Steve Bulmer

The former CEO of Microsoft was Steve Ballmer, who served as CEO from 2000 to 2014, succeeding Bill Gates. Under his leadership, Microsoft saw significant developments, including the launch of Windows XP, Windows 7, and the introduction of the Xbox gaming console. When Steve Ballmer came to the helm of Microsoft on that January morning in 2000 the IT market was one simple monolithic mass. Windows was everywhere on PCs, in government, in schools, in churches, in space, on planes, and just about everywhere except perhaps on Linus computer. Only James Bond had a smartphone. Even the Europeans were happy with Internet Explorer and everyone loved a Windows PC.

Steve Ballmer served as the CEO of Microsoft from January 13, 2000, until February 4, 2014. During his tenure as CEO, Microsoft experienced a period of significant growth and transformation. Some notable highlights of his time as CEO include:

1. Windows Operating Systems: Under Ballmer's leadership, Microsoft released several major versions of the Windows operating system, including Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 8.
2. Office Suite: Microsoft Office continued to be a dominant product in the software market, with new versions and updates released during Ballmer's tenure.
3. Xbox: Microsoft entered the gaming console market with the launch of the Xbox and later the Xbox 360, establishing a strong presence in the gaming industry.
4. Cloud Services: Microsoft made significant investments in cloud computing and launched Microsoft Azure, its cloud platform.
5. Acquisitions: During Ballmer's time as CEO, Microsoft made important acquisitions, including the purchase of Skype in 2011.
6. Windows Phone: Microsoft introduced the Windows Phone operating system in an effort to compete in the mobile phone market, although it faced stiff competition from iOS and Android.

Steve Ballmer's leadership at Microsoft was marked by both successes and challenges, and his tenure played a significant role in shaping the company's direction during a dynamic period in the technology industry. In 2014, he was succeeded as CEO by Satya Nadella, who has continued to lead Microsoft through further transformations and successes.

Steve Ballmer's tenure as CEO of Microsoft, while marked by notable successes, also faced some challenges and perceived failures. People hate him so much, that Microsoft shares rose by 6% when he announced his impending retirement. Ironically he made a cool $786 million from the market by essentially firing himself. During his reign, Ballmer knew failure more than he did success and he will mostly be remembered for his failures; all his successes were conveniently forgotten. Instead of being known for the Xbox, Azure, Windows XP, and Windows 7 which were successes, when people hear Ballmer’s name they are quick to throw the failure of “Vista” and Windows 8 to his face. 

Here are a few key areas where critics have pointed to shortcomings during his time as CEO:

1. Mobile Strategy: One of the most frequently cited criticisms was Microsoft's struggle in the mobile market. Despite efforts, including the launch of the Windows Phone, Microsoft's mobile operating system failed to gain significant market share against competitors like iOS and Android. His failed ventures into the smartphone and tablet market. Windows Phone has had limited success penetrating the market with only about 10% market share in a market that is dominated by the iOS-Android. 
2. Missed Opportunities in Search and Advertising: Microsoft faced challenges in gaining traction in the search engine market, despite investments in Bing. Additionally, the company was criticized for not effectively capitalizing on the potential of online advertising.
3. Late Entry into Cloud Computing: While Microsoft eventually became a major player in cloud computing with the launch of Microsoft Azure, the company was criticized for being late to the game, allowing competitors like Amazon Web Services (AWS) to establish significant leads.
4. Windows Vista Reception: The release of Windows Vista, which occurred early in Ballmer's tenure, faced criticism for performance issues and compatibility challenges, leading some to view it as a disappointment.
5. Stock Performance: During Ballmer's time as CEO, Microsoft's stock price saw periods of stagnation and did not experience the same level of growth as some of its tech peers.
6. Integration of Acquisitions: Some critics argued that Microsoft faced challenges in effectively integrating acquired companies, leading to missed opportunities and underperformance in certain areas.

It's important to note that assessing the performance of any CEO, particularly in a company as large and complex as Microsoft, is a nuanced task. While there were areas where Microsoft faced challenges during Ballmer's leadership, there were also significant successes, including the continued dominance of Windows and Office, the launch of successful products like Xbox 360, and the growth of enterprise services under his tenure.