RIM’s co-CEOs: A pathetic pair
Research in Motion’s two CEOs have to go.
The company has lost investor—and increasingly customer—confidence over the last year. Its latest, greatest savior OS is behind schedule. The PlayBook is a disaster. And RIM could be circling the porcelain rim if it isn’t careful.
Nevertheless, RIM carries on with its current management. Co-CEOs James Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis are taking $1 in salary a year. This token gesture inspires instant cynicism. The two may only be worth $1 a year at this point. You get what you pay for.
RIM’s earnings conference call yesterday after a disappointing fourth-quarter outlook was another romp through bizarro world. In this world, RIM is always on the cusp of a massive transformation and a product home run. If you’ve been paying attention you already know the punchline. RIM strikes out more than the Phillies’ Ryan Howard in a playoff series.
But why listen to me. Let’s have RIM’s dynamic duo tell the story in their own words. Here’s part of what they said yesterday.
If you read the rest of the article you will find that these numbskulls still don’t see the writing on the wall and still don’t have a clue how to make their products relevant once again. The technology industry is going to pass these guys by before they even realize that the Blackberry isn’t the greatest smartphone in the world anymore.
David Pogue has an interesting post about some of the other C.E.O. failures of 2011.