Windows

Nokia’s Stephen Elop leads bets for next Microsoft CEO, who would you bet on?

posted by Victor H. / Aug 29, 2013, 5:58 AM

Nokia’s Stephen Elop leads bets for next Microsoft CEO, who would you bet on?

The race for the next Microsoft chief executive has obviously already begun the moment Steve Ballmer announced he will retire after 13 years served as the head of Microsoft, and a total Microsoft work record of 33 years.

Who would be the next chief executive? Interestingly, this is not a topic of mere discussions but a real gamble. Ladbrokes, a UK betting house operating more than 2700 shops, lets its regulars bet not just on sports, but on other events as well. The next Microsoft CEO is one of them.

Since we are talking about real gambling with real money involved, Ladbrokes has obviously put in the efforts and research to come up with some interesting numbers. Surprsing or not, the leading candidate turns out to be former Microsoft Office head and current chief executive of Nokia, Stephen Elop. The Nokia CEO has the higher, 5 to 1 ratio, to be appointed on the leading position at Microsoft. Elop has undergone severe criticism for his radical decisions such as tying Nokia exclusively with Windows Phone.

Other candidates include internal Microsoftites like COO Kevin Turner or the quickly rising newly appointed head of hardware devices and entertainment Julie-Larson Green.

In the cards are obviously even more unlikely options like former Windows head Steven Sinofsky and even Netflix’ chief executive Reed Hastings. Even the fantastic scenario of Apple’s Tim Cook joining the other camp is a 100 to 1 option for gamblers.

13 years ago, Microsoft founder Bill Gates himself anointed Ballmer for the post, but while Ballmer succeeded at keeping revenue flowing from the pillars of Microsoft - Windows, Office and enterprise, he largely missed the smartphone and tablet revolutions.

Who would you bet on would become Microsoft’s new CEO?

Current Nokia CEO Stephen Elop

45.39%

Current Microsoft COO Kevin Turner

12.5%

Current Microsoft head of hardware devices and entertainment Julie-Larson Green

11.17%

Former Windows head Steven Sinofsky

11.17%

Someone else within Microsoft

12.5%

An outsider like Netflix’ Reed Hastings

7.27%

source: Bloomberg

Options

50 Comments

1. WHoyton1

Posts: 1635; Member since: Feb 21, 2013

I voted Julie-Larson Green because the hardware on the surface tablets are sweet but definately not Elop!

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:02 AM 6

34. TheLolGuy

Posts: 483; Member since: Mar 05, 2013

Wow, sorry but you're being a hypocrite now. I can't even begin to recall how many times it's been bashed by you -- not just the OS, but the idea of Surface and it's underpowered Tegra 3... Also 'newly appointed'. These products go through years of market research and ergonomics testing, etc. Julie-Larson Green had nothing to do with it. Nothing with the first generation, anyways.

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 9:29 AM 1

39. WHoyton1

hahaha did i ever say i disliked the hardware?? NO! i said a product is only as good as the OS and the hardware is impeccable but the OS is not up to scratch! Besides ANYONE but Elop!!!

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 10:17 AM 0

40. sniper1087

Posts: 537; Member since: Dec 31, 2011

components are part of the hardware so choosing an underpowered tegra 3 which was used on the nexus 7 that costed 199 made a huge difference, dont get me wrong the outside shell was great, but if they get better internal components like the display(it was awful), Processor, more ram, more storage that the OS doesnt take much from it, better battery, that will get you through the day, and not even going to talk about software because IE touch just sucks.

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 10:40 AM 0

49. cam-whore

Posts: 164; Member since: Feb 21, 2013

wow, why didn't you actually vote for yourself...when you seem to know so much more than anyone else? Such a genius...

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 10:12 PM 0

2. D.Aceveda

Posts: 410; Member since: Jun 30, 2012

The option for Bill Gates is missing

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:03 AM 33

32. -box-

Posts: 3991; Member since: Jan 04, 2012

He's busy running the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he doesn't want to deal with dat-to-day stuff at Microsoft (though he's still a board member, as Ballmer will remain)

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 9:22 AM 1

38. TheLolGuy

What -box- said. You can just tell he's not invested in Microsoft enough anymore spirit and mind. His priority is in the Gates Foundation now -- everyone always asks him these things in interviews and the answer is always the same. Following his actions over the years clearly shows this, unless there is some new and unprecedented pressure by investors begging him to come back. But I doubt that.

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 9:34 AM 0

3. wicpromd

Posts: 266; Member since: Aug 20, 2013

Elop already did his job for Nokia by bringing it down since 2010 MS sent him and he is already getting into it...

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:03 AM 9

45. Droid_X_Doug

Posts: 5993; Member since: Dec 22, 2010

Elop has been out of MS for a while. MS tends to promote from within, and Elop has been out of MS for too long to be considered an insider.

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 3:05 PM 0

4. Kurai unregistered

Anyone whose name is not elop

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:06 AM 3

5. bakarock

Posts: 57; Member since: Aug 29, 2013

Wat 'bout JOE BELFIORE. This guy is doing good with Windows Phone.

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:11 AM 11

12. papss unregistered

I agree completely. Not sure why he's not on the list

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:30 AM 3

6. ihatesmartphone unregistered

How about Tim Cook..... XD

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:13 AM 2

33. -box-

Hahahahaha. I laughed when I read that in the article. I can't imagine any other company wanting him. Heck, apple seems to barely want him.

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 9:24 AM 0

7. Tatperson

Posts: 58; Member since: Oct 21, 2011

I'd definitely go for Joe Belfiore.

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:13 AM 5

8. nobelset

Posts: 270; Member since: Oct 17, 2012

Bill Gates was the best CEO ever... Well, he's now doing humanitarian work and all, so I guess we can't make him come back xD

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:15 AM 5

9. xperiaDROID

Posts: 5629; Member since: Mar 08, 2013

No Bill Gates? No vote.

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:15 AM 3

10. mjain88

Posts: 2; Member since: Aug 25, 2013

Elop actually saved the sinking ship called Nokia, he reduced the company's size and its expenditures. He made the company more responsive to the changes in market dynamics, whereas the previous CEOs could do nothing to fight back the iPhone. He is doing a terrific job at Nokia, and that must be appreciated.

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:17 AM 15

36. asingha94

Posts: 295; Member since: Apr 08, 2012

that's the exact thing you have said.Most people don't understand that.!

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 9:31 AM 0

11. TechBizJP08

Posts: 495; Member since: Mar 25, 2013

i think Bill Gates should step up.. and appoint somebody who knows how to run the business, makes the both of them Co CEO. Would make BG do humanitarian and turning MS around.

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:24 AM 1

13. UdhaiyaPrasanth

Posts: 76; Member since: Sep 05, 2012

Joe Belfiore is my pick!

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:32 AM 2

14. sriuslywtf

Posts: 297; Member since: Jul 09, 2013

How about Willy Wonka..

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:37 AM 1

15. FoneAddict

Posts: 263; Member since: Jul 05, 2011

E-Flop no thanks. Everything he touches get's burned - literally!

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:40 AM 0

25. 7thspaceman

Posts: 1596; Member since: Feb 14, 2011

I think you are wrong on that point. Mr Elop set out to make Nokia the number "ONE" Windows smart phone OEM.. He succeeded at that.. Nokia at the time he took over could only afford to invest in one smart phone ECO system. Everybody and their brother was making Android smart phones Nokia would never dominate Android.. Windows Metro tile smartphones was a new platform other Oem's made 1 or 2 models of Windows smart phones and they were not the other OEM's best. He went To windows smart phones and made sure Nokia's Windows smart phones were better than the rest. He won he beat the Other OEM"S. I agree now is the time for Nokia to make a few android smart phones but do not call this man a loser he beat all the other Windows smartphone OEM"S and that can not be denied. People seem to overlook Elop's gamble and VICTORY

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 8:18 AM 8

16. Antonyjoseph

Posts: 217; Member since: Apr 06, 2013

WP would have been dead without Nokia. Elop getting rewarded for services rendered?

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:52 AM 1

17. pellegrini

Posts: 84; Member since: Jun 14, 2012

I voted Elop because I want him out of Nokia asap!! =)

posted on Aug 29, 2013, 6:53 AM 8

35. -box-

Why? He's only done positive things for Nokia, and he genuinely cares about the company, its products, its people, and its future. If he had cone from anywhere but Microsoft people would love him. Yes, he got rid of Symbian and MeeGo, but as a CEO one has to make tough decisions for the good of the company. Look what happened to blackberry and palm: former leaders of the industry didn't react to the market, kept making non-compelling products (granted at too-high of prices but not astronomically so), and took the hard fall. Palm wasn't able to get back on its feet so HP slit its throat, and Blackberry is barely on its knees looking for the next move or handout, and even access to android apps hasn't helped.