Although the process has only just kicked off, the search for Microsoft’s next CEO has already taken some interesting turns.
Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, shocked his organisation and the tech industry by announcing his retirement earlier this year, after 13 years as the organisation’s CEO. He will be retiring within 12 months.
Unlike Ballmer, who was handpicked by Bill Gates as his successor, the search for Microsoft’s next CEO involves a committee which includes Gates, as well as current and former CEOs and CFOs of large organisations.
Executive search heavyweight Heidrick & Struggles has also been enlisted.
Following Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia, however, it is believed Ballmer may be grooming Stephen Elop, CEO of Nokia and former head of the Business Division at Microsoft, to take over.
Elop is often referred to as the “prodigal son” of Microsoft.
In what is perhaps more a sign of the times than anything officially endorsed by Microsoft, a website (www.nextmicrosoftceo.com) has launched to poll who the general public thinks should head Microsoft. The website has no registration, and anyone can vote or submit a possible CEO to be added to the list (provided they are a relevant choice).
While certainly designed in a light-hearted fashion, the list does provide some insight into who consumers of Microsoft products would like to see in the position of CEO. Examples thus far include Gabe Newell, managing director of Valve Corporation, Linus Torvalds, software engineer of Linux Foundation, and Larry Page, CEO of Google.
Quickly finding an already appropriate, external candidate to become CEO may be Microsoft’s only option, as there does not appear to have been adequate succession planning established to fit Ballmer’s timeframe.
“CEO succession is a process that should be on-going within an organisation and is one of the most, if not the most important task of the Chairman and the Board,” Nicholas Conigrave, associate director at Hay Group Australia, told HC.
“For organisations to succeed in today’s turbulent times, they need to develop a culture of agility that engages and enables the Board and the executives to shift their strategy to meet the changing dynamics in their market place,” he added.
Conigravesaid CEOs must be able to reflect the changing context an organisation may find itself in, and be agile enough to execute change where necessary.
Key HR Takeaways
Conigrave views CEO succession planning as a long process. Succeeding here is crucial to the future of any organisation, and involves a number of steps:
Have you been involved in finding a new CEO for your organisation? How did you go about it?
