Reuters reports that at least three of the top 20 investors in Microsoft desire a quick turnaround with the departure of current CEO Steve Ballmer and his replacement - whoever that may be. The investors have urged the company to look at Ford Motor CEO Alan Mulally and Computer Sciences CEO Mike Lawrie for the role, placing both on the shortlist.
The special committee, which is currently conducting the CEO search with the help of external services, have been meeting with shareholders after Ballmer announced his departure from Redmond. Sources close to the company have confirmed with Reuters they could have a replacement set by the end of the year, including both internal and external candidates.
Unfortunately, both CEOs named in the report were unable to comment. Stephen Elop, CEO of Nokia, will be returning to Microsoft due to the purchase between the two companies, and will also be positioned as another candidate to succeed Ballmer. So what makes both Mulally and Lawrie so special in the eyes of investors? They're both known for turning around companies.
It should be noted that Microsoft isn't in any immediate trouble. The company continues to publish financial reports with profit, despite the falling sales of PCs. What is required is a fresh injection of life into the company, to match what has been done on the front with the new logo, unifying of products and the radical move to the Modern UI.
Windows Phone as a platform is still struggling to take off, no matter how positive individual region reports are. It's on the tipping point with recent news of Windows Phone hitting 8 percent across Europe; an accomplishment for both Microsoft and its OEM partners with the billions that have been invested already. Then you have Surface tablets to take into account, which we hope will be addressed with the upcoming Surface 2 event.
Whoever may be selected for the top seat at Microsoft, we're excited to see what new ideas and plans will be introduced.
Source: Reuters; thanks, Daniel, for the tip!
