Bill Gates, who was co-founded the company known by the name of Microsoft about 38 years ago. Since his departure from the role of CEO in 2000, another founding member Steve Ballmer has been the CEO leading the company every day for the past 13 years. Gates has still been an instrumental leader of Microsoft, serving as Chairman on the company's board. But with Ballmer on the way out, is it also time for Gates to sever ties with Microsoft once and for all?
The "three of [Microsoft's] top 20 investors" are positing to the company's board. This is definitely a rare moment in the company's history when investors have shown any kind of discomfort with Gates in a leadership role, since Ballmer has often been criticized as the sole reason for Microsoft's lack of innovation and competitive foresight during his tenure.
Gates currently holds a 4.5% stake in the company which is the largest share of any individual. But the three investors collectively hold a 5% stake, which at the very least gives them some say in how the company should address Gates' presence on the board.
Microsoft is still one of the world's most valuable technology companies, making a net profit of $22 billion last fiscal year. But its core Windows computing operating system, and to a lesser extent the Office software suite, are under pressure from the decline in personal computers as smartphones and tablets grow more popular.
The "three of [Microsoft's] top 20 investors" are positing to the company's board. This is definitely a rare moment in the company's history when investors have shown any kind of discomfort with Gates in a leadership role, since Ballmer has often been criticized as the sole reason for Microsoft's lack of innovation and competitive foresight during his tenure.
Gates currently holds a 4.5% stake in the company which is the largest share of any individual. But the three investors collectively hold a 5% stake, which at the very least gives them some say in how the company should address Gates' presence on the board.
Microsoft is still one of the world's most valuable technology companies, making a net profit of $22 billion last fiscal year. But its core Windows computing operating system, and to a lesser extent the Office software suite, are under pressure from the decline in personal computers as smartphones and tablets grow more popular.
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