For those hoping Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) will convince Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) CEO Alan Mulally to come over, all hope may not be lost yet. Ford executives have been saying for some time that Mulally will stay through 2014, but it turns out that this might not be the case.
Deepa Seetharaman of Reuters reports that sources close to Ford said Mulally is “unlikely to stay at Ford through 2014.”
Ford establishes leadership line
The journalist reports that top executives at Ford meet every Wednesday morning early to talk about the biggest problems and that Mulally hasn’t been present at the two-and-a-half-hour meetings. Chief Operating Officer Mark Fields apparently started the meetings and has been taking on more and more of a leadership role at the automaker, suggesting that Fields could become the next CEO sooner rather than later.
Will Mulally go to Microsoft?
According to Seetharaman, Mulally’s departure from Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) may not be dependent on his acceptance of the top spot at Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT). The sources said he could leave Ford soon no matter what—mainly because he has already taken care of grooming the top management in preparation for his exit.
So if Mulally feels that his work at Ford is done, does that mean the 68-year-old is looking for a new challenge? If so, Microsoft could be a good candidate for that, as the amount of potential that’s there appears to greatly outweigh what’s happening.
One Ford, One Microsoft
Mulally was known for the One Ford strategy he developed to put the automaker back together and bring its various business units together. He helped current Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer put together the One Microsoft reorganization, so it wouldn’t seem like much of a stretch for him to be the technology giant’s next leader.
Investors and employees alike have been hoping for significant change from a new CEO, although major change is unlikely if one of the insiders who are said to be under consideration ends up winning the position. Personally, I’m hoping Microsoft can attract Mulally, at least for a while. Once the shop is in order, I see even better things in the company’s future.
DISCLOSURE: I have no position in any of the stocks mentioned.
