Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced his plans to retire from the company in the next 12 months in August and recently gave a tearful "Good-bye" speech to thousands of Microsoft employees at their annual meeting. Today, Microsoft issued its annual financial report for its recently completed 2013 fiscal year and it included a new, and final, message to shareholders from Ballmer.
The letter begins with Ballmer acknowledging his upcoming departure as CEO, adding, "We have always believed that technology will unleash human potential and that is why I have come to work every day with a heart full of passion for more than 30 years." He ends the letter by saying:
We have seen incredible results in the past decade — delivering more than $200 billion in operating profit. I’m optimistic not only as the CEO but as an investor who treasures his Microsoft stock. Working at Microsoft has been a thrilling experience — we’ve changed the world and delivered record-setting success — and I know our best days are still ahead. Thank you for your support.
In between those quotes, Ballmer gets serious about Microsoft's current and future strategy to turn itself into a "devices and services" company. He adds that the company is "well underway" with its "One Microsoft" reorganization that it first announced in July. saying that the company is now grouped by function "including, for example, engineering, sales, marketing and finance" rather than by products. Ballmer also mentioned the recent deal to acquire Nokia's Devices and Services business, saying, "It will accelerate our growth with Windows Phone while strengthening our overall device ecosystem and our opportunity."
Source: Microsoft | Image via Microsoft
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