New Head of Microsoft

Steve Ballmer has been Microsoft Corp.'s chief executive for more than eight years, grappling with some of the largest challenges in the company's history.
Now the pressure begins.
Bill Gates' departure from day-to-day Microsoft life will put all eyes on Ballmer as the company's leader. His task is to expand Microsoft's traditional businesses, revive its stock price and catch up with fast-moving online rivals -- the biggest of which, Google, is piling up big profits from its Internet search business.
"I think the combination of a huge shift in technology and business model, and a competitor who has a golden goose, who can fund a lot of experiments, is really the biggest challenge that Microsoft has ever faced," said Paul Maritz, the former Microsoft group vice president. "If Steve can pull this off, he will go down in history in his own right as one of the great leaders."
But the bigger challenge may belong to Ray Ozzie, who has replaced Gates as chief software architect, and Craig Mundie, who establishes the company's long-term vision as its chief research and strategy officer.
"To the degree that there's any question of where the company is going next, and how it will do, it's really in their hands," said Mark Anderson, publisher of the Strategic News Service technology newsletter. "It's all about technology, and they're the guys who will set the path."