Steven Sinofsky deja Microsoft

¿Quién ha dicho que un rayo no puede caer dos veces en un mismo sitio? Como si se tratase de una replica a la sacudida de Apple, Steve Ballmer, CEO de Microsoft ha anunciado la salida de Steven Sinofsky, responsable de Windows de la compañía de Redmond y una de las piezas claves en el resurgimiento de Windows 7 y ahora Windows 8.

Según el comunicado, la salida se ha producido bajo mutuo acuerdo y Sinofsky abandona Microsoft de forma inmediata, dejando atrás un legado que comenzó desde 1989 cuando llegó a Microsoft.

“Es imposible contar las bendiciones que he recibido durante mis años en Microsoft. Me siento muy honrado por la profesionalidad y generosidad de todos los que he tenido la suerte de trabajar en esta increíble empresa”

No obstante, muchos comparan esta abrupta salida con la salida de Scott Forstall de Apple ya que según fuentes anónimas citadas por All Things Digital, Steven Sinofsky es el “tipo de jugador en equipo que estaba buscando la empresa”. Esto al parecer ha ido creando tensiones entre él y otros ejecutivos principales de la empresa. En The Verge también han citado algunas fuentes internas de Microsoft que van por esta misma línea y en las que indican que Sinofsky era un jefe agresivo que era capaz de poner obstáculos a otros productos que pudieran opacar a su bebé, Windows.

Pero esta sacudida no termina aquí, el puesto que deja Sinofsky ahora será ocupado por dos personas, Tami Reller, quien se hará cargo de los negocios y estrategias de marketing de los dispositivos Windows y Julie Larson-Green quien tendrá a su cargo el área de Windows Software e ingeniería de hardware. Ambas ejecutivas responderán a Steve Ballmer, así como una vez lo hiciera Steven Sinofsky.

A continuación, les incluyo la carta que Steve Ballmer enviara a los empleados, vía The Verge.

Over the past few months we have delivered the foundation for a new era for Microsoft. From Office to Bing to Windows Phone and Windows Azure, to Xbox and of course Windows and Surface and everything in between, we’ve unleashed a huge wave of devices and services that people and businesses love. I simply couldn’t be more proud of the effort you have all put in to get us here and to set the foundation for our future. At the Windows launch in New York, at the Windows Phone event in San Francisco, and again at the Build event on Redmond campus, I was struck that while externally many people look at these events as the finish line, they really represent the starting line of a new era.

As we enter this new era, and with the successful launch of Windows 8 and Surface behind us, Steven Sinofsky has decided to leave the company. Steven joined Microsoft in 1989 as a software development engineer and has contributed to the company in many ways from his work as a technical advisor to Bill Gates, to leading the evolution of the Microsoft Office business, to his direction and successful leadership of Windows and Windows Live as well as Surface. I am grateful for the work that Steven has delivered in his time at our company. Effective immediately, Julie Larson-Green will lead Windows engineering. She will be responsible for all product development for Windows and Windows Live, in addition to Surface. Julie has been a stalwart leader of building compelling “experiences” from her time on Internet Explorer, through the evolution of Office and most recently to the re-imagination of Windows. Her unique product and innovation perspective and proven ability to effectively collaborate and drive a cross company agenda will serve us well as she takes on this new leadership role. All of the current Windows engineering teams will report into Julie, and Julie will report to me.

Tami Reller will lead business and marketing strategy for Windows including Surface and partner devices. She will provide broad stewardship to our PC marketing efforts while managing the line business functions for Windows. Her work on Windows since 2007 has been exemplary and her strong talents in working with internal groups and partners will also serve us well. Tami also will report to me.

We are facing a time of great opportunity. What we have accomplished over the past few years is nothing short of amazing, and I know we have more amazing in us. I am excited about our people, I am energized by our ability to change and grow, and I look forward to the success which lies ahead. Thank you for all you do, and please join me in congratulating our new leadership and celebrating all that we have accomplished so far.

Steve