Lol. Microsoft has had a rough couple of years. Mostly because they haven't a clue what their customers actually want or need.
They release a touch-centric OS for the desktop despite the fact that very few businesses and consumers had touch screens, and hardware suppliers had no intention of implementing them. New interface was unintuitive with K&M, yet they forced you to use Metro up until recently. They're mystified why their core customers (businesses especially) are still buying Windows 7 or are switching to competing platforms.
They released a tablet right when the new iPad and Nexus 10 came out. It cost the same or more than its two competitors but lacked the high DPI display and had a much slower processor. Compound that with the fact that few apps were ready to go at launch.
Then the rumours started swirling online that the Xbox 720 would have always-online DRM and ban used games. Which naturally kicked up the hornet's nest that is the internet. Gamers were none too happy about it, and it attracted a lot of negative press before the console was even unveiled. They refused to address this issue, and then showed off a console that had always-on DRM and banned used games. Which allowed Sony to brand the Xbox One as anti-consumer and anti-gamer. Rule number 1 of marketing, never, ever allow the competition to define your brand before you do.
That's why the Xbone is still lagging today instead of being top of the generation again. It has little to do with hardware shortcomings or games. Sony's marketing campaign was simple but brilliant. They gave customers exactly what they asked for, and made Xbox look like a joke at the same time.
So it's not surprising they urged Steve Ballmer to step down. I'm sure he's a smart guy and a shrewd business man. He just doesn't know jack about the software and hardware industries. That's why they brought Bill Gates back on as an technology adviser. This is one thing a lot of companies still fail to understand. You can't have someone running a corporation like this who only has a business degree and no industry experience. It's like taking a carpenter and asking them to weld a battleship. Apple learned that the hard way back in the 90s. MS isn't nearly at that point, but they need to start making some smart moves before it does get that bad.