Ballmer tops Forbes' 'worst CEO' list

Microsoft's head honcho is number one on the list of chief executives who should already have been fired, according to the magazine

Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer has come top in a list of worst CEOs still in their role published by Forbes magazine.

In an article entitled “Oops! Five CEOs who should already have been fired”, written by contributor Adam Hartung, the US business site blasted Ballmer (pictured) for running "the same company he took control of over a decade ago".

“Years late to market, he has bet the company on Windows 8 – as well as the future of Dell, HP, Nokia and others,” the article stated. “An insane bet for any CEO – and one that would have been avoided entirely had the Microsoft Board replaced Mr Ballmer years ago with a CEO who understands the fast pace of technology shifts and would have kept Microsoft current with market trends.”

Cisco’s head honcho John Chambers also felt the wrath of Forbes, which listed him as number five.

“Chambers is the longest-serving CEO on this list, having led Cisco since 1995 and championed much of its rapid growth as corporations around the world began installing networks,” the article said. “Mr. Chambers appears to have been great at operating Cisco as long as he was in a growth market. But since customers turned to cloud computing and greater use of mobile telephony networks, Cisco has been unable to innovate, launch and grow new markets for cloud storage, services or applications.

"Mr Chambers has reorganised the company three times – but it has been much like rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic. Lots of confusion, but no improvement in results.”

Also in the top five were Edward Lampert, chairman of Sears Holdings; Jeffrey Immelt, chief executive of General Electric and Mike Duke, chief executive of WalMart.

To read the full article, click here.