Ford's Alan Mulally Could Be Next Microsoft CEO

[mariusmotea]

Elop has done a great job with Nokia. He deserves to be the next Microsoft CEO.

 

[Jarmo]

Shut down Win phone and tablet developement, fire 10 thousand workers.
Immediate profitability boost, collect hefty bonuses on the way out to the next job.

 

[tntom]

Who have drive Ford lately? can share with us how the Ford Sync works now?
How long does it take to get it right? This is just an in car navigation system and it takes so long to iron out the bugs and do not mention the UI

I am not sure if you say this with knowledge that Sync is a Windows Embedded Automotive operating system designed by Microsoft or not. The UI is designed by Ford and that falls squarely on Ford. Wikipedia has more details.
I would not think Sync is a good measure of how well Mulally can manage software development Company.
He would have the benefits of not being emotionally connected to certain Microsoft products, which may open up their business model. It will be interesting to see who they choose.

 

[jkflipflop98]

Within Microsoft, there are thousands of bright software engineers. A lot of them really do have a passion for making good software. For a few of them even it's been their entire life's dream to code programs that help people's everyday lives.

But instead of making one of those guys the leader of your software company, you've seemingly thrown a dart at the stock section of the paper.

 

[gm0n3y]

While Mulally might be a good pick, I'm not sure why he would want to leave Ford. He has been doing a good job there turning around and then keeping the company on track. I guess $$ talks, but I'd be surprised if Ford didn't counter-offer.

 

[Bolts Romano]

@golesky

Exactly. People reading this see only that he is leading an automobile company and feel it disqualifies him from anything else.

A leader figures out what is right, what is wrong and puts together a team capable of leading the company, letting them do what they do best.

I disagree with the opinion where people undermine him because he came from an automobile background. Do not get wrong, He did an excellent job as a CEO for Ford, and without doubt he has his own skills to do that.
However to become a CEO is not just sit and telling people what to do. He must understand how it works, the culture inside the business, how to envision it and be wise to guide the subordinate.

This is the reason why we never have the best general in the world came from sales background for example

 

[Tuishimi]

@golesky

Exactly. People reading this see only that he is leading an automobile company and feel it disqualifies him from anything else.

A leader figures out what is right, what is wrong and puts together a team capable of leading the company, letting them do what they do best.

I disagree with the opinion where people undermine him because he came from an automobile background. Do not get wrong, He did an excellent job as a CEO for Ford, and without doubt he has his own skills to do that.
However to become a CEO is not just sit and telling people what to do. He must understand how it works, the culture inside the business, how to envision it and be wise to guide the subordinate.

This is the reason why we never have the best general in the world came from sales background for example

I can understand why you think that but a good CEO is involved at a very high, directional level. He CAN'T be involved in the mechanisms of the machine. A good CEO is a communicator and leader and he knows how to hire good staff and how to use his staff.

Sometimes engineers make terrible CEO's... take DEC for example. While Olsen was well liked, he lacked the sort of foresight and hiring savvy that could have saved DEC YEARS before it began to decline.

Jobs wasn't very good the first time around either. He learned a lot from his failures.

But I do agree with you in some cases... the CEO of the company I work for worked her way up through the ranks to become President. Part of her success was that she really knew the business, but more so she simply happens to be very dynamic and very persuasive and a fantastic leader. She also learned to rely on the people she pays to come up with direction and new products to a great extent.

 

[Bolts Romano]

@golesky

Exactly. People reading this see only that he is leading an automobile company and feel it disqualifies him from anything else.

A leader figures out what is right, what is wrong and puts together a team capable of leading the company, letting them do what they do best.

I disagree with the opinion where people undermine him because he came from an automobile background. Do not get wrong, He did an excellent job as a CEO for Ford, and without doubt he has his own skills to do that.
However to become a CEO is not just sit and telling people what to do. He must understand how it works, the culture inside the business, how to envision it and be wise to guide the subordinate.

This is the reason why we never have the best general in the world came from sales background for example

I can understand why you think that but a good CEO is involved at a very high, directional level. He CAN'T be involved in the mechanisms of the machine. A good CEO is a communicator and leader and he knows how to hire good staff and how to use his staff.

Sometimes engineers make terrible CEO's... take DEC for example. While Olsen was well liked, he lacked the sort of foresight and hiring savvy that could have saved DEC YEARS before it began to decline.

Jobs wasn't very good the first time around either. He learned a lot from his failures.

But I do agree with you in some cases... the CEO of the company I work for worked her way up through the ranks to become President. Part of her success was that she really knew the business, but more so she simply happens to be very dynamic and very persuasive and a fantastic leader. She also learned to rely on the people she pays to come up with direction and new products to a great extent.

@Tuishimi
Good Point and I respect that. Lets hope MS Board of Director manage to find the right person to run the company

 

[beta tester]

Isn't this the same guy who oversaw Boeing's plastic plane, the 787 Dreamliner? And we know how that ended up.

 

[dvo]

Isn't this the same guy who oversaw Boeing's plastic plane, the 787 Dreamliner? And we know how that ended up.

no.

 

[sykozis]

Who have drive Ford lately? can share with us how the Ford Sync works now?
How long does it take to get it right? This is just an in car navigation system and it takes so long to iron out the bugs and do not mention the UI

Sync is NOT "just an in car navigation system". Sync is an "INFOtainment" system.

 

[Bolts Romano]

Who have drive Ford lately? can share with us how the Ford Sync works now?
How long does it take to get it right? This is just an in car navigation system and it takes so long to iron out the bugs and do not mention the UI

Sync is NOT "just an in car navigation system". Sync is an "INFOtainment" system.

Hi Sykoziz, in that case Alan Mullaly is not a good candidate to run Microsoft, What Microsoft needs now is a person with good understanding the meaning of these words: Aesthetic, Elegant. I rather to have Buick or Cadillac product manager to run MS