Microsoft CEO Bids Tearful Goodbye in Front of Thousands of Employees
Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer is to retire from the technology giant within the next 12 months.
By Sadho Ram — 25 Aug 2013, 01:43 PM — Updated almost 11 years ago
Steve Ballmer moved to tears while saying goodbye to Microsoft
The outgoing chief executive of Microsoft broke down in tears and danced around to Michael Jackson as he delivered a flamboyant farewell speech during his final company meeting.
dailymail.co.ukSteve Ballmer, 57, who is stepping down from his post in the next 12 months, also sang along to Time of My Life from the film Dirty Dancing as he said goodbye to the firm he has worked at for 33 years.
He jumped around and danced on stage claiming the track was 'the sound of Microsoft!', The Verge reported. At the end of the song, the 13,000-strong crowd applauded and he said, 'I just want to enjoy this for a minute'.
dailymail.co.ukBallmer will retire within the next year and his replacement has not yet been announced by the firm.
While at the helm, he became known for his enthusiastic presentations in which he would routinely declare his love for Microsoft and its products.
Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer to retire within 12 months
Microsoft has stepped into a new and uncertain era with the announcement that CEO Steve Ballmer will retire within 12 months, triggering a search for a successor to take over the software behemoth.
theguardian.com
Mr Ballmer, who last month unveiled a restructuring to address the criticism, said in a statement: "There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time. "We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction."
The announcement on Friday surprised analysts and investors and sent shares surging, reflecting belief that the company will benefit from new leadership as it tries to innovate and chase the market for smartphones and tablets.
theguardian.com
In an email sent to Microsoft staff, Ballmer said he loved his company, and that the Xbox maker had "all its best days ahead". Here's the email in full
Microsoft has created a special committee to find a replacement. This committee includes Microsoft founder Bill Gates
Microsoft's Board of Directors has created a special committee to direct the succession process, which includes Microsoft founder and chairman of the board Bill Gates, Audit Committee chairman Chuck Noski and compensation committee chairman Steve Luczo.
Who will be next to lead Microsoft? Here's a brief list of tech executives that Microsoft might consider
The world's largest software company has no anointed successor, and has had only two CEOs in its 38-year history - Ballmer and co-founder Bill Gates. The following is a list of tech executives that Microsoft might consider.
Tony Bates - Came to Microsoft two years ago as CEO of the acquired Skype and was recently elevated to lead Microsoft's business development and overall strategy.
in.comOne of them is Satya Nadella, a long-time Microsoft executive who currently looks after cloud and enterprise division within the company.
Kevin Turner - As Chief Operating Officer for the last eight years, the former Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) executive leads Microsoft's enormous sales organization, but is generally considered to lack the technology credibility to be CEO.
Terry Myerson - The executive in charge of operating systems, which is still the heart of Microsoft, ranging across PCs, tablets, phones and the Xbox game console.
Reed Hastings - The CEO of Netflix Inc is a rising Silicon Valley star and has intimate knowledge of Microsoft's business after several years on its board, until his departure last year.
reuters.com
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