The Associated Press reports that Microsoft Corp. has announced its new chief executive officer in the person of insider Satya Nadella. Nadella has been in the shortlist of candidates to replace former CEO Steve Ballmer. And as expected, founder Bill Gates will be taking on an active role as the firm's technology adviser as he steps down from his post as company chairman, AP added. Nadella, said AP, has been instrumental in the financial successes of some of Microsoft's business units, of which, earlier reports had said might have played a big role in the Indian-born's hiring.
Gates said of Nadella's appointment in a statement, "Satya is a proven leader with hard-core engineering skills, business vision and the ability to bring people together. His vision for how technology will be used and experienced around the world is exactly what Microsoft needs as the company enters its next chapter of expanded product innovation and growth."
BBC raised a nagging question from commentators: Was Gates pushed or did he made a conscious decision to jump? The Wall Street Journal underscored the slowing growth of the company in the technology market despite posting better than expected results in its latest quarter report.
Although Gates said that his new role in the firm will be time-consuming in nature, BBC said Gates playing a hand in the company's future strategies could go both ways. Citing his knack for hiring smart people and his poor timing with implementing strategies, BBC questioned whether Gates still has the capacity to contribute to the success of the firm.
On the other hand, a Forbes article read that maybe Gates wanted to avoid the scrutiny of his every move in the move as he attempts to revive the company and make it more competitive.
Investors clearly have favored the news about Gates new role and potential influence to the company's future strategies, as shares of the company stock increased $0.15 to $36.63 the morning of the announcement, Yahoo said.
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