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Steve Ballmer gets worst CEO dishonor, Microsoft facing RIM’s fate

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By Victor Hristov

Published: May 15, 2012, 10:39 AM

Windows

Steve Ballmer gets worst CEO dishonor, Microsoft facing RIM’s fate

Microsoft’s chief executive Steve Ballmer is the most outspoken tech company CEO we can think of, he’s probably the weirdest presenter, and might top the list in other personal traits, but when it comes to managing a tech company, Forbes has just said that he’s the worst. Named the worst CEO of any large publicly traded American company, Ballmer will go down in history for his inadequate reaction to the iPhone, and for turning a blind eye to the booming mobile industry.

His failure to turn the Microsoft machine around quicker with an answer to iOS and Android is what got him the negative rating by Forbes, as the publication considers that a more insightful person would have been a better fit for the role of a chief executive after Bill Gates.

“So today Microsoft, after dumping Zune, dumping its tablet, dumping Windows CE and other mobile products, is still the same company Mr. Ballmer took control over a decade ago. Microsoft is PC company, nothing more, as demand for PCs shifts to mobile,” Forbes’ Adam Hartung said. “Years late to market, he has bet the company on Windows 8 – as well as the future of Dell, HP, Nokia and others. An insane bet for any CEO – and one that would have been avoided entirely had the Microsoft Board replaced Mr. Ballmer years ago with a CEO that understands the fast pace of technology shifts and would have kept Microsoft current with market trends.”

What’s even more troubling is the assessment of Microsoft’s current state that is compared to RIM’s current tragic situation, as well as other companies in decline like Best Buy and American Airlines.

“Best he be retired to enjoy his fortune rather than deprive investors and employees of building theirs,” Hartung concludes bringing up an interesting question. On the other hand, we’d argue that too radical changes could also hurt the Windows and Office maker, much like Nokia’s drastic change of course contributed to the quicker decling of Symbian. What’s your opinion of Ballmer, should he stay or should he go?

source: Forbes via BGR

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Victor, a seasoned mobile technology expert, has spent over a decade at PhoneArena, exploring the depths of mobile photography and reviewing hundreds of smartphones across Android and iOS ecosystems. His passion for technology, coupled with his extensive knowledge of smartphone cameras and battery life, has positioned him as a leading voice in the mobile tech industry.

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