Bye-Bye to Bill Gates?
When you begin to think about technology and the people involved, it's hard to imagine what life would be like today without Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, and Tom Anderson. All leaders in technology and media, they have somehow made a contribution that has shaped the way we live life as we know it. It's hard to image life without these guys, but they all have a life cycle. With the passing of Steve Jobs and Myspace (RIP), it is clear that leaders come, leave their staple, and go, and life goes on. One day Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram will die and we will on go on to the next big social media craze.
While some things are truly meant to be fads, it's hard to image a world without Microsoft, right? This thought may not be a reality anytime soon, but we do need to start wrapping our minds around the idea that Bill Gates might get the boot sooner than later.
A recent report was released on Tuesday from Reuters.com that made it clear that three of twenty top investors want him to step down from his role chairman. For nearly 40 years Gates has run a successful and powerful enterprise. Is it really his time to step down?
The investors argue that Gates limits the power of change. They believe that a fresh perspective, fresh ideas, and a new direction would be beneficial for the company. Some stakeholders believe that it was only a matter of time and that it is "long overdue". Others say that he has been less effective as a chairman than he was as a chief executive. Investors, shareholders, and customers look forward to a board that is fully engaged and prepared to take on industrial and company challenges.
On the flip side, Bill Gates is a business man with the mental capacity to do pretty much anything he wants. While his leadership role within Microsoft has provided great influence for the growth and well being of the company, he has moved on. Lately he has been heavily invested with philanthropy, working with the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. It has become his new "baby". While his priorities have been slowly changing, there is evidence that Gates planned for this. Prior to 1986, Gates owned 49% of Microsoft. Since then he has sold 80 million Microsoft shares per year, leaving him with approximately 4.5% ownership to this date. At this rate, Gates would rid himself of any financial stake in the company by 2018.
Although Gates is a technological pioneer, that does not mean that it is a lifetime duty to connect and server (lol, get it?). People outgrow things and develop new interests. Finding a new chairperson may not be the worst idea, as I am sure that Gates will be around for the transition and be willing to provide input for years to come. Realistically and brutally speaking, Gates is a computer man. In today's society mobile devices (smart phones, tablets, hybrids) are the focus. Not to say that Gates is not capable, but it has been shown that Microsoft is behind when it comes to mobile ANYTHING as they have been lacking as far as how they cater to mobile users. Microsoft needs someone that is invested, aware on the industry, its demand, and its changes, and is prepared to lead one of the world's most profitable companies out of it's current decline.
While some things are truly meant to be fads, it's hard to image a world without Microsoft, right? This thought may not be a reality anytime soon, but we do need to start wrapping our minds around the idea that Bill Gates might get the boot sooner than later.
A recent report was released on Tuesday from Reuters.com that made it clear that three of twenty top investors want him to step down from his role chairman. For nearly 40 years Gates has run a successful and powerful enterprise. Is it really his time to step down?
The investors argue that Gates limits the power of change. They believe that a fresh perspective, fresh ideas, and a new direction would be beneficial for the company. Some stakeholders believe that it was only a matter of time and that it is "long overdue". Others say that he has been less effective as a chairman than he was as a chief executive. Investors, shareholders, and customers look forward to a board that is fully engaged and prepared to take on industrial and company challenges.
On the flip side, Bill Gates is a business man with the mental capacity to do pretty much anything he wants. While his leadership role within Microsoft has provided great influence for the growth and well being of the company, he has moved on. Lately he has been heavily invested with philanthropy, working with the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. It has become his new "baby". While his priorities have been slowly changing, there is evidence that Gates planned for this. Prior to 1986, Gates owned 49% of Microsoft. Since then he has sold 80 million Microsoft shares per year, leaving him with approximately 4.5% ownership to this date. At this rate, Gates would rid himself of any financial stake in the company by 2018.
Although Gates is a technological pioneer, that does not mean that it is a lifetime duty to connect and server (lol, get it?). People outgrow things and develop new interests. Finding a new chairperson may not be the worst idea, as I am sure that Gates will be around for the transition and be willing to provide input for years to come. Realistically and brutally speaking, Gates is a computer man. In today's society mobile devices (smart phones, tablets, hybrids) are the focus. Not to say that Gates is not capable, but it has been shown that Microsoft is behind when it comes to mobile ANYTHING as they have been lacking as far as how they cater to mobile users. Microsoft needs someone that is invested, aware on the industry, its demand, and its changes, and is prepared to lead one of the world's most profitable companies out of it's current decline.
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