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Stephen Elop is Ready for Big Change at Microsoft

By - Source: Tom's Hardware US | B 24 comments
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With the departure of a good chunk of Microsoft's old guard and a series of big moves that have left consumers skeptical of the 800 pound gorilla of the tech world, Stephen Elop just might be the person to set the company back on the right track.

In an interview with Engadget, he dropped some surprisingly honest opinions and said "I'm looking forward to being a part of driving that change within the company in whatever capacity.” Already in charge of overseeing the integration of Nokia into the M, Elop mentioned that he thinks that Microsoft needs to catch up with the rest of the pack.

"The big moves in technology tend to come when there's a major change in the user interaction model, how you interact with the device," commenting on the rise of touch. "At a certain point, those new user interaction models are figured out and take hold, and that heralds a whole new generation of experiences. And of course, we're all working vigorously on those types of things, and you'll see us work towards those in the future."

He acknowledged that many of the "killer apps" that are the bread and butter of iPhone and Android users are just now coming to Windows Phone – the company has a long way to go, but thinks that Microsoft can still compete. Targeting both the high-end power users and entry-level consumers with the Lumia 1520 and Asha series, Nokia has demonstrated a balanced approach to expansion that, even with the introduction of a "budget" iPhone 5c, isn't quite matched by other hardware manufacturers.

If Elop really is on top of it all as he seems to be, Microsoft may just have a path to success after years of floundering about, gradually losing their user base.

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  • 1 Hide
    SR-71 Blackbird , October 27, 2013 10:43 AM
    Go Steve right the ship!!!!!!!!!
  • 0 Hide
    Bolts Romano , October 27, 2013 11:19 AM
    If Stephen can bring the beauty design of Nokia to Microsoft, you are doing an excellent job.
  • 0 Hide
    jhansonxi , October 27, 2013 11:28 AM
    Follow this link for actual content:
    http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/22/nokia-world-stephen-elop-interview/
  • Display all 24 comments.
  • 1 Hide
    scrumworks , October 27, 2013 12:18 PM
    Thanks Stephen for raping Nokia.
  • 5 Hide
    Vorador2 , October 27, 2013 12:27 PM
    In the three years he was in Nokia to "turn it around", sales dropped like a rock, shares hit an all-time low and at the end, cut the company in pieces and sold it.

    I wouldn't trust this guy to change any company for the better.
  • 2 Hide
    jimmike , October 27, 2013 12:36 PM
    "Stephen Elop is Ready for Big Change at Microsoft".

    In precisely the same manner in which he was ready for BIG CHANGE at Nokia?
    Good luck, all you Microsoft investors.
  • 0 Hide
    DanKegel , October 27, 2013 1:19 PM
    Hasn't he been in charge of integrating Nokia into Microsoft for the last three years?
  • -3 Hide
    Pinhedd , October 27, 2013 1:20 PM
    Quote:
    that Elop guy just made nokia lose a shietload of money , don't think he's a good candidate


    Nokia made Nokia lose a shitload of money. They were failing long before Elop was brought on board.
  • 0 Hide
    JD88 , October 27, 2013 1:38 PM
    Nokia was facing competition unlike ever before in its lifetime so blaming Elop entirely probably isn't fair. However, it could be argued that Nokia could have done better had it adopted Android early on. Microsoft should be counting its blessings that it didn't or else Windows Phone OS wouldn't have anywhere close to the success it has today as Nokia design and map technology are two of the top reasons to buy a Windows Phone
  • 1 Hide
    mariusmotea , October 27, 2013 1:44 PM
    Elop must get his prize after what hi did to Nokia.
  • 0 Hide
    srap , October 27, 2013 1:46 PM
    Quote:
    Nokia made Nokia lose a shitload of money. They were failing long before Elop was brought on board.

    That doesn't mean Elop could not or did not quicken the fall of Nokia.
  • 2 Hide
    poik , October 27, 2013 2:51 PM
    Nokia was still #1 when Elop took over. Symbian (I think that was the OS) had a greater share than MS ever has at about 15% but with their "dumb phones" they were #1 world wide. Elop's singular focus on Windows Phone killed Nokia. Their investment of about $5-billion netted them a loss in every market. They went from #1 to around 10. He was the guy who made the decision to jettison everything for Windows Phone. He's the guy who single handedly handed Samsung the #1 title. Yes, they had competition prior to Elop's tenure, but he nuked a ship that was bailing out the excess water. Windows Phone went from a handful of followers to alienating everyone. I'm sure it's not 100% Elop's fault but he shoulders a good amount of the blame and shouldn't be let anywhere near a company trying for a turn around.
  • -1 Hide
    Bolts Romano , October 27, 2013 6:09 PM
    Quote:
    Nokia was facing competition unlike ever before in its lifetime so blaming Elop entirely probably isn't fair. However, it could be argued that Nokia could have done better had it adopted Android early on. Microsoft should be counting its blessings that it didn't or else Windows Phone OS wouldn't have anywhere close to the success it has today as Nokia design and map technology are two of the top reasons to buy a Windows Phone


    Many people do not realize Nokia already losing in all front prior Elop.
    Without Elop or Microsoft, Nokia already in the same faith as Ericsson.

  • 0 Hide
    JD88 , October 27, 2013 7:46 PM
    Quote:

    Many people do not realize Nokia already losing in all front prior Elop.
    Without Elop or Microsoft, Nokia already in the same faith as Ericsson.



    True, but the decision to continue to neglect Android entirely in favor of Windows likely accelerated the process. Elop's former experience with (and likely bias in favor of) Microsoft was most certainly a major determining factor in this decision.

    I'm not saying using Windows phone was a horrible idea as it helped differentiate Nokia from others, but there was no reason why Nokia could not have also released Android phones at the same time to appeal to a much wider audience.

    Elop is also responsible for the terrible product marketing of the Lumia line. The alphanumeric naming scheme was convoluted and confusing in a market that favors simplicity. There was no opportunity for an individual flagship model to achieve any sort of recognition because of so many variants. Steve Ballmer himself admitted as much when MS took over.

    My Fiance has a Lumia 928 and always tells people she has "The Windows Phone." I'm not sure she even knows it's called the Lumia or 928 and frankly doesn't care.

    Elop hasn't shown he has any sort of outstanding insight into market trends or any sort of innovative ideology up his sleeve. He is most definitely the wrong person to lead Microsoft unless you want more misdirection.
  • 0 Hide
    iam2thecrowe , October 27, 2013 9:29 PM
    microsoft dont need a change, they need to do more of what they used to do, but better/more efficiantly. HINT ditch windows 8 metro ui, most people opt not to use it, or at least make it an option. Give us a productive business OS with good hardware support back
  • 0 Hide
    kartu , October 27, 2013 10:48 PM
    The only thing Nokia needed to do, to stop losing market share, was to GO ANDROID. Not necessarily exclusively (Samsung and others also make Windows phones).

    They have become #1 EXACTLY BY PLAYING ULTRA-LOW MARGINS GAME. Nobody could beat them there.

    Becoming Microsoft's exclusive delivery boys was such a stupid move, that looks more like a sabotage than an attempt to improve things at Nokia.
  • 0 Hide
    rokit , October 28, 2013 12:01 AM
    Sink dat ship Elop, you can do it, bye Mikes see you in endless Metrohell.
  • 0 Hide
    velocityg4 , October 28, 2013 6:21 AM
    He's just another suit. A part of the CEO club. In other words not the person to make new inroads for Microsoft.

    It's funny that big companies always become big from innovators and entrepreneurs. Then when it comes to replacing the person it is always some suit. One whom does not have that personality to push and innovate. Rather they are just seen as safe bets to manage and maintain.
  • 0 Hide
    southernshark , October 28, 2013 7:25 AM
    Elop has shown zero creativity intuition or insight... so yeah perfect guy to lead MS.
  • 0 Hide
    vaughn2k , October 28, 2013 7:33 AM
    Yeah, bringing in the 800 pound gorilla, in the riht track going into it's cage... and into its demise...
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