Posted by Sean Doyle, June 3, 2010
Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO and monkey dance enthusiast, took time at the Wall Street Journal's All Things Digital D8 Conference to state the obvious. Said Ballmy, "We missed the whole cycle." After a strong start, MSFT is now fifth in the mobile phone market. This is a familiar tale for those who have followed the tech titan for the last ten years. On every major technological trend that has emerged in the aughts decade Ballmer and crew have forever been a day late and a dollar short.
Now, (depending on who you believe....read this and this) Apple has now passed Microsoft in Market Cap for the first time in history. Even if there is some technical issues with that point, there is no debate as to Mr. Softy's sad performance under Steve Ballmer. Below is a ten year chart from Silicon Alley Insider illustrating just how far Microsoft has fallen in comparison to it's greatest rival.
Graphic courtesy of Silicon Alley Insider.
From search to social networking, iPods, iPads, and iPhones, Ballmy has missed every chance to innovate in the tech sector. Forever playing catch up to it's sexier and more limber competitors is not a strong business model. Ballmer is a brilliant guy, but maybe the time is ripe for Microsoft to replace their wily coach.
No comments:
Post a Comment