Microsoft CEO Shortlist Includes Ford's Mulally

Microsoft is on the hunt for a new CEO to replace outgoing Steve Ballmer.  Ford CEO Alan Mulally is a top contender for the position.  Mulally first emerged on the rumored short list earlier this fall and the short list just became shorter.  Reuters has reported that the list is down to approximately five remaining contenders, including Mulally, Nokia CEO Stephen Elop and a few internal candidates. 

Opinions have varied on Mulally's potential for success at Microsoft, with negative reviews from Forbes and Business Week and positive from Time.  The con group points mainly to lack of experience in the tech sector and a concern that the selection over emphasizes the importance of a "star CEO".  The pro camp points to transferable skills and references Lou Gerstner's success at IBM.  

From Forbes: "It’s intellectually impossible (and intellectually dishonest) to think you can come in off of a 7 year stint running an old-line car company in Detroit and then just “get up the curve” on the latest trends in cloud, big data, software, IT, outsourcing, search, consumer internet, wearable, mobile phones, and gaming to effectively maneuver in that new industry."

It hardly seems fair to say Mulally is unfamiliar with trends in tech.  Big auto has increasingly moved to integrate technology into vehicles.  Mulally and Ford have worked with Microsoft on sync technology.  Ford has had to consider tech trends in many of their choices in recent years.  But is Mulally's tech experience enought?

How well do you think Mulally is positioned for the role of CEO at Microsoft?