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Steve Ballmer

06/02/25

@ Acquired

The antitrust issues Microsoft faced were not just business challenges but also cultural ones that affected employee morale and integrity. The federal government ordered a split, but they didn't specify who had to run which part; I was to run operating systems while Bill would take applications.

Video

The Steve Ballmer Interview

@ Acquired

The Steve Ballmer Interview

06/02/25

Related Takeaways

Steve Ballmer

06/02/25

@ Acquired

Paul Allen emphasized that we should never become a hardware company and pushed for building software for all microprocessor-based computers. I took over system software in '84, which marked the beginning of our enterprise focus at Microsoft.

Steve Ballmer

06/02/25

@ Acquired

The transition from stock options to stock awards at Microsoft was crucial for employee motivation and addressing cultural issues after the dot-com bubble burst.

Steve Ballmer

06/02/25

@ Acquired

Microsoft started as a consumer company, and our success in that area allowed us to build a strong enterprise business. However, I regret losing the consumer muscle we had.

Steve Ballmer

06/02/25

@ Acquired

At Microsoft, I wanted to foster an environment where teamwork meant holding each other accountable, not just being nice to one another.

Steve Ballmer

06/02/25

@ Acquired

When I became CEO, the dotcom bubble was bursting, antitrust issues dominated the company's culture, and we faced a significant accounting headache that affected profitability.

Steve Ballmer

06/02/25

@ Acquired

I feel good about being recognized as a key figure in building Microsoft's enterprise business, but I also regret that we lost our consumer focus along the way.

Satya Nadella

05/22/25

@ Rowan Cheung

Microsoft is not just a one-trick company; the hardest challenge is adjusting to the rapid changes in technology.

Garry Tan

05/18/24

@ Y Combinator

My experience at Microsoft taught me how to navigate corporate politics, but it didn't prepare me for the fast-paced startup environment.

Tim Brady

08/30/19

@ Y Combinator

Microsoft's original vision of having a computer on every desk in every home attracted the right type of people and helped build the culture necessary for its success.