Steve Ballmer, ETL

BASES is proudly hosting Steve Ballmer as one of the speakers of ETL (etl.stanford.edu).

Some highlights of the talk:

1. People are more cautious because of the economic downturn--> If you have a good idea, you'll get funding. The mediocore ideas that were funded before will not and should not be funded now.

2. Hire good people and a lot of patience; 90% inspiration and 10% perspiration is the wrong mentality

3. Emerging technology trends: Many-core processing, screens everywhere, natural UI, all content digital

4. Software powered experiences: Rich client+ cloud, span multiple devices, persistent and personal

5. Timing now is great for startups. Right ingredients are here and dream big

6. Contraction of venture capital capital is not significant enough to drive down innovation

7. Patience vs. Short Term results; Passion for technology vs. Passion for customers; Yin vs. Yang

8. Dig in and do what you love doing; work very hard at it

9. Wish he had taken more computer science classes; Learn how to read balance sheet; cases of Codek and Polaroid; managing art organization (symphony, ballet vs. corporations)