But today, the day Ballmer announced he'd be retiring within a year as Microsoft's CEO, I got my (most likely last) 15 minutes with Ballmer to interview him.
By Mary Jo Foley for All About Microsoft |
I asked the usual questions that most might. And I asked a couple of the thousands of questions I have saved up over the years, hoping against hope I'd be granted an audience with SteveB.
Here's what we talked about (from our transcript, which I've edited for length):
Q: What was today like for you? After all, you've been one of the most public faces of Microsoft since 1980.
Ballmer: Somebody said congratulations to me this morning, and I've got to say that surprised me, probably shouldn't. When you retire, it's a perfectly reasonable thing. But, of course, my mind's been all around this notion of it never really being perfect time. ...
So I guess it's congratulations. On the other hand, this is my life. I love Microsoft. I love everything about Microsoft. I own a lot of Microsoft stock. I'm going to continue to own a lot of Microsoft stock. But given that my personal plans wouldn't have had me here forever, this seemed like an appropriate time to me to move forward with retirement.
But today, the day Ballmer announced he'd be retiring within a year as Microsoft's CEO, I got my (most likely last) 15 minutes with Ballmer to interview him.
I asked the usual questions that most might. And I asked a couple of the thousands of questions I have saved up over the years, hoping against hope I'd be granted an audience with SteveB.
Here's what we talked about (from our transcript, which I've edited for length):
Q: What was today like for you? After all, you've been one of the most public faces of Microsoft since 1980.
Ballmer: Somebody said congratulations to me this morning, and I've got to say that surprised me, probably shouldn't. When you retire, it's a perfectly reasonable thing. But, of course, my mind's been all around this notion of it never really being perfect time. ...
So I guess it's congratulations. On the other hand, this is my life. I love Microsoft. I love everything about Microsoft. I own a lot of Microsoft stock. I'm going to continue to own a lot of Microsoft stock. But given that my personal plans wouldn't have had me here forever, this seemed like an appropriate time to me to move forward with retirement.....
FULL STORY : http://www.zdnet.com/microsofts-ballmer-on-his-biggest-regret-the-next-ceo-and-more-7000019810/#!
FORBES HEADLINE WAS COLDEST...
23 Aug. Steve Ballmer Announces Resignation, Microsoft Stock Soars And No It Won't Be Bill Gates
Since Ballmer took the reins Microsoft shareholders have had a negative total return of nearly 20%, with the stock down 36%, according to data from FactSet. While some of that decline can be attributed to the tech sector’s rapid descent from the heights of the dot-com bubble, Microsoft has frustrated investors for years with its inability to translate a massive cash generation machine into stock market performance.
It’s not all Ballmer’s fault, by any means, but the announcement has led to Microsoft stock soaring:
BIG CHANGES AHEAD : WALL STREET JOURNAL
he software giant on Friday said Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, a central figure at the company for 33 years, has decided to retire within the next 12 months.
Microsoft's surprise announcement Friday follows a broad reorganization that had appeared to solidify his power at the software giant as head of a new team of leaders.
The company said Mr. Ballmer, 57, would depart after a successor is chosen. The company's board has appointed a special committee—including Chairman Bill Gates—to consider external and internal candidates, Microsoft said.
Investors cheered, pushing Microsoft 7%, or $2.36, higher to $34.75, in 4 p.m. trading Friday on the Nasdaq Stock Market NDAQ +1.21% .
The announcement follows years of criticism about the waning growth and stagnant stock price of Microsoft, a key force in the personal computer era whose power was once so great that U.S. government regulators sought to break up the company. But Microsoft has failed to keep pace in a new era of technology, as PC sales ebbed and growth has shifted to makers of mobile devices like Apple Inc. and Web services likeGoogle Inc. GOOG -0.40%
Mr. Ballmer, who took the reins from Mr. Gates in January 2000, has responded to the changes by recently overhauling its Windows software to be used with touch commands and introduce a Microsoft-designed tablet computer called Surface.
