Microsoft is all set to say goodbye to its famed CEO, Steve Ballmer, after three decades in the company and 13 years as the leader. Whoever takes the reigns will have his work cut out for, that’s for sure.
For some people, the Redmond based technology titan is already on the track to success — for others, the company still has a long way to go, more so when compared to other leading competitors like Google, Apple and friends.
And according to analysts, one of the main problems the upcoming CEO will have to deal with is to enhance Microsoft’s capacity to stay relevant beyond the PC. Canadian Manufacturing talked with Yun Kim, an analyst at Janney Capital Markets, who said:
“Complacency and a lack of innovation caught up to them. It’s their inability to stay relevant beyond the PC.”
Truth is that Microsoft has, until now, failed to make a name for itself in two of the most vital technology markets — tablets and the smartphones. However, the company has recently gained some inspiring traction in the latter, thanks to its close business relationship with Nokia.
But Redmond’s attempt to expand into the tablet industry with Surface has left a fair bit to be desired.
Even though they are still the first generation models, and were promoted as a fusion between laptops and tablets, the Surface sales are yet to dominate any of the competing brand name products like Google Nexus to Kindle Fire.
Late as it was to the tablet party, and considering how much of a toll it took on sales, it will be interesting to see just how aggressively the new CEO pursues Microsoft’s journey towards becoming a devices and services firm.
As said above, he or she will have the work cut out on the first day in the corner office.
