Stephen Elop: The Man of The Moment & Potential Heir Apparent to Steve Ballmer

While Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia is being seen primarily for what it is (Microsoft’s push into the hardware segment), industry experts believe it could also solve Microsoft’s problem of finding a new CEO post Steve Ballmer’s exit.

With Steve Ballmer set to retire in 2014, Microsoft needs a capable executive who could steer Microsoft into its glory days as the giant struggles to compete with the likes of Apple and Google.

With the acquisition of Nokia’s devices and services business, Stephen Elop (the CEO of Nokia) is moving “back” to Microsoft as the EVP of devices and services which includes the struggling Microsoft Surface. It is to be noted that Stephen Elop was instrumental in forging a partnership between Nokia and Microsoft a few years back which led to Nokia’s launch of Windows based Lumnia phones.But it doesn’t end here! It is likely that Steve Ballmer could potentially position Stephen Elop to take over as the CEO once Ballmer retires from the helm of Microsoft.

Stephen Elop Brings With Him The Right Set Of Credentials

Despite the fact that Stephen Elop was not able to turn the fortunes of Nokia to a great extent, he is the man with the right credentials.

With C-level stints at Macromedia, Adobe, Juniper Networks, Microsoft and then Nokia; Stephen Elop has experience in web, data and mobile-all areas that Microsoft operates in

In addition to that, he already knows Microsoft as a company having led the Business division there. The timing of the acquisition couldn’t have been better as Steve Ballmer retires in 12 months – enough time to groom Stephen Elop to take over the reins of Microsoft.

Will Stephen Elop become the next CEO of Microsoft? Who knows but the signs are all there