The Microsoft High-Profile Exodus Continues

snydeq writes "Bing principal Scott Prevost is the latest of several high-profile exits from Microsoft in the wake of Bob Muglia's departure, causing some to question the long-term outlook for Redmond, InfoWorld reports. While the departures have spanned the company's business divisions, the concern centers square on the Microsoft core: 'Microsoft's numbers are looking good in the short term, but the future of core products remains unclear, and so far, Redmond's cloud and mobile strategies don't seem to be paying off.'"

Bing

[Tubal-Cain]

Bing principal Scott Prevost...

Considering Slashdot's other Bing story today, I can't say I'm sad to see him go.

Vote of no-confidence?

[kenrblan]

This could be a simple case that the departing employees simply have no faith in the direction Ballmer is leading Microsoft. When the ship is headed toward an iceberg and the captain is being stubborn or unaware, the best course of action is often evacuation.

Ex-Microsoftie

[halo_2_rocks]

I worked for Bob for a few years and had alot of admiration for the guy. I left about 2 years ago during the mass layoff and it was the best career move I ever made. Microsoft has become (and was becoming when I left) a horrible place to work. Please, if you are considering a professional career in software development, DO NOT work there. Almost anywhere else is better. I currently work for a small software company as a CTO with about $100million in sales last year and the work environment difference is night and day. The reason Microsoft is faltering is because it has moved from a fun, innovative place to work to a serious personal and professional nightmare. You have to go through a political circus to justify you job there (your two reviews per year) where you have little input in the final determination about your job (the politics of Microsoft). I shudder to think about the years I wasted jumping through those hoops instead of working on product and helping customers. Again, avoid working at Microsoft at all costs.

Resting on past laurels

[Anonymous Coward]

Other than maybe Xbox which isn't a major cash cow when have they released a hit product? The vast majority of their revenues still come from Office and Windows and related products. Take away those core products and there's virtually no company. It's not just innovation they seem to have trouble coming up with new products that a majority of people like. If they did have to start from scratch even with all their cash reserves they'd end up a minor player.

It is about choice Neo

[deadline]

Many people first used Windows not by choice, but by mandate -- there was no other option and the Microsoft monopoly made sure it stayed that way. (unless you bought a Mac) My guess is many people have found the MS experience frustrating and a general PITA, but there was never any other choice. They had to live with the shoddy time wasting experience Microsoft called computing.

Now given the option of having their "desktop experience" on their "phone" or "pad" I am sure many people are interested in real alternatives. My prediction is no matter how hard Microsoft tries to play the "we are the future of computing because we invented everything" song and dance, most users will chose iOS and Android for exactly that reason. Hi-tech karma at its best.

Re:The person who needs to leave

[davester666]

> The person who needs to leave ...
> is Balmer.

Why? Does Microsoft bring some inherent value to the software development field?

IMHO, they have done more to hamper the entire field than everybody else, primarily by using illegal methods to kill a number of really innovative operating systems back in the 80's and 90's.

And they still try to freeze new markets by spreading FUD while copying existing products instead of actually making something new.

Re:Microsoft can't be all things to all people

[dakohli]

It's because if a Company isn't growing, then it's not healthy. (according to the big time stock analysts)

The more fields your business dominates, the safer it is. So, something can't come along and kill your business completely. The only thing missing here seems to be a viable long term plan. MS does its best when it can leverage one product with another. Right now the jury is out on Windows Phone 7, however the desktop is safe, as well as Office, and while they seem to have missed the ball on slate type computers, they seem to have solidified their hold on laptops and netbooks.

Their fear might be, if they were to focus on one thing (desktop) then something innovative could come along and wipe them out quickly. Now, they are spread out among several markets and one innovation cannot come along and give them serious trouble.

My two cents: It will happen eventually, but they are delaying it magnificently.

Re:Vote of no-confidence?

[Dr. Spork]

This is a good point. Also, it's possible that too-rich, too-old, undermotivated managers are at the heart of Microsoft's apparent stagnation. It won't hurt them to bring in some younger, hungrier talent.

Re:Ex-Microsoftie

[Stregano]

I went from one of the biggest players in the telemarketting/call center field as a programmer (they easily had a few hundred programmers) to a company that has less than 10 employees total. You want to talk night and day, my friend. This tiny company is amazing to work at. I have only worked here for 6 months, but it is still hard to adjust. I am still paranoid of that "evil eye" looking over everything I do, but it is not there. We are free to code how we want as long as the end product is up to spec. It is a great place and gives me the ability to branch out and learn new things instead of being confined to specific standards that need to be done for the 100+ employees. I actually make my own personal standards now. I think they are pretty good (then again, I wrote them so programmer's ego means I always think they are good). My personal suggestion for anybody out there, if you are in it for money, stop the comp sci degree, get a business degree, and work in IT for a big company. If you truly love this type of work, the smaller the company is, the better (well, as long as they have a decent track record behind them, of course).

Re:Mayeb Not a Bad Thing?

[Anonymous Coward]

and who is kinect developed by? oh thats right PrimeSense.

Re:Microsoft can't be all things to all people

[elashish14]

Of course they won't give up. You have to diversify as a business. Suppose cloud computing had an overnight revolution and all of a sudden you don't need a specific operating system anymore? Suppose Windows was found to be infringing on some stupid patent that all of a sudden would require massive code rewrite and/or licensing settlements? Suppose some other example that just made Windows and Office no longer relevant.

You _have_ to diversify if you're a business. You never know when things will crash, or if some dark horse suddenly takes the scene by storm and makes you irrelevant. You can't just sit on your chips. You have to use them to make more. Otherwise, you run the risk of perishing. Fast.