Is Bill Gates' Return Good for Microsoft and Good for You?
What do you think of Bill Gates return to Microsoft as Technology Advisor?
The big news in tech yesterday was Microsoft naming Satya Nadella as its new CEO. Along with that was also the reveal that Bill Gates will be stepping down as chairman and taking on a new, more active role at Microsoft as Technology Advisor.
Bill Gates will be more involved in the direction of Microsoft, which in itself is just as interesting as the new leadership from Nadella. Gates said that it was Nadella who requested that he step up to assume a greater role. That could be Nadella's first major decision as the new Microsoft CEO, but was it a good call?
Read more: Why is Bill Gates Back at Microsoft?
Gates is one of the founders of Microsoft, and his new role is focused on next-generation products. This could be exactly what Microsoft needs to bring back innovation. One could argue that this is the most vital thing Microsoft needs, and Gates should actually take the reigns on steering the entire company in the direction of making innovative products. Of course, two heads are often better than one, so Gates looking after products while Nadella focuses on the new frontiers in cloud and mobile could be the one-two punch to success.
On the other hand, Gates has been out of the business for a long time, and much has changed in the 14 years since he was Microsoft's CEO. Maybe what Microsoft really needs is a fresh start; Satya Nadella's engineering background and business experience could be the right mix. Someone with a bold agenda doesn't need the old guard looking over his shoulder.
Furthermore, Gates has moved on to what many would say are bigger and better things. His work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is making the world a better place. While better technology can also improve lives, the Foundation is having a direct positive impact where many people need help today.
What do you think of Bill Gates' return to Microsoft? Will he bring glory, or will he be a distraction? Vote in our poll and also sound off in the comments below!
Read more: New Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Has His Head in the Cloud
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Very good analysis. Microsoft's culture has always been one of entitlement since they have had no competition until recently.
The new navigation is a new "feature" in 2014. Before that it was one article per page. Not sure why it was changed and this new method does seem annoying.
I agree with you on the licensing fee issue. The success of both iOS and Google OSes has created new platform in which the customers are getting used to not paying for the OS, and the reduced cost on the devices as a result. While there is good justifications for a company is entitled to charge for its OS, the new platforms are challenging this business approach. Microsoft needs to rethink their mobile pricing strategy. And while the other platforms start to erode into their desktop platforms as well, they will soon have to rethink the desktop OS pricing strategy as well. Time is ticking and they really have to turn around the situation soon.
A radical change is needed. Fixing Win8 is going to be difficult. Using the Linux Kernel for Win9 would be a great start. ie. Copying in an innovative way and they can put the Tiled Windows on it or other shells people prefer. They can fork Android 4.4 into their WP9 as well. Perfectly legal and much hard work but the result could well BEAT Google since google had to put their interests first in Android. MS do not need to!, Amazon has done it. B&N as well. MS can do a much better job at it. Why start from scratch when you can leap-frog your competitors from their shoulders ??!.
If MS can get to their old ways and execute better, it will do well. Stop trying to keep legacy compatibly. Enterprise users can RDT/Citrix into the server for old stuff and they already do. Now what to do with BING ?.