This morning, a Wall Street Journal article points out that Bill Gates is truly finished in the daily workings of Microsoft, and feels that over the past eight years he has successfully groomed Steve Ballmer for the task of running the world’s largest software company.

Mary-Jo Foley, at ZDNet then states that Gates was asked explicitly if, in the case of a crisis, he would return to help ‘right the ship’. His answer was a definite no.

This is not at all surprising, as ‘the ship’ is pitching and yawing  uncontrollably right now, and if he is too detached at this moment in time, he will never be able to get back to a vision where he sees things from an external, encompassing view.

At the end of her article, Ms. Foley has a small survey, to get a take of what the readers think. At the point I read it, the largest responses were to the effect that Gates is leaving at the correct time (must me Microsoft employees responding here), followed closely by the response that Gates should be going, and Ballmer right behind – this is the viewpoint of this writer.

What’s your take?

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Quote of the day: 
If you don’t know what to do, call the media and at least give the appearance of doing something. - David Peterson

Technorati Tags: Wall Street Journal - Bill Gates - retirement - Chairman - Steve Ballmer - Microsoft - survey - ZDNet

[tags] Wall Street Journal, Bill Gates, retirement, Chairman, Steve Ballmer, Microsoft, survey, ZDNet [/tags]