Nadella's veteran status could be a curse in mobile - Gartner

Analyst concerned the new Microsoft leader's 'insider' status will make him reluctant to rock the boat

Overhauling Microsoft's mobile business and shaking up its "dysfunctional" management structure should be top of the to-do list for the firm's new chief executive Satya Nadella, according to Gartner.

Nadella – who used to run Microsoft's cloud and enterprise business – was crowned the firm's new boss last month, ending a six-month search to replace Steve Ballmer.

He joined the company in 1992, and Gartner said his veteran status could be a curse, especially in the mobile market, which the firm has yet to conquer. Ballmer said missing the mobile boat was one of his biggest regrets in the role.

Merv Adrian, Gartner's research vice president, said making a bigger impact in the mobile world should be top of Nadella's agenda.

"[Nadella] lacks direct experience in the mobile market," he said. "His insider status raises the risk of his being overly respectful of existing businesses, and hanging back from tough decisions that potentially threaten them but are critical to generating innovation. Nadella must quickly demonstrate that he is not backing a 'business as usual' strategy."

Adrian added that Microsoft's management could be in for a rejig under Nadella's reign.

"He will... need to shake up what is widely viewed as a culturally dysfunctional management structure," he said.

Although his "insider" status could be a barrier for Nadella (pictured) in mobile, Gartner said overall it could help reshape the company for the future.

"Nadella's insider understanding of Microsoft's culture and his effectiveness in cross-team communication and collaboration could help him reshape Microsoft for the digital era – which will be key for the company to attain the visionary technical leadership to which it aspires," added Adrian.