Bill Gates reboots (Gates' decision to step aside at Microsoft)

Bill Gates reboots (Gates’ decision to step aside at Microsoft)

Schlender B.Fortune 2006, Vol. 154 No. 1, Start page: 40, No. of pages: 3

Purpose – to report on an interview with Microsoft’s founder Bill Gates as he steps aside from his operational responsibilities to focus on philanthropy. Design/methodology/approach – notes that Gates, now 50,announced in June that he would gradually move away from day-to-day activities at Microsoft, completing the shift by June 2008. Discusses the thinking behind this decision and the personal and practical issues associated with the transition. Reviews the process of arriving at the decision and the challenges associated with Warren Buffett’s decision to donate a large part of his corporate wealth to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Comments briefly on the work of the foundation, noting that Buffett is to become a trustee. Describes the coming together of Gates’ shift in priorities and the injection of resources enabling the foundation to scale up its activities as’poetic synergy’ rather than planning. Originality/value – can usefully be read in conjunction with an interview with Warren Buffett in the same issue of Fortune.ISSN: 0738-5587Reference: 35AR933

Keywords: Charitable donations, Philanthropy