Bill Gates stepping down from Microsoft

[the_raven_group]

Bill gates, arguable the richest man in the world, is stepping down as the head of Microsoft to concentrateon charity work. What do you think are the implications for Microsoft? will it make any difference to how the company operates?

Also what do you guys think of Gates dream of having a computer in every home?

[hwang]

I think it's a very noble act for him to step down and concentration on giving back to the society. Not all people can do that and I always love his quote "with great wealth comes great responsibility."

[liowkc]

Good to see Gates engaging in charity work and leaving behind a company that is still arguably ahead. I don't think his departure will make any significant difference.

[the_raven_group]

No i totally agree Microsoft is a powerhouse with no real rivals and its not as if Bill Gates needs the money after all he is one of the few multi billionaires in the world.

Hope his charity work goes well lets be honest he has a got to give back - just from his wallet lol

[neena]

The foundation aims to fight disease and promote education around the world, particularly in developing countries. "There is no reason why we can't cure the top 20 diseases," Mr Gates - who will give up his day-to-day role at Microsoft in 2008 to concentrate on the foundation's work - said.

Its never about the money raven, its the attitute, infact its a known case that the richer you are, the harder you find to part with your money. Then to step down from such a huge organization and devote himself to charity work, does speak a lot for the man. How many billionaires do you know who've retired so early ? Most only hand over the reins when their kids are ready to step into their shoes, I'm happy that he's chosen to tread a different path.

[liowkc]

Personally, I dislike Bill Gates' business practices; but his work in the Gates and Melinda Foundation had done some very good work which incidentally incorporated some form of of accountability borrowed from the business world.

[hwang]

I agree with your part saying "the richer you are, the harder you find to part with your money" and it's really true.

To me, when he step down, he actually made a big sacrifice. Imagine leaving something which you've worked hard and built from the beginning (microsoft) and commit yourself to something else (gates foundation) that benefits others. How many people would ever think in such a way?

Originally Posted by neena

Its never about the money raven, its the attitute, infact its a known case that the richer you are, the harder you find to part with your money. Then to step down from such a huge organization and devote himself to charity work, does speak a lot for the man. How many billionaires do you know who've retired so early ? Most only hand over the reins when their kids are ready to step into their shoes, I'm happy that he's chosen to tread a different path.

[the_raven_group]

oh yeah "its never about the money" lol. Of course its harder to give money away when your rich as compared to giving it away when you have none. Jetting around the world on flights paid for by the UN and other aid agencies, gosh it sounds so demanding lol.

You really should be a comedian neena!

[neena]

Originally Posted by the_raven_group

oh yeah "its never about the money" lol. Of course its harder to give money away when your rich as compared to giving it away when you have none. Jetting around the world on flights paid for by the UN and other aid agencies, gosh it sounds so demanding lol.

You really should be a comedian neena!

Maybe you don't agree with my view but I am working with an NGO and I know how cash strapped they get due to the fact that no big organization is willing to support then unless they are spoken about in the media. Its always people who don't have much who still have the heart to share their bit with the ones who have less. If Gates is trying to do good why be sceptic, give him a chance, the foundation is doing a lot in my country and so silently that most people aren't even aware they exist. For me, people can be good or bad anywhere, just because some of them have archaic attitudes doesn't mean all Americans are bad.

[the_raven_group]

I have no problem with him doing good. I'm just sick of hearing about what a saint he is and how difficult it must be for him to step down from Microsoft - as if he is still working all the hours God sends in the office. He is just a figurehead and has been fro a longtime now!

[liowkc]

Personally, I believe he is doing all this good work out of altruism, but so what if he did it out of selfish reasons? The outcome is still good and this the bottomline. If we start questioning people's motivation for so doing good (and I suspect at least half do for wrong reasons) and reject their help, the world is worse off.

[the_raven_group]

Yes but at the end of the day you can't buy yourself a place in heaven. Bill Gates will get more air time and newspaper articles written about himself and his wife for charity work than he ever would have if he had continued at Microsoft.

[liowkc]

If you do charity out of the desire to go to heaven, then I guess the moitvation is not pure but from my point, it is Ok as the good work will be done and finally if the do-gooder go to hell, it will be too late to take back the good work done