10 Reasons Why Steve Ballmer Should Be Fired

By Jim on June 10th, 2008

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Microsoft has gone from being a feared technology powerhouse to being a mocked has-been and shell of its former self. The glory days of being able to run roughshod over competitors and instill a sense of terror in rivals have come to a screeching halt as competitors such as Google, Sony, and Apple have rolled out incredible products and services that put Microsoft’s own products to shame.

But why? What’s been happening inside of Microsoft that has resulted in the former software giant becoming a pale echo of its former self? Well they say that a fish rots from the head down and in Microsoft’s case the fish’s head has been rotting and stinking up the technology world for a long time and, frankly, it’s time for him to go.

Yup, it’s time for Steve Ballmer to be fired and for Microsoft to find new, fresh leadership while Ballmer is put out to pasture like an age-hobbled cow (or is it horses that get put out to pasture when they get older? Well whatever, I’ll just go with the cow thing). Well…actually…come to think of it…not all cows get put out to pasture, some get turned into hamburger. Give him his due, Ballmer would make one hell of a hamburger patty these days.

Let’s look at the top ten reasons Steve Ballmer should be fired. And I’ve even included a bonus reason too.

10. Microsoft’s Stock Price
Now I’m no stock picking guru nor would I ever give anybody advice on investing in this or that stock. But Microsoft’s stock performance over the last 5 years has been abysmal. Part of a chief executive’s job is to add value to his company’s stock and Ballmer clearly hasn’t gotten that part of the job done.

If you invested in Microsoft five years ago, chances are you would have been a lot happier investing in Google or Apple. Now why is that? If Microsoft is all about innovation then why hasn’t that been reflected in the stock price? Why has it languished for so long compared to Google or Apple? Shouldn’t Microsoft investors have been reaping the financial glory of Ballmer’s leadership?

Oops…never mind I guess they have been reaping the glory. Microsoft’s stock price is a direct reflection of Ballmer’s ineffective leadership.

For letting Microsoft’s stock price stagnate for years—Steve Ballmer should be fired.

9. Overheating Xboxes
Microsoft’s entry into the video game console business has cost it a lot of money. The company has had to go head-to-head with Sony and Nintendo, both of whom have better products (in different ways) than Microsoft’s lame Xbox 360. As if not having the innovative game play of the Wii or the coolness factor of the PS3’s Blu-ray drive isn’t bad enough, Microsoft has put out a bunch of nasty Xbox 360s that overheated and had to be returned and replaced.

I speak from personal experience because I bought one for my mom’s husband. He was going through chemotherapy at the time and he wanted a new system to replace his old PS2. While I personally favored the Nintendo Wii, I honored his wishes and got him an Xbox 360. Well within a few weeks the piece of junk had overheated and burned out on him. He called Microsoft and had to deal with a snotty support person that made him return it. It was weeks before he got another one.

Obviously a Nintendo Wii would have been a much better idea, in retrospect.

For letting his company release junky, overheating Xbox 360s and for snotty customer service representatives, Steve Ballmer should be fired.