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by jmagar
6582 days ago
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I've maintained for a long while that MS is weaker without Gates. From all I've read, it was clear that Bill had a strong leadership role in the technical domain, and his influence was not to be underestimated. So the announcement that he was leaving left me certain that MS was past its peak, and will decline over the next decade. That was until reading this article. Ballmer impresses me with the insight in how to replace such an important leader. Reaching into Max Weber for a credible plan, and then ensuring Gates names two incredible minds to carry on after he's gone: Ozzie and Mundie. The question is can two replace the one? Time will tell, but a certain downfall is now less certain in my mind. Thanks WSJ for a great article. |
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As they explain, Gates is all about MS innovating and building their own tech. Ballmer is about finding a compromise and playing it slightly more safe (because he's a businessman first and foremost while Gates is a hacker). Sure, it's a huge risk to gamble with one of the world's biggest companies, but Gates knew how to play that game.
Just take a look at the "innovations" that have come from MS post-2001 and compare them to their work prior to that. There's a clear distinction in the aim/position MS took on in the market. Of course correlation isn't causation, but it's still food for thought.