CFO Brings Philosophy of Change to Microsoft (
Page 1 of 2 )
Microsoft's decision in
2005 to hire Chris Liddell, a New Zealander working in the paper
industry, to fill the company's open job of chief financial
officer seemed like an odd choice.
SEATTLE, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Microsoft's decision in
2005 to hire Chris Liddell, a New Zealander working in the paper
industry, to fill the company's open job of chief financial
officer seemed like an odd choice.
With no background in technology, Liddell joined Microsoft
from International Paper at a time when investors were
clamoring for the company to loosen the purse strings on its
substantial cash holdings and revitalize a stagnant stock.
"If you look at the odds of a New Zealand paper guy coming
into Microsoft and prospering, you wouldn't give it a snowball's
chance in hell," said Charlie Songhurst, a Microsoft general
manager for strategy and M&A who works closely with Liddell.
Once the ultimate outsider, Liddell is taking a leading role
in changing Microsoft from within.
In about three years, he has helped transform Microsoft from a
miser that socked away money for a rainy day into a spendthrift,
and he has successfully challenged the philosophy that Microsoft,
given enough time and resources, should build its own technology
to take on all comers.
Liddell has completed nearly 50 deals since joining the
company in May 2005. His boldest move yet, Microsoft's $41.9
billion offer to buy Yahoo, would use up nearly all
of a legendary cash stockpile Liddell inherited.
Those reserves are sure to grow again, but now Liddell wants
to issue debt for the first time in Microsoft's 33-year history.
"I believe in being disciplined but aggressive," Liddell
described himself by e-mail. Colleagues see a quiet, intense
counterpoint to Chief Executive Steve Ballmer's animated
aggressiveness, a former rugby player who prepares obsessively and
routinely works 100 hours a week.
Avoiding the turf wars that have claimed other outside
executives who joined Microsoft, Liddell has won the confidence
and the ear of Ballmer and the company's board, and is known as
one of the few senior executives ready to meet the rank-and-file
for a drink after work.
Analysts praise Liddell for his clean and simple earnings
presentations, while Microsoft employees say he is militant in his
view that PowerPoint slides should be uncluttered.
Microsoft's decision in
2005 to hire Chris Liddell, a New Zealander working in the paper
industry, to fill the company's open job of chief financial
officer seemed like an odd choice.
SEATTLE, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Microsoft's decision in
2005 to hire Chris Liddell, a New Zealander working in the paper
industry, to fill the company's open job of chief financial
officer seemed like an odd choice.
With no background in technology, Liddell joined Microsoft
from International Paper at a time when investors were
clamoring for the company to loosen the purse strings on its
substantial cash holdings and revitalize a stagnant stock.
"If you look at the odds of a New Zealand paper guy coming
into Microsoft and prospering, you wouldn't give it a snowball's
chance in hell," said Charlie Songhurst, a Microsoft general
manager for strategy and M&A who works closely with Liddell.
Once the ultimate outsider, Liddell is taking a leading role
in changing Microsoft from within.
In about three years, he has helped transform Microsoft from a
miser that socked away money for a rainy day into a spendthrift,
and he has successfully challenged the philosophy that Microsoft,
given enough time and resources, should build its own technology
to take on all comers.
Liddell has completed nearly 50 deals since joining the
company in May 2005. His boldest move yet, Microsoft's $41.9
billion offer to buy Yahoo, would use up nearly all
of a legendary cash stockpile Liddell inherited.
Those reserves are sure to grow again, but now Liddell wants
to issue debt for the first time in Microsoft's 33-year history.
"I believe in being disciplined but aggressive," Liddell
described himself by e-mail. Colleagues see a quiet, intense
counterpoint to Chief Executive Steve Ballmer's animated
aggressiveness, a former rugby player who prepares obsessively and
routinely works 100 hours a week.
Avoiding the turf wars that have claimed other outside
executives who joined Microsoft, Liddell has won the confidence
and the ear of Ballmer and the company's board, and is known as
one of the few senior executives ready to meet the rank-and-file
for a drink after work.
Analysts praise Liddell for his clean and simple earnings
presentations, while Microsoft employees say he is militant in his
view that PowerPoint slides should be uncluttered.
