A Substitute for Ballmer: The Insiders

If Ballmer resigns, the question we have to ask ourselves is obvious: who will succeed him? There are several names circulating, but none seems like a clear favorite, and we won't know until Microsoft's committee decides. Meanwhile, in Xataka Windows we are going to review the possible candidates.

The truth is that it is not easy to find someone who can replace Ballmer. Microsoft is a company with many, many open fronts, and its CEO has to be able to coordinate all of them and carry them out in a common strategy. One Microsoft, as Ballmer himself said when the reorganization of the management team was announced: it will not be easy.

Bill Gates: no

The first option that will sound familiar to many will be Bill Gates. Would it be possible for the founder to make a return to Jobs? The answer is quick: no .

Even if you are not convinced by his statements that he is not going to return to Microsoft, the fact that he is part of the committee that is going to choose the new CEO should clear up any doubt.

The Insiders: Tami Reller, Julie Larson-Green or Satya Nadella

If Microsoft wants to continue with the same strategy that it is following up to now, it is very likely that the CEO will be someone from within the company. An unknown, Satya Nadella, seems well positioned by his experience: director of the business services division, vice president of R&D in the online services division, president of Servers and Tools and now head of the Cloud division and Business.Knowledge of the different parts of Microsoft, but does not seem to have the innovative profile that the CEO needs.

The other names that come up are those of Sinofsky's replacements: Tami Reller and Julie Larson-Green . The first is in charge of all Microsoft marketing after having been the financial manager of the Windows section.

The second, perhaps the best positioned, has been rising at Microsoft since she joined 20 years ago. She was responsible for the famous Ribbon bar that first appeared in Office, and when Sinofsky left for the Windows division with her entire team, she was one of the main people responsible for planning Windows 7 and 8. After the departure of Sinofsky, Larson-Green became the head of Windows engineering, and is now in charge of the hardware, games, music, and entertainment division.

Those who would return: Sinofsky and Elop

" Steve Sinofsky left Microsoft almost a year ago, and now it looks like he might be back if he&39;s elected CEO. He has revamped Office and Windows, and it fits perfectly with Microsoft&39;s strategy of devices and services. However, he was not exactly the most liked boss and had several conflicts with Ballmer and other managers. Perhaps as CEO he would function better, with no one above him, but that doesn&39;t seem likely."

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Stephen Elop, another ex-Microsoft, is the other bet. The one who was the trojan horse>"

Outsiders

A CEO from outside Microsoft is the next possibility, perhaps more focused for a change in the company's strategy. Tony Bates, the former CEO of Skype, could land Ballmer's job. While it's true that Bates is currently vice president of business development, strategy, and evangelism at Microsoft, he's practically new to the company compared to the rest of the names on the list.

Other names that sound are Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix; or even Scott Forstall , who stepped down as head of Apple's iOS division in 2007. Both could bring experience in fields where Microsoft has a long way to go, but they don't seem like very plausible names.

In your opinion, who do you think will be the new CEO of Microsoft?