Well, the time has come and gone. And Bill Gates has finally moved on from Microsoft. And you know, based on his personality and Balmer's. I believe that for all that we despise Micrsoft for. With their monopolistic exploitive ways in which they try to intimidate everyone into following the MS way. Bill was the more sane one. He was more comfortable with the technology end of the business. So we can only conclude that it is Balmer that gave MS the ugly edge we so dispise.
So what happens now. Bill was probably someone who kept Balmer more in check. What will it be like with Balmer fully unrestrained. I believe it can only get uglier. Balmer will try to use the MS strongarm approaches of the past and kick them up a knotch. But MS has already shown weakness in its armor. Yahoo will not be part of MS. Google is an ever increasing threat. If Google convinces businesses that online "Office" tools which are secure are the way to go. Then the MS Office cash cow goes by the wayside. With Office gone, will the other dominos fall too. Do you really need a Windows operating system anymore? Granted many offices need programs outside of Office, but I would have to say that 90% of the software that businesses use is in Office. Google might spur other companies to put their software online, being OS neutral. Connection speeds are high and the desire to have all of your data in the "Cloud" as it is sometimes called is becoming compelling.
So if Balmer goes down the path of strongarming, he may be in for a big surprise. I have already read articles which hint that if MS doesn't hit another homerun soon, then Balmer may be gone in a couple of years too.
4 comments:
I'll never forget what Steve Jobs said in an interview years ago regarding leadership at monopolies, and how these monopolies go down. He said that the great ideas that were generated by creativity and put into products through great engineering are eventually squashed as the "sales guy" executive moves up the corporate ladder. At that time Balmer had just taken over at MS, and there was Job's case in point! Balmer is a "sales guy", he isn't a tech guy, and he isn't a creative guy. He knows how to spout corporate lines and acquire other companies. And, Stitch, I would agree with you in that he knows how to play hard ball, or as others may say, how to do business deals. And as we all know, he knows how to follow Apple's innovation trail pretty well!
Will Google's online office tools do it? That is another story. I'm pretty sure it isn't ready for prime time, but neither was Windows 1.0 at the beginning! Time will tell regarding online office tools.
MFan, have you tried out the Google Docs? It is pretty amazing how far they have come with it so far. And it is only still Beta.
Gents,
One thing worth noting, though, is that I read an article that recounted how Gates was adamant that Ballmer be in charge for some time at MS, if he were to retire when he did. So, Gates certainly trusts him.
-Le
I was thinking, if Balmer does screw up and gets the boot down the road. Then this might change the entire face of MS. The MS board might bring in a new leader with a new dynamic. I believe that MS is in need of a new leader anyways. I bet the head of the X-box division might be in the running. He has shown a different tact than MS as a whole. Actually making a quality product, and watching it sell itself. Could become interesting.
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