谁将接替鲍尔默掌管微软？

    不论最终由谁接任史蒂夫•鲍尔默担任微软（Microsoft）首席执行官，都必须补回曾经失去的时间。因为曾经占据科技界统治地位的微软如今正面临衰退的困境。微软未能抓住过去十年最大的科技趋势——移动设备与互联网搜索——现在，它只能在谷歌（Google，《财富》500强）和苹果（Apple，《财富》500强）等竞争对手身后苦苦追赶。

    周五，微软宣布正在寻找新的领导者。鲍尔默出身于一名健谈的销售员，自2000年开始执掌公司，近日宣布将在一年内退休。继任者的人选有很多，但没有哪位人选具备明显的优势。不论谁被选中，都将成为公众关注的焦点。如何带领一家备受瞩目的公司实现复兴？这将给继任者带来巨大的压力，

    候选人必须精通科技，有过在大型上市公司工作的经历。此外，候选人还必须熟悉微软的业务。目前微软的业务主要还是依赖Windows台式机软件的销售。董事会或许会考虑从微软内部挑选新领导人。不过，来自Facebook、诺基亚（Nokia）和瞻博网络（Juniper Networks）等其他几家公司的几位高管也有可能成功上位，

    董事会到底从内部选择还是外部选择，将大有玄机。如果董事会希望进行适度的重组和平稳过渡，可能会选择内部人选。而聘用外部人员通常意味着更激进的方式。以下是微软首席执行官职位的潜在候选人，以及他们各自的优势和劣势。

    Whoever succeeds Steve Ballmer as Microsoft's chief executive will have to make up for a lot of lost time. The reason? Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500), once the dominant technology company, is fighting obsolescence. It failed to capitalize on the biggest technology trends of the past decade -- mobile devices and Internet search -- and must now play catch-up to rivals likeGoogle (GOOG, Fortune 500) and Apple (AAPL, Fortune 500).

    Microsoft disclosed its search for a new leader on Friday. Ballmer, the voluble salesman who has led the company since 2000, said he planned to resign within the next 12 months. There are a number of potential successors, but no obvious front-runner has emerged. Whoever is chosen must be comfortable in the spotlight along with the intense pressure that comes with trying to revive such a high-profile company.

    Candidates must be well versed in technology and have experience at a large public company. Familiarity with Microsoft's business, which still depends heavily on selling Windows desktop software, is a plus. Microsoft's board will likely consider a number of internal candidates. But there are also executives from an array of other companies like Facebook (FB), Nokia (NOK) andJuniper Networks (JNPR) who could step into the role.

    Whether the board gives the job to an insider or outsider could be telling. Boards seeking modest reorganizations and smooth transitions typically choose an internal candidate. Picking an outsider usually signals a more radical approach. What follows are some of the potential candidates for Microsoft's chief executive job, their selling points and their liabilities.