An dysfunctional organization powered by a stack ranking system that turned 'the house of Remond' into cabal of warring tribes.
Not a pretty picture
Steve Ballmers course correct:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckjones/2013/07/15/this-is-the-organization-that-steve-ballmer-is-trying-to-change/
You can read the sordid background tale of ho things got to his point ( note not safe for work )
I wish it wasn't ;but, sometimes change is necessary and good. For one thing it forces us to adapt to better perhaps than what we were before.
We all can learn. Microsoft has a few gleaming nuggets in the sands of a wind swept by change beach.
For instance Windows 8.1, Office 2007-2013 ( consumer lock in!) , Office 365, XBox 4.0 ( ;) ) and the embrace of other platform devices. System Center 2012 and Hyper-V of Windows also are promising in the short term for consultants!
All of the above hints at new, leaner, much smaller smarter Microsoft one that can not only compete...but win.
Now SteveB execute!
FINIS
Best wishes to all those I left behind in Redmond...