Mistakes maybe, successes definitely.
That was the general opinion of former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on his former employer while being interviewed at the University of Oxford's Said Business School today . Long known for his bombastic support of Microsoft, Ballmer took an unusual path saying he regretted that the company did not figure out how to create a viable mobile phone business back when it could have taken a leadership position and that if he would not mind taking a do over on the last decade.
"The thing I regret is that we didn't put the hardware and the software together soon enough," Ballmer said . Still, "if you really want to bring a vision to market, it is helpful to be able to conceive and deliver the hardware and the software. Our company is in the process of building new muscle."
Ballmer did regain his normal self and pointed out several of the company's major successes. This in light of the fact, he said, that most tech companies fail.
"They are zero-trick ponies. They never do anything well and they go away. You are a genius in the industry if you are a one-trick pony. You get some innovation right and then spin it. I am very proud of the fact that [Microsoft] has done at least two tricks. Tricks are worth billions and billions and billions of dollars," Ballmer said. He credited the company with producing two major "tricks." Helping create the modern personal computer by integrating the Windows OS and Office software and bringing microprocessor technology into data centers. He tacked on an extra half win for the Xbox. Although the jury is still out on Ballmer's last major move while at Microsoft's helm, he said the acquisition of Nokia for $7.2 billion last September should be considered one for the win column. Even though Microsoft's expertise remains on the software side of the business. "The name of the company is Micro-soft," he said, referring to the company's software roots. "Xbox, Surface and phones mean a pretty fundamental change to the way we self-identify and express our value-add." The move to buy Nokia obviously prayed upon Ballmer's mind as he said that besides having to fire or hire someone the Nokia decision created the most angst in his mind. Ballmer stepped down last month with Satya Nadella taking over as CEO.
