“Microsoft Corp. is telling employees that a reorganization plan by departing Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer will go ahead, seeking to reassure senior managers who are concerned that the search for a successor will throw turnaround efforts into disarray,” Dina Bass reports for Bloomberg News.
MacDailyNews Take: Finding a puppet who’ll implement the fired guy’s “plan” is supposed to reassuring? Only in Redmond. Nice to see the usual idiotic disfunction continuing with abandon. The Redmond bus station is going to run out of one-way tickets to Mountainview.
“Some members of Microsoft’s senior leadership team e-mailed their staff on Aug. 23 to say they remain committed to Ballmer’s vision and the reorganization, said three people with knowledge of the matter,” Bass reports. “Even as it hunts for a CEO who may change tack, Microsoft’s board needs managers to stay focused on the reorganization plan, the biggest shift in more than a decade. Ballmer is emphasizing hardware and Internet-based services, shifting away from software for the declining personal-computer industry and putting Microsoft on better footing to compete with Google Inc., Facebook Inc. and Apple Inc. in mobile devices and online advertising.”
MacDailyNews Take: Newsflash: Ballmer failed (repeatedly) and was pushed out. Who gives a flying toaster what he emphasized? Past tense.
Bass reports, “Microsoft can ill afford to wait and see if a new CEO alters the Ballmer plan. With the company behind in mobile and tablets and as core revenue from its flagship Windows product shrinks, the stock is down about 37 percent under Ballmer’s watch.”
“Last month, Microsoft also reported sales and profit that missed analysts’ estimates,” Bass reports. “While embarking on a new CEO search, Microsoft will also have to contend with retaining employees and tamping down unease that for some began with the July reorganization.”
MacDailyNews Take:
Forget about the “up to 12 months” to replace Monkey Boy. Make it 12 days and get it done. Let the new CEO begin to try to fix the broken company in the matter they deem proper. If you’re going to clean house, clean house. With all of this dillydallying and trying to implement “plans” made by an ousted short-timer, Microsoft can’t even execute correct decisions correctly. Typical.
MSFT BoD Member #1: (Wakes up) “Hey, I just noticed that we lost the last decade of battles under this general. Let’s get rid of him!”
MSFT BoD Member #2: “Okay, done. He’ll be out of here within 12 months.”MSFT BoD Member #1: “Up to 12 months? Sheesh. Okay, now what?”
MSFT BoD Member #2: “Uh, we go ahead with his last battle plan?”SFT BoD Member #1: “Great idea!” (goes back to sleep)
Bass reports, “Microsoft executives and workers in the process of moving into new divisions and roles don’t know if they will be asked to shift again under new management, said one of the people with knowledge of the matter. Some executives unhappy with their new roles may leave after the stock grants and bonuses at the end of August, said another person.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Any CEO that would take the job and keep Ballmer T. Clown’s reorg plan in effect would be as bad or worse than what they have now.
A real CEO would say, “We’re doing this my way or the highway, so let’s get going!”
Our greatest hope at this point is simple: That Marissa says, “No, thanks.”
Related articles:
The rise and fall of Windows Mobile, under outgoing CEO Steve Ballmer – August 26, 2013
Steve Ballmer’s exit not planned or as smooth as portrayed by Microsoft – August 26, 2013
If Steve Ballmer ran Apple – August 26, 2013
Under sales guy Ballmer, Microsoft’s stock has been a dud – August 26, 2013
A tale of two Steves: Apple’s Jobs vs. Microsoft’s Ballmer – August 24, 2013
Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s $16 billion albatross – August 23, 2013
Microsoft stock surges on Ballmer retirement news – August 23, 2013
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to retire within 12 months as BoD initiates succession process – August 23, 2013
What iceberg? Full steam ahead!
Fire Tim Cook!
He’s not in M$
Keep the band playing, there are plenty of life boats. No need to hurry!
Oh, great. The musicians get to die on the boat… again! I say, shoot the officers first!
Getting a new CEO is the ONE opportunity to tell the world how screwed up the previous regime was, and clean house. Take ALL losses from Surface RT/Pro at once (and dump the remaining unsold inventory into recycling), in one epically bad quarter. Apologize for Windows 8, admit that it was a really bad idea. Go back to Windows 7 as the base for the next version of Windows, and promise to give all current users of Windows 8 and 7 a free upgrade to the next release.
What did Steve Jobs do when he became the “iCEO” in 1997? He evaluated the situation, told the world that Apple is in bad shape (“much worse than I expected” or words to that effect), replaced most of the leadership team (including the board of directors), and purged the product line to the bare essentials.
But this is Microsoft, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they found a puppet who proceeds with what Ballmer had planned. The real problem here is Microsoft’s Board. Steve Ballmer is a board member. So is Bill Gates (Chairman). They pick the next CEO? The only way Microsoft gets meaningful change is if the entire Board steps down.
And my prediction is still Bill Gates stepping in as the interim CEO (the “iCEO”) while the “search” continues.
You know that guy we just essentially fired? We are going to stick to his awesome plan. Just so, you know, the hope you briefly had can be fully extinguished. Shut it down.
Nice observation. Just like almost everywhere, I’m certain there are many good people working at Microsoft. In fact, probably most of them. It’s a shame when you see a successful company like Microsoft or RIMM be run into the ground after being at the top of their game. While not innovative, Microsoft has had a cash cow with their Windows software for years. Balmer had only to transition the company into other areas successfully to be considered at least competent. Whoops! Maybe they will let him go back into the sales department?
The Honda Dealership in my neighborhood is hiring !
Shifting away from software, which has always done well, to hardware, which has always been a disaster, is a great plan for Microsoft.
They offered the job to Jesus Of Nazareth, however He turned it down noting, “Hey, I can walk on water, but this job is much bigger than my Lazarus gig.”
Tim Cook hopefully can replace Ballmer.
Miley Cyrus. She’s got the tongue-hanging-out-while-flailing look mastered, and she wears sweat better than Ballmer.
It’s too late, Microsoft has been ” Ballmerized “.
The only known cure is a funeral procession in Redmond, followed by a restart.
It’s been “Gatesified” too. Bill needs to go as well, the poorest excuse of a “visionary” ever born. Time for the company to move at last into competent non-geek hands completely. Gates & Ballmer have lost all credibility as tech leaders, if they ever had much.
Microsoft left it far too late to get rid of Ballmer, but now that have finally taken the decision, it only makes sense to appoint his successor as soon as possible.
I have little doubt that Microsoft’s board have somebody in mind and will be looking to get that person in place rapidly and that it will be done and dusted well within 12 weeks rather than 12 months.
If they appoint from inside the company, I think that the company has no chance. The only way forward for Microsoft is to appoint somebody from outside the company who will look afresh at the way the company operates and then make substantial changes. It seems obvious that Ballmer’s restructuring plan will have to be abandoned and it would be counter-productive to continue any further down that route at this stage.
However I don’t think that the company is prepared to change to the degree that will be necessary and the next CEO is likely to face considerable resistance to making the sort of changes that will be needed.
If Microsoft appoint a charismatic and visionary leader, that person might possibly be able to inspire existing staff to change attitudes, but such leaders are very rare and I very much doubt that Microsoft will appoint somebody like that. My hunch is that they will opt for a safe pair of hands to continue pretty well like they have been doing and the downward spiral towards irrelevance will continue.
Why don’t they just shut down Microsoft and give the money back to the stockholders?
After a few weeks, no one would notice. (except a bunch of unemployed IT doofuses.)
The lack of thought and planning Ballmer has displayed is absolutely staggering. Contrast his performance with Steve Jobs’ vision and succession plan, even as he was fighting for his life. The difference is heart. SJ loved his company – it was his legacy. Microsoft isn’t loved by anyone, perhaps least of all by Ballmer. MS has no heart, no taste, no passion.
Sounds like a scene from a cheap summer movie..
Everyone in the office is ecstatic and bouncing off the walls, and here’s the square lawyer standing in the middle of the room, telling everyone not to worry, that even though their beloved leader will be leaving soon, MS still has a bright future etc
I’d love to be a chair in the corner of the room listening in to Ballmer et al.
You might get thrown.
Fist thing MSFT needs to do is close their stores. No way they can make money selling other peoples hardware against the discounters of the same products and they can’t make a lot on the Nokia 520s. It is already obvious that the tablets are selling. Xbox may soon become a has been.
What WOULD happen if Marissa gets the offer and she says yes? I don’t want to think about that.
What the feds couldn’t do (break Microsoft up) a couple of decades ago, the BoD is doing without realizing it. All the division managers and good talent is heading for the exits, either to other companies or as startups. The effect is that Microsoft is getting gutted. There will be the structure, on paper, that Ballmer created, but it’s all TBHs.
The legacy of Steve Ballmer lives on long after he is gone! Next to the “May Ballmer remain the CEO forever” prayer, this one is the best thing that could happen after he finally leaves: may MSFT implement ALL strategic plans devised by Ballmer!
Ballmer is emphasizing hardware and Internet-based services, shifting away from software…
EXCELLENT! Concentrate on the LOSS LEADERS!
I LOVE this plan. I LOVE it A LOT!
Heehee Haha Hoho!
💩💩💩
[hint: iow, sell your Microsoft stock NOW, while it has ANY value ! ! !]
In 1997, did Steve Jobs continue to execute Gil Amelio’s business plan for Apple or was Steve Jobs a LEADER and took bold actions that he thought would put Apple back on the path to success?
If MicroSoft hires someone that hasn’t “grown a pair” and simply follows a script by a failed CEO then the icebergs are on the radar screen and closing fast!
This train wreck is really so much fun to watch. And I’m not apologizing 😄
I still say Jerry Seinfeld is the best man for the job of Microsoft CEO. He’s respected in the field of comedy, had a great hit show for years, has shared a room and shower will Bill Gates and that makes you pretty darn well a room mate just like Ballmer.
utube.com/watch?v=nNOohFst9Lc&list=PL2BE60BF4193DEEB8
Allow me to correct that, I had sticking fingers.
… this explanation for MSFT’s processes:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/08/23/stack_ranking_steve_ballmer_s_employee_evaluation_system_and_microsoft_s.html
Do you suppose any of the MS employees believe that storyline from the human resources department?
If they really believe things the same as before, after Ballmer, we have gotten to the “root cause” of MS’s problem.
Hire me as CEO of Microsoft. I can do a far quicker job of sinking that company to oblivion than him. Where it takes him years, I can do it half that time! 😉
¡Hey, MDN! Don’t give BoD ideas!!!!!!!
Marisa Mayer for Microsoft CEO…???