Steve Ballmer has sent his last annual letter to shareholders and his final message is simple: “We changed the world.”
In his annual letter Balmer explains the company’s shift to becoming a devices and services company which has included a major staff reorganization effort and increased marketing efforts for upcoming products.
“As I think about what’s ahead, I’m incredibly optimistic about what Microsoft will deliver,” Ballmer writers. “We are accelerating as we bring to market Windows 8.1 PCs and tablets with our partners, Surface 2, Xbox One and new phones; advance our enterprise services including Windows Server, Windows Azure, Microsoft Dynamics and Office 365; and innovate on new high-value activities.”
Ballmer also took a moment to tout his company’s financial successes during his tenure at the company’s Chief Executive Officer.
“We have seen incredible results in the past decade — delivering more than $200 billion in operating profit,” he wrote. “I’m optimistic not only as the CEO but as an investor who treasures his Microsoft stock.”
In a final sendoff Ballmer concludes, “Working at Microsoft has been a thrilling experience — we’ve changed the world and delivered record-setting success — and I know our best days are still ahead.”
Microsoft’s board of directors are already searching for a new CEO and in August it was announced that Steve Ballmer would step down from his role “within a year.”
Among the company’s possible successors are Nokia CEO Stephen Elop, and Ford CEO Alan Mulally. With Microsoft recently acquiring Nokia, Elop seems like a safe choice but nothing it guaranteed at this time.
Ballmer might believe he has changed the world but investors seem to think he slowed that progress. After the company announced Ballmer’s plans to leave the CEO role the company’s stock value increased .
Who do you think should replace Steve Ballmer at Microsoft’s new CEO? If I had my way Elon Musk would surprise everyone and take over with some real innovation for a change. It’s not going to happen but a boy can dream.