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Bill Gates Transition/Retirement
- Thread starter zap2
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CEO/Chairman
In a publicly traded corporation, usually the CEO is in charge of internal operations and often a figurehead too. He/She is responsible to the Board of Directors and can be fired by them.
The Board of Directors is representative of the shareholders of the company. They exist to make sweeping decisions about the financial health of the company (like firing the CEO if they aren't making enough money). They don't typically mix in the day-to-day stuff, but they can basically overturn any CEO (or lower) decisions as they see fit (if quarterly returns aren't growing).
The Board of Directors for any given company can consist of retired CEOs from other companies, usually in the same field, like suppliers or related businesses. Their only interest is making money off the stock prices, as they hold massive amounts of stock in the company they work for.
Does this help?
In a publicly traded corporation, usually the CEO is in charge of internal operations and often a figurehead too. He/She is responsible to the Board of Directors and can be fired by them.
The Board of Directors is representative of the shareholders of the company. They exist to make sweeping decisions about the financial health of the company (like firing the CEO if they aren't making enough money). They don't typically mix in the day-to-day stuff, but they can basically overturn any CEO (or lower) decisions as they see fit (if quarterly returns aren't growing).
The Board of Directors for any given company can consist of retired CEOs from other companies, usually in the same field, like suppliers or related businesses. Their only interest is making money off the stock prices, as they hold massive amounts of stock in the company they work for.
Does this help?
SPinc33 said:
You aren't a communist. You are a disillusioned socialist who does not understand supply-side and free market economics.
I dispise the company and how he made his money, but at least he is turnign that money around for a good cause.commonpeople said:
Wow. I certainly didn't see this coming so soon... does this really affect Microsoft in any real way? And what effect will this have on Apple's future?
Split the company
I was watching CNBC and I heard a great idea... split the company into 3 parts: gaming (XBox), Application, and OS.
I was watching CNBC and I heard a great idea... split the company into 3 parts: gaming (XBox), Application, and OS.
For the longest time Gates didn't donate much at all relative to what he was worth. He only started massive philanthropy after he realized that he could save money on his taxes.commonpeople said:
It's great that he donates now though.
OhEsTen said:
I love my Apple products as much as the next person, but what a mouthful you have said.
"he'd stop trying to cram IE down the whole worlds throat.... and create a more secure OS" I just don't get this line of reasoning. Don't you think that the people who write all this malware should bear the brunt of your hate? It's not like Bill Gates is out there developing all these wicked viri and worms. Put the blame where it should lie..... With the sorry low life scum that develope the malware.
"and practice fair business strategies..." I don't understand this either. Should they not try and be the biggest, make the most money and try to dominate every market they are in. Surely you don't think that all companies should aim to come in, say 3rd or 4th place? Heaven forbid that someone comes out on top.
If Apple had 90% marketshare, would the world be a better place? I highly doubt it. There would still be all those lowlife scum trying to interupt your computing life, and Apple would damn well be trying to hang on to their market domination! (kinda like they do with the iPod)
Perhaps it doesn't matter if he's directing his wealth toward charity for unselfish reasons (concern for the good of the world), for tax reasons, to avoid bad press, because his wife told him to, or for concern about his legacy. The effect of his Foundation's work would still be the same.Dm84 said:
Effects on Apple aren't going to be immediately apparent, but there will be no lack of speculation from the media, particularly columnists and bloggers.
Onizuka said:
Yes, he does look good for it. But he is doing good. this isn't a dirty corporation giving tidbits so they can advertize on TV about it, this is an individual who gives immensely, and is very thoughtful and creative in doing so in effective and beneficial ways. And doesn't seek publicity on it, either.
Here's to hoping others follow his example.
For those of you who weren't aware of this, Steve Ballmer IS the CEO of Microsoft and has been for six years now. Bill has been Chairman of the Board the entire time (including when he was also CEO), and Bill's current other title is Chief Software Architect.
Basically, this whole thing means that Bill's not going in to the office every day... which in the grand scheme of things means very little, IMHO.
The sad part of it is that it means it's less likely that Bill will "return" to Microsoft, a la Steve Jobs, and "save" it from Steve Ballmer. Under Ballmer's tenure, Microsoft's once soaring stock price has stagnated, and things just aren't the same.
Sad to see Bill go, but he's doing what he wants to do. Who can blame him?
(Fair disclosure: I worked for Microsoft for 8.5 years and then worked at Microsoft for another two years as a contractor. I loved working there. I wish things just hadn't... changed the way they did.)
Basically, this whole thing means that Bill's not going in to the office every day... which in the grand scheme of things means very little, IMHO.
The sad part of it is that it means it's less likely that Bill will "return" to Microsoft, a la Steve Jobs, and "save" it from Steve Ballmer. Under Ballmer's tenure, Microsoft's once soaring stock price has stagnated, and things just aren't the same.
Sad to see Bill go, but he's doing what he wants to do. Who can blame him?
(Fair disclosure: I worked for Microsoft for 8.5 years and then worked at Microsoft for another two years as a contractor. I loved working there. I wish things just hadn't... changed the way they did.)
meh... was gonna bring up Carnegie as well.... beaten to the punch
Well good luck to ol' Bill and hey, Bill, if you ever read this and if your looking to "donate" a billion (or a couple hundred million) I have a great charity case foir you....
just pm me.....
Well good luck to ol' Bill and hey, Bill, if you ever read this and if your looking to "donate" a billion (or a couple hundred million) I have a great charity case foir you....
just pm me.....SPinc33 said:
Communist....
He earned it didn't he.... (even if he stole the OS he marketed it better and earned the money) Why not let him keep what he has, to be rich you often have to be a little greedy. And don't tell lies about how the poor are the first to give.
Hopefully he goes down to his basement and sits in front of his computer and writes some small piece of realy useful software just for kicks. It'd be nice to see him really get back into the fun of programming again.
Doctor Q said:
And most of it is bound to be quite silly. The obvious impacts will be felt over time at Microsoft, where Steve Ballmer will now gain more-or-less complete control of the show. If you ask me, if he hadn't been buddies with Gates at Harvard, Ballmer would be lucky to be a middle-manager at some other company today. The driving force behind Microsoft will be gone, to be replaced by, uh... Steve the Sweaty.
As for the Gates philanthropy, before we get too dewy-eyed, we should stop to consider that most of his shares in Microsoft probably have a cost basis of zero, which means every share is taxed in full when sold. But, if he transfers those shares to his foundation, he gets a tax write-off at their full market value. So it makes good economic sense for him to donate approximately as many shares as he sells in any given year.
I love this steve ballmer remix music video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=8zEQhhaJsU4&search=steve ballmer
Badandy said:
He's right you know... the way it works, you want to be rich, you've got to be screwing someone. usually that means the workers... but then it could be the consumer. few people make millions with clean hands.
oh and Free market economies are great!... see how well the airlines are getting along since Reagan deregulated them?
I hope I can make enough to pay my rent this month.
I see Steve Jobs making the news when it comes to giving money.
If you think he didn't already know he could save money on his taxes from the start, then you are misguided.
The thing about giving is, that you really dont have to. Who cares why he gives or when he started giving.Dm84 said:
If you think he didn't already know he could save money on his taxes from the start, then you are misguided.
gwangung said:
I don't think so. I've made charitable donations of appreciated stock, and know many others who have as well. The only reason you'd need to carry the write-offs forward is if you don't have the income to offset. I suspect Bill has the income to offset, especially if he sells some of his Microsoft stock every year, which last I heard, he does.
AtHomeBoy_2000 said:
That truly is a great idea. I think it was mentioned before... during the Antitrust trial
I can't wait for Balmer to take over!!! Lots of sweat, blood, and tears will be put into MS...No... just sweat.
What do you think the reaction would be if Steve Jobs was retiring??
What do you think the reaction would be if Steve Jobs was retiring??