powered devices for many years through Windows PCs and Xbox. We have delivered high-value experiences through Office and other apps. And, we have enabled enterprise value through products like Windows Server and Exchange. The form of delivery shifts to a broader set of devices and services versus packaged software. The frontier of high-value scenarios we enable will march outward, but we have strengths and proven capabilities on which we will draw. [/QUOTE] http://techland.time.com/2013/07/11/microsofts-devices-and-services-era-begins-today/
Ambitious goals!
It would help a just a little bit if you had only one successful hardware product of the type you describe -- rather than a consecutive string of dismal failures!
Who is going to believe that you can do it -- too much fail, too late!
Eventually, the captain of a sinking ship gets thrown overboard. He will be fine in retirement unlike hundreds of thousands of windows users.
Because you think that Windows users who retire without enough income are in that position because of Microsoft? That's an absurd comment.
Microsoft has certainly failed at many things, but I'm not sure that different leadership, including Bill Gates himself, would have made much difference. And before we all jump on the "Ballmer's an idiot" bandwagon, note that Apple might find itself in a similar position in five years (although I can't imagine any head of Apple behaving as obnoxiously as Ballmer has). When companies grow too large, they are not able to respond as quickly as smaller, more nimble companies. There's more bureaucracy and the risks are greater. I think we've already seen that at Apple as both hardware and OS updates have become incremental. Each year gets a slightly better processor in a slightly thinner box and a few more features are thrown into the OS, many of which won't be used by the vast majority of users and some in which many users, including many on this site, wish Apple hadn't changed, but since the release of the iPad, we're not seeing anything that changes markets. And somehow, I don't think an iWatch is going to revolutionize much of anything.
As far as the current supposed reorg of Microsoft is concerned, a senior exec once said to me that there's only two things CEOs really do: they either centralize or they decentralize. So right now, Microsoft is centralizing to get rid of the "islands". The next CEO might choose to decentralize again so that each unit can do what it does best and because there really isn't any synergy anyway. And while Windows 8 has not been accepted in the marketplace, while there's lots to hate about it, there's also lots to like. I think for the first time in Microsoft's history, they've taken a fairly decent approach to graphic design and use of fonts. I was actually pretty surprised.
As far as Ballmer is concerned, if he really wants to run a company, he can start a new one: he certainly has the cash to do so and he can probably find backers if he didn't want to use his own money. He'll probably fail at it, but he can keep himself busy.
Wow. That would be poetic. Ballmer, wronged by the company he loves, gets even by giving Apple Microsoft's old secrets and lies. Heck, were he to give Apple the truth about all the evil Microsoft has done, I'd be okay with Apple hiring him to do… something non-critical to hardware or software. Since he's a businessman, maybe he could come under Tim Cook's wing, shadowing him for a few years.
What secrets? It would be like hiring Homer Simpson and finding out his big secret was to copy another company's playbook.
They pulled out his phone and cut the network connections... and he can't leave his office while he's in the building.
"DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!!"
LOL
He could have some revengeful fun in the next year ... he should sell all his shares now, so he doesn't care, and secretly work with Apple to Xerox all Microsoft's secret, innovative ideas ... Oh wait a minute ...
I already said it ... partially in jest ... why not copy Steve yet again ... Gates steps in as interim and labels himself ... iCEO
The difference is, of couse, that Bill has nothing to prove. Being the richest man in the world (or in the top 3, or whatever) and being a beloved, world-famous philanthropist will do that for ya. Being the guy who comes in and make a company "more like Apple" isn't something he'd want to be associated with.
What CEO announces a major reorg and then a month later says he/she's retiring? Of course he was pushed out. Question is will the new CEO be forced to carry out his reorg plan? Will they only look for people who are 100% on board with that change? My guess is it will be external as I can't imagine any one of the four EVP engineers working for the other.
I wonder if there is even a remote possibility that Gates steps in as iCEO, he always loved copying Steve.
I suspect not... and another Gates reign would not resolve Microsoft's problems. Gates never had the luxury of learning by experiencing a major failure.
I figure, the new CEO will be an outside hire and will be in place by Christmas. That gives him/her 1 year, max, to make the necessary changes and publicly righten the ship's course..
I wonder if Gates will allow the next CEO to make the necessary changes... I suspect not!
Finally, I can see MS being successful as a "software and services" company -- and no chance as a "devices and services" company.
…<span style="line-height:1.231;">secretly work with Apple to Xerox all Microsoft's secret, innovative ideas</span>
…
Wow. That would be poetic. Ballmer, wronged by the company he loves, gets even by giving Apple Microsoft's old secrets and lies. Heck, were he to give Apple the truth about all the evil Microsoft has done, I'd be okay with Apple hiring him to do… something non-critical to hardware or software. Since he's a businessman, maybe he could come under Tim Cook's wing, shadowing him for a few years.
I already said it ... partially in jest ... why not copy Steve yet again ... Gates steps in as interim and labels himself ... iCEO
I saw that... but it's a step backwards for Gates. He's busy with the Foundation and his invention lab in upstate Washington (saw a report of the 50 day vaccine "thermos" created there). So I'm thinking no actual return for Gates.
Ah well, MS might just not want the interruption of an iCEO. That means to me, naming the full time CEO at the first of the year.
They really need to start placing more importance on design too - designers, designer, designers first and developers, developers, developers second. The XBox One looks like junk. Same with things like this:
Eventually, the captain of a sinking ship gets thrown overboard. He will be fine in retirement unlike hundreds of thousands of windows users.
Quote:
Originally Posted by msuberly
Huh, what does one's operating system have to do with one's retirement?
Obviously you don't see the context. He is worth billions and will retire with no worries. Meanwhile, all those users who bought Windows contributed to his billions and will not have it so financially well off in retirement, and not because we bought Windows before it is assumed that is what I meant.
They really need to start placing more importance on design too - designers, designer, designers first and developers, developers, developers second. The XBox One looks like junk. Same with things like this:
You know someone doesn't have any clue about GUI when you look at this mess.
Microsoft can't even settle on a coherent UI for they're own apps:
I suspect not... and another Gates reign would not resolve Microsoft's problems. Gates never had the luxury of learning by experiencing a major failure.
I figure, the new CEO will be an outside hire and will be in place by Christmas. That gives him/her 1 year, max, to make the necessary changes and publicly righten the ship's course..
I wonder if Gates will allow the next CEO to make the necessary changes... I suspect not!
Finally, I can see MS being successful as a "software and services" company -- and no chance as a "devices and services" company.
I don't believe Gates *could* come back and do anything except the same thing the company has done; Ballmer was merely an extension of Gates. They never were the innovation or product management centred company, they were just very, very good business managers who knew how to copy, steal, manipulate, make proprietary, acquire, create a virtual monopoly and leverage it, and market software very well. Gates would not be the new blood and fresh set of ideas that is needed.
The new CEO will absolutely be an external hire, and he/she will come in having negotiated a lot of freedom to make significant changes to the corporation - and I think he or she will have a couple of years, 3 max to affect the changes and realise positive results. Interesting times ahead for Microsoft, I think we won't recognise it as the same company in 5 years, that's what the board is looking for and that's why Ballmer has been ousted without a replacement but a 1 year time frame to find one, me thinks. :-)
Comments
While Gates didn't [B][I][COLOR=blue]"instigate[/COLOR]"[/I][/B] Ballmer's retirement, he wasn't as much of an [B][I][COLOR=blue]advocate[/COLOR][/I][/B] as he had been in the past, one source suggested.
[/QUOTE]
Yeah. right... If you believe that I have a [S][B]bridge[/B][/S] Surface to sell you!
[QUOTE]
In an effort to counter the successes seen by Apple in recent years, Ballmer announced a major realignment of Microsoft in July. The sweeping company-wide restructuring plan is focused on [B][I][COLOR=blue]positioning Microsoft has a devices and services company[/COLOR][/I][/B], which Ballmer said at the time would enable it to [B][I][COLOR=blue]"innovate with greater speed, efficiency and capability."[/COLOR][/I][/B]
[/QUOTE]
Sure... I'll take a keyboard, a mouse, an Xbox, Kinect, and ...
.....
[QUOTE]Going forward, our strategy will focus on [B][I][COLOR=blue]creating a family of devices and services for individuals and businesses [/COLOR][/I][/B]that empower people around the globe [B][I][COLOR=blue]at home, at work and on the go, for the activities they value most.[/COLOR][/I][/B]
We will do this by leveraging our strengths. We have powered devices for many years through Windows PCs and Xbox. We have delivered high-value experiences through Office and other apps. And, we have enabled enterprise value through products like Windows Server and Exchange. The form of delivery shifts to a broader set of devices and services versus packaged software. The frontier of high-value scenarios we enable will march outward, but we have strengths and proven capabilities on which we will draw.
[/QUOTE]
http://techland.time.com/2013/07/11/microsofts-devices-and-services-era-begins-today/
Ambitious goals!
It would help a just a little bit if you had only one successful hardware product of the type you describe -- rather than a consecutive string of dismal failures!
Who is going to believe that you can do it -- too much fail, too late!
Quote:
Originally Posted by icoco3
Eventually, the captain of a sinking ship gets thrown overboard. He will be fine in retirement unlike hundreds of thousands of windows users.
Because you think that Windows users who retire without enough income are in that position because of Microsoft? That's an absurd comment.
Microsoft has certainly failed at many things, but I'm not sure that different leadership, including Bill Gates himself, would have made much difference. And before we all jump on the "Ballmer's an idiot" bandwagon, note that Apple might find itself in a similar position in five years (although I can't imagine any head of Apple behaving as obnoxiously as Ballmer has). When companies grow too large, they are not able to respond as quickly as smaller, more nimble companies. There's more bureaucracy and the risks are greater. I think we've already seen that at Apple as both hardware and OS updates have become incremental. Each year gets a slightly better processor in a slightly thinner box and a few more features are thrown into the OS, many of which won't be used by the vast majority of users and some in which many users, including many on this site, wish Apple hadn't changed, but since the release of the iPad, we're not seeing anything that changes markets. And somehow, I don't think an iWatch is going to revolutionize much of anything.
As far as the current supposed reorg of Microsoft is concerned, a senior exec once said to me that there's only two things CEOs really do: they either centralize or they decentralize. So right now, Microsoft is centralizing to get rid of the "islands". The next CEO might choose to decentralize again so that each unit can do what it does best and because there really isn't any synergy anyway. And while Windows 8 has not been accepted in the marketplace, while there's lots to hate about it, there's also lots to like. I think for the first time in Microsoft's history, they've taken a fairly decent approach to graphic design and use of fonts. I was actually pretty surprised.
As far as Ballmer is concerned, if he really wants to run a company, he can start a new one: he certainly has the cash to do so and he can probably find backers if he didn't want to use his own money. He'll probably fail at it, but he can keep himself busy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by murman
His dumbest move was to make so many Windows RTs, what was that again, 900mil write off?
not cool to investors who see how much money is in the bank, and how much is coming in, as serious business.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
Wow. That would be poetic. Ballmer, wronged by the company he loves, gets even by giving Apple Microsoft's old secrets and lies. Heck, were he to give Apple the truth about all the evil Microsoft has done, I'd be okay with Apple hiring him to do… something non-critical to hardware or software. Since he's a businessman, maybe he could come under Tim Cook's wing, shadowing him for a few years.
What secrets? It would be like hiring Homer Simpson and finding out his big secret was to copy another company's playbook.
LOL!
I love how the article made it sound like people actually valued Ballmer's contributions to the tech world.
Discuss.
Originally Posted by HammerofTruth
What secrets? It would be like hiring Homer Simpson and finding out his big secret was to copy another company's playbook.
Proof of illegal activity = perfect lawsuit for damages.
Whoa... You had me goin' for a while..
Too much FL sun?
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitalclips
I already said it ... partially in jest ... why not copy Steve yet again ... Gates steps in as interim and labels himself ... iCEO
The difference is, of couse, that Bill has nothing to prove. Being the richest man in the world (or in the top 3, or whatever) and being a beloved, world-famous philanthropist will do that for ya. Being the guy who comes in and make a company "more like Apple" isn't something he'd want to be associated with.
I suspect not... and another Gates reign would not resolve Microsoft's problems. Gates never had the luxury of learning by experiencing a major failure.
I figure, the new CEO will be an outside hire and will be in place by Christmas. That gives him/her 1 year, max, to make the necessary changes and publicly righten the ship's course..
I wonder if Gates will allow the next CEO to make the necessary changes... I suspect not!
Finally, I can see MS being successful as a "software and services" company -- and no chance as a "devices and services" company.
LOL
Best post so far on this subject!
Nah... Just legacy baggage!
Quote:
Originally Posted by digitalclips
I already said it ... partially in jest ... why not copy Steve yet again ... Gates steps in as interim and labels himself ... iCEO
I saw that... but it's a step backwards for Gates. He's busy with the Foundation and his invention lab in upstate Washington (saw a report of the 50 day vaccine "thermos" created there). So I'm thinking no actual return for Gates.
Ah well, MS might just not want the interruption of an iCEO. That means to me, naming the full time CEO at the first of the year.
As opposed to something like this:
Or this:
Quote:
Originally Posted by icoco3
Eventually, the captain of a sinking ship gets thrown overboard. He will be fine in retirement unlike hundreds of thousands of windows users.
Quote:
Originally Posted by msuberly
Huh, what does one's operating system have to do with one's retirement?
Obviously you don't see the context. He is worth billions and will retire with no worries. Meanwhile, all those users who bought Windows contributed to his billions and will not have it so financially well off in retirement, and not because we bought Windows before it is assumed that is what I meant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by icoco3
Eventually, the captain of a sinking ship gets thrown overboard. He will be fine in retirement unlike hundreds of thousands of windows users.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoetmb
...Because you think that Windows users who retire without enough income are in that position because of Microsoft? That's an absurd comment.
Your comment is absurd by applying your own interpretation of my comment then demeaning it.
Mmm... I wonder where his chair went :???:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marvin
They really need to start placing more importance on design too - designers, designer, designers first and developers, developers, developers second. The XBox One looks like junk. Same with things like this:
You know someone doesn't have any clue about GUI when you look at this mess.
Microsoft can't even settle on a coherent UI for they're own apps:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum
I suspect not... and another Gates reign would not resolve Microsoft's problems. Gates never had the luxury of learning by experiencing a major failure.
I figure, the new CEO will be an outside hire and will be in place by Christmas. That gives him/her 1 year, max, to make the necessary changes and publicly righten the ship's course..
I wonder if Gates will allow the next CEO to make the necessary changes... I suspect not!
Finally, I can see MS being successful as a "software and services" company -- and no chance as a "devices and services" company.
I don't believe Gates *could* come back and do anything except the same thing the company has done; Ballmer was merely an extension of Gates. They never were the innovation or product management centred company, they were just very, very good business managers who knew how to copy, steal, manipulate, make proprietary, acquire, create a virtual monopoly and leverage it, and market software very well. Gates would not be the new blood and fresh set of ideas that is needed.
The new CEO will absolutely be an external hire, and he/she will come in having negotiated a lot of freedom to make significant changes to the corporation - and I think he or she will have a couple of years, 3 max to affect the changes and realise positive results. Interesting times ahead for Microsoft, I think we won't recognise it as the same company in 5 years, that's what the board is looking for and that's why Ballmer has been ousted without a replacement but a 1 year time frame to find one, me thinks. :-)
He's taking it with him.