Microsoft - Togetherness.(appointment of Steve Ballmer as CEO of Microsoft is not a real change in company strategy)

Economist (US), The, January, 2000

There is both more and less than meets the eye to the decision of Bill Gates to pass the chief executive's mantle to his best friend, Steve Ballmer

IT IS still business as usual at the world's biggest software company. Steve Ballmer, who used to run sales, took over the day-to-day management of Microsoft 18 months ago, allowing Mr Gates to retreat into a more "visionary" role. The new arrangement, under which Mr Gates remains as chairman, but assumes the title of chief software architect, merely formalises the current reality--reflected in the minimal impact the announcement had on the firm's shares.

Nor does the move presage a change in strategy. A belligerent Mr Ballmer reaffirmed the company's hardline approach to defending the continuing...

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