SAP sees profit dwindle in first quarter | CNET News.com

Business software maker SAP on Wednesday reported a steeper-than-expected drop in its first quarter profits, due mainly to acquisition costs and the slumping dollar.

The company said net income fell 22 percent to 242 million euros, or $376.7 million, from 310 million euros in the year-earlier quarter. The latest quarter included charges of 130 million euros related to the 4.8 billion euro acquisition of French software company Business Objects, Dow Jones reported on Thursday.

Microsoft has been pretty stable - only 2 CEOs on over 30 years. But the issue of CEO succession always need to be planned — Microsoft has numerous talents, but the complexity of the whole operation will always demand a person who has the ‘bandwidth’ not only to understand it, but to command respect on a group of people who has high expectations on themselves, and also their leaders.

If Ballmer bolts, who will lead Microsoft? | - CNET News.com

When Chairman Bill Gates hangs up his day-to-day hat on June 30, it will be an all-Ballmer, all-the-time show. And there’s no heir apparent inside the company to Steve B. Given this void, Microsoft needs Ballmer to stay at the top, at least for the foreseeable future, for continuity and leadership reasons, if nothing else.