Microsoft considering Ericsson CEO to replace Steve Ballmer
In its ongoing effort to find a replacement for outgoing chief executive Steve Ballmer, Microsoft is now said to be considering Hans Vestberg, CEO of Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson.
Observers say that Vestberg may ultimately be a longshot because of Microsoft's current interest in competing with Apple and Samsung in the consumer electronics space. But Vestberg is said to be on the radar of Microsoft's board of directors, according to Bloomberg.
Thursday's report, revealing his apparent candidacy for the position, portrayed the Ericsson CEO as a "media-savvy technology fanatic," but noted that his being in the running for Microsoft's top job would "come as a surprise to many on Wall Street."
Microsoft's CEO search may have been upended earlier this month, when Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally removed himself from consideration. Mulally was said to be Microsoft's top pick among potential external candidates -- a field that is reportedly "thin."
Of course, the Windows maker could also opt to promote from within for its next chief executive. But a number of Microsoft's most high profile executives have exited the company in recent years, including Windows chief Steven Sinofsky, and Xbox head Don Mattrick.
Ballmer abruptly announced his departure last August, pledging to step down from Microsoft within the following 12 months, once his successor has been chosen. Reports immediately claimed that Ballmer's exit was not as planned as Microsoft publicly claimed.
Ballmer's lengthy departure period comes after 13 years as chief executive of Microsoft, serving as successor to company founder Bill Gates. His tenure was a profitable but tumultuous period for the Redmond, Wash., software giant, which saw its stronghold in smartphones give way to Apple's iPhone and Google's Android, while PC sales continue to decline in the face of Apple's iPad.
Critics contend that Microsoft was flat-footed under Ballmer, unable to adapt in the face of an evolving marketplace being driven by groundbreaking consumer-oriented devices from rival Apple.
Observers say that Vestberg may ultimately be a longshot because of Microsoft's current interest in competing with Apple and Samsung in the consumer electronics space. But Vestberg is said to be on the radar of Microsoft's board of directors, according to Bloomberg.
Thursday's report, revealing his apparent candidacy for the position, portrayed the Ericsson CEO as a "media-savvy technology fanatic," but noted that his being in the running for Microsoft's top job would "come as a surprise to many on Wall Street."
Microsoft's CEO search may have been upended earlier this month, when Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally removed himself from consideration. Mulally was said to be Microsoft's top pick among potential external candidates -- a field that is reportedly "thin."
Of course, the Windows maker could also opt to promote from within for its next chief executive. But a number of Microsoft's most high profile executives have exited the company in recent years, including Windows chief Steven Sinofsky, and Xbox head Don Mattrick.
Ballmer abruptly announced his departure last August, pledging to step down from Microsoft within the following 12 months, once his successor has been chosen. Reports immediately claimed that Ballmer's exit was not as planned as Microsoft publicly claimed.
Ballmer's lengthy departure period comes after 13 years as chief executive of Microsoft, serving as successor to company founder Bill Gates. His tenure was a profitable but tumultuous period for the Redmond, Wash., software giant, which saw its stronghold in smartphones give way to Apple's iPhone and Google's Android, while PC sales continue to decline in the face of Apple's iPad.
Critics contend that Microsoft was flat-footed under Ballmer, unable to adapt in the face of an evolving marketplace being driven by groundbreaking consumer-oriented devices from rival Apple.
Comments
And they think this guy is going to be any better!!! I think M$ has just transition to an era of revolving doors of CEOs
- Anonymous voice of Apple
The next CEO, whoever that might be, better have the attitude that every current product and new product introduced is "Best in Class" or don't release it.
That means a complete redesign from top to bottom of Windows and Office, their mobile OS (sorry, I can't even remember what it's called). And a complete overhaul of their clickity-clack Surface. It has to be best in class. Like Google, Sony, HP, Samsung, etc., I don't think it's in their DNA.
And, unfortunately, Apple has everyone beat in the most important aspect and that is a well-performing eco-sytem.
And the syncing between all devices, iOS and OSX.
Best.
Where are the dumb critics to bitch about lack of chicks (no offence ladies) to be considered for this position?!!
http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/01/06/critics-take-issue-with-lack-of-diversity-on-apple-board-of-directors
I would hate to be the one to take over Microsoft. Theres a very large amount of work to be done and it won't happen overnight. Investors will want it to happen overnight but its simply not going to happen. For this reason alone I too think Microsoft will end up cycling CEO's left and right.
[B][U][SIZE=4]The Ballad Of Ballmer[/SIZE][/U][/B]
"Don't Go Away"
Cold and frosty morning - there's not a lot to say
About the things caught in my mind.
And as the day was dawning my plane flew away
With all the things caught in my mind.
And I wanna be there when you're coming down
And I wanna be there when you hit the ground
So don't go away,
Say what you say
Say that you'll stay
Forever and a day
In the time of my life
'cause I need more time,
Yes, I need more time
Just to make things right
Damn my situation and the games I have to play
With all the things caught in my mind.
Damn my education - I can't find the words to say
With all the things caught in my mind.
And I wanna be there when you're coming down
And I wanna be there when you hit the ground
So don't go away,
Say what you say
Say that you'll stay
Forever and a day
In the time of my life
'cause I need more time,
Yes, I need more time
Just to make things right
Me and you - what's going on?
All we seem to know is how to show
The feelings that are wrong.
[x2]
So don't go away,
Say what you say
Say that you'll stay
Forever and a day
In the time of my life
'cause I need more time,
Yes, I need more time
Just to make things right
Yes, I need more time
Just to make things right
Yes, I need more time
Just to make things right
So don't go away.
Ericsson was in 1997 the worlds biggest cellphone company. They where the biggest base station company. Over 140000 employees.
Then Ericsson hired ex Microsoft Rolf Skoglund as their IT officer. Until then every single worker had a Unix workstation or a diskless client/Xserve. This could not MSFT "ex" boss handle. He instituted "Ericsson system office environment". Everyone should have a PC with Exchange.
To make a long story short: You can't develop new phones in Excel. Clippy can't design new base stations. The Unix purge. Swap a working environment against a non working MSFT environment. Phones where delayed. Base stations where delayed. Productivity went down. IT cost skyrocketed. They needed 1 PC support per 10PCs compare to 1 Unix support /150 WS.
In just 5 years the share price went from 270SEK to 3SEK. All thanks to MSFT. Today Ericsson have exited the mobile phone business.
Nokia copied every single misstake that Ericsson did.
So the irony is that Ericsson takes over MSFT. MSFT destroyed Ericsson. Now maybe we can destroy MSFT.
Because we can't save MSFT. They have zero good product that consumers buy with their free will.
Solution is to make great products, something that is against the DNA of MSFT. MSFT lives in an "upgrade" world. Make stuff bad enough that people want to upgrade every 24 month.
How to make great products:
1) Start windows from scratch. BSD/Unix open source foundation with a windows interface over it so that they can "copyright" it.
2) Take control over ARM RT. Fix development tools for FAT binaries so that stuff can use both X86 and ARM. License "rosetta" to run X86 code on ARM.
3) Get an ARM license and develop custom ARM cores. Look at the OS and what it needs and put it into the ARM core that you control.
4) Agressive pricing on WinRT. F the OEMs. Sell Surface for 199 dollars and make money from apps.
Hire Ivy as designer and Forestal as CEO and MSFT would be BETTER then Apple.
(Apple fans/people who have been in MSFT research labs have said that MSFT is todays Apple. But MSFT are not allowed to release the stuff because of OEMs and that they would kill their own customers. MSFT needs to get an Apple attitude and kill its owns product lines like Iphone did with iPod.)
proposed because of his ability to manage a shrinking company ?
Good news for Apple!
Microsoft ought to see what the “Diesel”, Michael Spindler, is up to these days¡¡¡¡¡
Interesting thought...
Rosetta was/is an Apple implementation of QuickTransit technology licensed from Transitive Corporation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosetta_(software)
Transitive Corporation was acquired by IBM in 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QuickTransit
AFAIK, there never was a x86 to ARM implementation.
It is worth noting that a Russian company claims to have an x86 to ARM binary translator:
http://eltechs.com
http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2012/10/04/x86-on-arm/1
Now, assuming that you could run legacy x86 code on ARM at, say, 60%-80% performance...
Would you want to?
Which ARM APUs are robust enough (hint 64-bit) to do the job?
Wouldn't you need a larger screen with a windowing capability?
Wouldn't you need significantly more Battery, RAM and SSD
Could you still call that mobile?
Edit:
I keep forgetting that there is more to ARM than mobile:
http://www.brightsideofnews.com/news/2013/10/24/ibm-licenses-arm-cortex-cores-and-mali-gpus.aspx
Why do you think he's no better than Baller? Which were bad calls while on the clock? I'm not familiar with this CEO.
Alan Mulally (sp?) of Ford reportedly didn't want the job because both Ballmer and Gates would be interfering as board members. Until they are both removed, Microsoft can expect more of the same.
And what's his whooping ability like?
Hard to confirm if he has my approval until I see him dance and scamper around a stage.
And what's his whooping ability like?
... and does he sweat buckets.