Bill Gates Steps Back from Microsoft's Day-to-Day Operations

Bill Gates, the co-founder and chairman of Microsoft, has announced that he will be taking a step back from the day-to-day running of the company to focus on technology and new products. This move comes as Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's executive vice president for sales and support, has been promoted to group president. In his new role, Ballmer will be responsible for concentrating on Microsoft's relationship with its customers.

Gates will continue to be involved in the company, but will devote the majority of his time to working with the products groups to develop the technologies and products of the future. He assured staff that he is not cutting back on his work at the company and is more committed to Microsoft than ever. The move is seen as an attempt to revitalize the company's product development and customer relations.

Key Takeaways:

• Bill Gates will be stepping back from the day-to-day running of Microsoft, focusing on technology and new products.
• Steve Ballmer has been promoted to group president, responsible for concentrating on Microsoft's relationship with customers.
• Gates will continue to be involved in the company, but will devote his time to working with products groups.
• Ballmer will be a key member of the Microsoft defense team in its anti-trust trial in September.
• Bob Herbold, chief operating officer and executive vice president, will now report directly to Ballmer.
• Gates and Ballmer have a long-standing relationship, dating back to their time at Harvard University.

Statistics:

• 18 years: the length of time Steve Ballmer has been working at Microsoft.
• 1: the number of time Bill Gates will have devoted to the company's day-to-day operations.

Sources:

• The Times, 1998