On Friday, Microsoft Corp announced that long-serving CEO Steve Ballmer would be retiring within the next year. The company is currently looking for a CEO to replace Ballmer following his exit from the company in 2014.
The recent announcements surprised many business commentators due to the long career of Ballmer and his immense involvement in Microsoft’s business. Ballmer has been CEO since 2000 and has worked for Microsoft for over 32 years.
During his leadership, Microsoft has released core products such as Windows XP, 7, and the current Windows 8 platform. Ballmer has also managed Microsoft during its transition into the home gaming and entertainment market with the Xbox console.
Ballmer succeeded Bill Gates as CEO of Microsoft after Gates moved into a chairman position. Analysts believe that both Gates and Ballmer will be involved in the search for a successor for Ballmer and new leader for the company.
Due to his extensive history within the company, Ballmer has been a popular leader at Microsoft. The CEO met Bill Gates at Harvard University in the 1970s, worked for Microsoft in 1980, and grew the company to employ over 100,000 people by 2013.
Julie Larson-Green, the company’s devices chief, is rumoured to be the top candidate for the CEO position. Analysts also believe that the company could hire externally in order to bring a new perspective to its management team.
Microsoft’s future has been a hot talking point in technology circles as the company has largely failed to catch on with recent tech developments. Windows 8 Mobile has yet to reach the level of success achieved by Google’s Android mobile OS.
Analysts believe that an outsider with extensive experience in the mobile industry could be a good choice for Microsoft. The company has invested heavily in its own mobile OS recently and may attempt to increase its mobile OS market share.
