Apple CEO Steve Jobs is widely considered one of the best executives in the technology industry. Ever since he came back to Apple, he has proven he knows how to take a floundering company with a suspect future and turn it into one of the most profitable and well-respected companies both inside and outside the technology industry. But in the odd, odd world where Steve Jobs would have the opportunity to take over another company, what would he do? We’ve examined that question with Jobs at the helm of both HP and Google. Now, we turn our focus to Microsoft, the software giant that has been a thorn in Apple’s and Steve Jobs’ side for decades. And Microsoft could sure use the help right now. Would Jobs maintain status quo at Microsoft? Would he try to do something new and innovative like he has done at Apple? In reality, the world will never find out. But here are some hints into what he might do if he was ever given the chance to move Steve Ballmer and Bill Gates aside and run Microsoft.
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Develop A Smartphone
Steve Jobs is all about hardware, which would make him an unlikely candidate at Microsoft. However, if he were to take over the software giant, Jobs would undoubtedly push his team to develop a smartphone. Currently, Microsoft only offers Windows Phone 7 to vendor partners. For Steve Jobs, that’s not enough.
Develop A Tablet
Jobs wouldn’t just stop at a smartphone. Considering the success that the iPad has been, it likely wouldn’t take long for Jobs to develop a Microsoft-branded tablet running either Windows Phone 7 or Windows. The future of the mobile market resides in tablets. Steve Jobs knows that -- and he would make it abundantly clear at Microsoft.
Stop Playing Nice With Mobile Vendors
Steve Jobs would drastically change Microsoft’s mobile strategy. But he would do more than that. By developing a smartphone and tablet, he would also likely end the cozy relationship Microsoft has with its vendor partners. Steve Jobs likes to control all aspects of a platform -- both hardware and software -- and that wouldn’t change at Microsoft.
Keep the Windows Cash Cow
Windows is the only platform that would make Steve Jobs break from his golden rule of controlling both hardware and software. Microsoft’s operating system is a cash cow for the software giant and an easy way for it to capitalize on potential competitors. Windows is simply too important for even Steve Jobs to change its business model.
Keep the Office Cash Cow
If Steve Jobs wouldn’t change Windows, investors can rest assured that he wouldn’t mess with Office either. Like Windows, Office is a major cash cow for Microsoft and a service that no other firm has a good answer for. The company’s online Office service might be built up more under Steve Jobs, but other than that, it’s doubtful that he would do much to change things.
Ditch Internet Explorer
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer has been a thorn in the company’s side for years. The browser has been a security hole, slow compared to other browsers, and generally less appealing. Under Steve Jobs, Internet Explorer would be thrown out and replaced with an entirely new Microsoft browser that delivers an experience customers are after. Granted, the enterprise wouldn’t like such a move, but as Jobs’ history has proven, the enterprise isn’t his first concern.
Improve Windows Security
Security is a major issue in the Windows ecosystem. However, it’s not such a problem with Mac OS X. With Steve Jobs at the helm, Windows security would be vastly improved. Not only does Steve Jobs have no tolerance for poorly protected platforms, but he knows that Microsoft’s security troubles do not reflect well upon the company’s brand. And Steve Jobs cares deeply about a company’s brand.
Make the Xbox 360 More Appealing
Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is arguably the best console on the market today. It’s also a fine entertainment platform for those seeking that. But the console can do more. If Steve Jobs were running Microsoft, he would undoubtedly find ways to improve the console and add more functionality. One thing that Jobs would especially bring to the Xbox 360: many more built-in applications.
Double Down On Search
Steve Jobs is a competitive individual. He realizes that across several different markets in the industry, there’s one winner, and many losers. In the search market, Google is easily beating Microsoft’s Bing platform, and that is proving to be an issue for the company. With Steve Jobs at the helm, Microsoft would focus more of its efforts on Google and do everything it can to take the search giant down. Domination means everything to Steve Jobs.
Not Take Orders From Bill Gates
As the Chief Executive Officer, Steve Jobs would be forced to collaborate with, and to some extent, be at the mercy of, the chairman of the board of directors. Currently, at Microsoft, the chairman is Bill Gates. Given Jobs’ history with Bill Gates, the last thing the Microsoft co-founder should expect is his new CEO to listen to him in any way. Steve Jobs wouldn’t take orders from Bill Gates. And he would make that clear on the first day of his new job.
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