In a move reminiscent of that great Steve Jobs moment in 1997, Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder and erstwhile chairman, announced that he would be devoting more time with the company but in a different role. This declaration from Microsoft came on the heels of an announcement that the company had tapped Satya Nadella, a long-time Microsoft executive, as its new chief executive officer.
At a Boston Macworld Expo in August 1997, Jobs famously declared an end to the Apple-Microsoft rivalry to the great disappointment and jeers of many of Apple’s faithful users. Jobs went on to tell Apple followers: “We have to let go of this notion that for Apple to win, Microsoft has to lose. We have to embrace a notion that for Apple to win, Apple has to do a really good job. And if others are going to help us, that’s great because we need all the help we can get.” Jobs was eventually proven right as this is remembered as the defining moment that lifted Apple from a declining tech giant to the dynamic tech leader that it is today.
Microsoft today is in a situation similar to that of Apple’s in 1997. That Gates is assuming a more active role in Microsoft affairs after stepping down as chairman makes the comparison to Jobs’ return to Apple even more compelling. In a Reddit question-and-answer session, Gates insisted that he is staying only as an adviser and upon Nadella’s request.
Much like Jobs in 1997, Gates will focus on product development and enhancements to ensure that Microsoft remains relevant in the face of changes in technology and a more competitive market. In his words: “I am excited about how the cloud and new devices can help us communicate and collaborate in new ways. The OS won’t just be on one device and the information won’t just be files – it will be your history including being able to review memories of things like kids growing up. I was thrilled Satya asked me to pitch in to make sure Microsoft is ambitious with its innovation. Even in Office there is a lot more than can be done.”
Industry analysts see Gates’ new role as technology adviser as a positive development for the company that has faced declining revenues and product launch misfires in recent years. It is a signal to investors that Gates is committed to the future of Microsoft. By taking an active role in product innovation and development strategies, Gates becomes the Microsoft visionary he once was. Whether Gates’ impact on Microsoft will approximate Jobs’ remarkable turnaround feat with Apple remains to be seen. For now, it is enough to know that Microsoft is due for a sea change.
