There's no doubt Google is a big, growing company, but Steve Ballmer, CEO of its older rival Microsoft, questions the wisdom of growing the company so fast. They are trying to double in a year. That's
insane in my opinion," he says.
Ballmer praised the more traditional growth and management structure created by Microsoft, adding that he isn't sure the search giant has proven "that
a random collection of people doing their own thing" drives efficiency and innovation. Google is famous of for letting its engineers devote 20% of their time to side projects.
As ever,
Ballmer alluded to the company--which represents Microsoft's stiffest competition as it shifts focus to the Web-as a one-trick pony, suggesting it's failed in its efforts beyond search. Ballmer said
there are four stages of business: create an idea, bring it to critical mass, milk it financially, then find a new one. He said Google is in the "milking" stage. "That was the '90s for us..." OK,
Ballmer, then what's the new idea?
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