Ex-Microsoft executive criticizes Ballmer in exposé-book

Posted on Tuesday, January 22 2013 @ 13:55 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
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Neowin writes former Microsoft executive Joachim Kempin is the latest to slam Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. In his book, Resolve and Fortitude: Microsoft's "secret power broker", Kempin reveals Ballmer is a nuisance to work with and recommends that he should step down from the CEO position to become Microsoft's Chief Operating Officer.
Kempin says that Ballmer has found a way to drive anyone in the company away who Ballmer saw as a threat to his leadership. He stated, "When you work that directly with Ballmer and Ballmer believes 'maybe this guy could someday take over from me', my God, you will have less air to breathe, that's what it comes down to."

He feels that Ballmer should step down from CEO and become its chief operating officer, adding, "I respect that guy (Ballmer), but there are some limitations in what he can and can't do and maybe he hasn't realized them himself."
Kempin was Microsoft's head of Windows OEM sales and worked at the software giant between 1983 and 2002.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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