This past Friday, Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer spent an hour talking at Sloan. It was the first time I’ve seen him speak; he’s quite a dynamic speaker and displayed a quirky sense of humor. Below are some of his key talking points during his 20 minute speech and 40 minute Q& A session:

• Successful businesses need both a business vision and technological vision. When Microsoft was started it had both: The vision that the hardware and software business could be two seperate businesses, and the vision of seeing microprocessors as free intelligence.
• The past ten years, technology has created radical changes in society. 10 years ago, most folks did not know about, or have access to, the internet, cell phones and laptop computers
• The next ten years will bring at least as much, if not more, innovation in society. Infinitely cheap storage and always-on, ubiquitous devices will shape the next decade.
• Moore’s law will continue, but will bring new challenges on the hardware side: Intel’s biggest challenge today is learning to keep its latest chips cool enough.
• Software is where the action will be over the next decade. Ubiquitous computing will contribute to a morphing world.
• The CEO of the company has 4 important jobs. 1) Only the CEO has the authority to really change and mold a company’s culture. 2) Its the CEO’s job to attract the right people the company. This is particularly important for attracting talent 3-4 levels down from the CEO. 3) Investing in the future. Don’t only focus on investing to solve present day problems and opportunities. 4) Setting the external image of the company
• When asked what job he would do if not CEO of Microsoft, Steve came up with three options: Pro Basketball player, Pro-tour golfer, or professor at a business school.