Live data from Hacker News

Is Steve Ballmer the Most Underrated CEO of the 21st Century?

blog.jovono.com

1–10 of 116 posts

Re: Is Steve Ballmer the Most Underrated CEO of the 21st Century?

#5

I've had the same thought for a long time. I think this is spot-on. Ballmer is underrated in that he put Microsoft into a profoundly well-resourced position that a better product leader was then able to make productive use of.

I'd love to have Ballmer back. The Microsoft products I use (Windows) have become increasingly crappified under current leadership.

Re: Is Steve Ballmer the Most Underrated CEO of the 21st Century?

#6
"Steve Ballmer played a powerful part in Microsoft’s comeback" (2019):

* https://qz.com/1551842/steve-ballmer-played-a-powerful-part-...

"Satya Nadella credits Steve Ballmer for pushing Microsoft into the cloud":

* https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/16/satya-nadella-credits-ballme...

I think the biggest knock against Ballmer was not being able to figure out a (smart)phone strategy that ended up working. Having more than just Android and iOS would probably have been a better situation for everyone to be in.

Re: Is Steve Ballmer the Most Underrated CEO of the 21st Century?

#7
post #4

We need to be asking who the most overrated are. They are the ones who can exploit their positions to do real harm. (Lookin' at you, Sloe Mnuk.)

jack welch ?

Having worked at GE, during Neutron Jack's time, I concur.

Re: Is Steve Ballmer the Most Underrated CEO of the 21st Century?

#9
Honestly we as consumers might have been better off with Microsoft’s vision of a Windows computer in each home acting as the hub of digital life and monetization through purchase of hardware and software instead of our current model where the hubs are large centralized services and monetization is through ads.

Re: Is Steve Ballmer the Most Underrated CEO of the 21st Century?

#10

I've had the same thought for a long time. I think this is spot-on. Ballmer is underrated in that he put Microsoft into a profoundly well-resourced position that a better product leader was then able to make productive use of.

I'd love to have Ballmer back. The Microsoft products I use (Windows) have become increasingly crappified under current leadership.

Ballmer was there when Longhorn/Vista happened.
Post reply on HN