A few months ago when Robert Scoble and Niall Kennedy left Microsoft, the blogosphere got twittery. There were arguments and counter arguments. Ironically there are more senior executives who have left in recent days, and haven’t sparked much discourse, even though their presence (or not) could have an impact on the bottom line of Microsoft. I am not an expert, and after reading all the trades, have not been able to quantify what it really means, and that is why I turn to you, gentle reader, to explain things to me.
John Lauer, who headed Microsoft’s Small and Midsize Solutions & Partner Group, is going off to start his own company. Of course, you already know Brian Valentine, a Senior VP (responsible for OS) leaving the company to join Amazon.com. Doug Burgum, the SVP responsible for bulking up Microsoft’s ERP business left last week as well. He was the CEO of Great Plains Software, a company Microsoft bought in April 2001.
The executive exodus is part of every big company’s daily reality, but can Microsoft overcome the loss of these executives who have built up years of institutional intelligence? I know Microsoft takes a lot of pride in its bench strength, and perhaps can take all this in stride? What are your thoughts?
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