Tag Archives: Steven Sinofsky

Sinofsky Internal Memo: ‘This Was a Personal and Private Choice’

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This evening, Microsoft announced that Windows head Steven Sinofsky is stepping down, effective immediately, just weeks after the launch of Windows 8 and the Surface tablet. The decision is said to be mutual and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has thanked Sinofsky for the work he has done during his tenure at the Redmond-based company. Sinofsky has since replied to an internal memo with his own statement about his resignation from Microsoft, noting that it “was a personal and private choice.” The full letter, obtained by CNET, is as follows:

[quote_box author="Steven Sinofsky" profession="Microsoft"]

From: Steven Sinofsky
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2012 5:42 PM
To: Microsoft – All Employees (QBDG)
Subject: RE: Windows Leadership Changes

With the general availability of Windows 8/RT and Surface, I have decided it is time for me to take a step back from my responsibilities at Microsoft. I’ve always advocated using the break between product cycles as an opportunity to reflect and to look ahead, and that applies to me too.

After more than 23 years working on a wide range of Microsoft products, I have decided to leave the company to seek new opportunities that build on these experiences. My passion for building products is as strong as ever and I look forward focusing my energy and creativity along similar lines.

The Windows team, in partnerships across all of Microsoft and our industry, just completed products and services introducing a new era of Windows computing. It is an incredible experience to be part of a generational change in a unique product like Windows, one accomplished with an undeniable elegance. Building on Windows, Surface excels in design and utility for a new era of PCs. With the Store, Internet Explorer, Outlook.com, SkyDrive and more, each of which lead the way, this experience is connected to amazing cloud services.

It is inspiring to think of these efforts making their way into the hands of Microsoft’s next billion customers. We can reflect on this project as a remarkable achievement for each of us and for the team. Our work is not done, such is the world of technology, and so much more is in store for customers.

It is impossible to count the blessings I have received over my years at Microsoft. I am humbled by the professionalism and generosity of everyone I have had the good fortune to work with at this awesome company. I am beyond grateful.

I have always promised myself when the right time came for me to change course, I would be brief, unlike one of my infamous short blog posts, and strive to be less memorable than the products and teams with which I have been proudly and humbly associated. The brevity of this announcement is simply a feature.

Some might notice a bit of chatter speculating about this decision or timing. I can assure you that none could be true as this was a personal and private choice that in no way reflects any speculation or theories one might read–about me, opportunity, the company or its leadership.

As I’ve always believed in making space for new leaders as quickly as possible, this announcement is effective immediately and I will assist however needed with the transition.

I am super excited for what the future holds for the team and Microsoft.

With my deepest appreciation,

Steven Sinofsky

[/quote_box]

[CNET]

Ballmer: ‘I Am Grateful For The Work That Steven Has Delivered In His Time At Our Company’

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Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has issued a letter to team members following the departure of Windows head Steve Sinofsky. Ballmer thanks Sinofsky for the tremendous amount of work that he did during his tenure at Microsoft, while adding that Microsoft is entering a new era and a time of great opportunity. The full letter (via The Verge) is as follows:

[quote_box author="Steve Ballmer" profession="CEO, Microsoft"]

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

[/quote_box]

 

[The Verge]

Breaking News: Windows Head Steven Sinofsky Leaves Microsoft

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[quote_right]“I am grateful for the many years of work that Steven has contributed to the company” — Steve Ballmer, CEO, Microsoft[/quote_right]Just weeks after appearing on stage during the launch of the Surface tablet and Windows 8, AllThingsD has confirmed that Steven Sinofsky, who served as the head of Windows at Microsoft, is leaving the company.

“Microsoft Corp. today announced that Windows and Windows Live President Steven Sinofsky will be leaving the company and that Julie Larson-Green will be promoted to lead all Windows software and hardware engineering. Tami Reller retains her roles as chief financial officer and chief marketing officer and will assume responsibility for the business of Windows. Both executives will report directly to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.”

The move is effective immediately and is said to be related to growing tension between Sinofsky and other corporate executives at Microsoft; interestingly, Apple ousted former head of iOS Scott Forstall less than a month ago based on similar reasons. Sinofsky was viewed as a highly intelligent individual, but his inability to be a team player within Microsoft was reportedly problematic.

“I am grateful for the many years of work that Steven has contributed to the company,” CEO Steve Ballmer said. “The products and services we have delivered to the market in the past few months mark the launch of a new era at Microsoft. We’ve built an incredible foundation with new releases of Microsoft Office, Windows 8, Windows Phone 8, Microsoft Surface, Windows Server 2012 and ‘Halo 4,’ and great integration of services such as Bing, Skype and Xbox across all our products. To continue this success it is imperative that we continue to drive alignment across all Microsoft teams, and have more integrated and rapid development cycles for our offerings.”

Sinofsky will not be replaced by a single individual, but rather by two of his top deputies. Julie Larson-Green is tasked with the engineering aspect of Windows, while Tami Reller will control the business side of Windows. Sinofsky joined Microsoft as a software design engineer over twenty years ago, becoming president of the Windows division in 2009. Sinofsky played an integral role in the release of Windows 7, a significant improvement over the dark days of Windows Vista. Sinofsky praised Microsoft in a statement for all it has done for him over the past two-plus decades.

“It is impossible to count the blessings I have received over my years at Microsoft,” Sinofsky said. “I am humbled by the professionalism and generosity of everyone I have had the good fortune to work with at this awesome company.”

[AllThingsD]