By ROBERT EVATT Tech Writer on Aug 23, 2013, at 9:53 AM Updated on 8/23 at 9:53 AM
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Well, this was certainly a big shocker to try to absorb before the morning caffeine jolt:
Microsoft announced CEO Steve Ballmer will retire within the next 12 months.
The timing of this is certainly bizarre. Just a month ago, the company announced a major restructuring that shuffled around pretty much every executive except Ballmer. What changed between then and now? Did the restructuring not generate all the goodwill they were hoping for? Is their next quarterly report looking particularly bad? Or did Ballmer himself just decide it was time?
Here's what he said:
“There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time. We have embarked on a new strategy with a new organization and we have an amazing Senior Leadership Team. My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our company’s transformation to a devices and services company. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction.”
Though Microsoft will be losing the 30th person Bill Gates hired when he started the company, this is probably a necessary move. Microsoft's been in an amazing slump lately -- Windows 8 has annoyed a huge number of PC users, the Surface tablet has been a flop, Windows Phone hasn't been able to gain traction and the Xbox One had so many restrictions the entire Internet turned against it (though all those restrictions have since been reversed). Microsoft is in dire need of a fresh perspective, and this change gives me hope the company agrees.
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