Birger Walls (Birger Steen)

Birger Walls (Birger Steen)

Birger Steen knows five languages: English, Norwegian, Russian, French and Polish. Has degree of the master of Computer Science and Industrial Engineering. Has degree of the master of information science (Computer Science) and organization of engineering process (Industrial Engineering) of the Norwegian Institute of Technology of the city of Trondheim and also degree of MBA of the French business school INSEAD.

Biography

In 1990 graduated from the Norwegian Institute of Technology.

During the period from 1992 to 1993 was engaged in sale of oil in Norwegian Oil Trading AS in Lithuania.

In 1993 went for work to McKinsey & Company, Norway. Held positions of the junior specialist, specialist and manager;

In 1994 Birger Steen received MBA degree at prestigious business school INSEAD in France.

In 1996 left McKinsey & Company.

From 1996 to 2000 – the executive vice president Schibsted (Norway).

From March, 2000 to January, 2001 Birger Steen held a position of the president and chief executive officer in Scandinavia Online (Sweden). Then was a senior vice president in Eniro. Thus, before coming to Microsoft, Steen gained wide experience of a management activity, working at key posts in the different companies in Sweden and Norway.

From 2002 to 2004 – the CEO of Microsoft in Norway.

Since 2004 – the CEO of Microsoft Rus. Was responsible for a company performance in the field of sales, marketing and providing services in the Russian Federation. In this position Birger submitted to Jan Mulfayt (engl. Jan Muehlfeit), the vice president of Microsoft in EMEA region (Europe, the Middle East and Africa). Birger Steen moved to Moscow from Oslo, Norway where he worked as the CEO of Microsoft 2 years. During this time he achieved considerable progress in the field of increase in a customer loyalty and expansion of influence of Microsoft corporation.

In May, 2008 it is appointed the corporate vice president of Microsoft. According to the Wall, it, mainly, is remuneration for some global functions executed by it. "That experience which is gained in Russia we apply in other countries"".

In September, 2008 decided to leave the post. According to him, it, most likely, will occur in the summer of 2009, but precisely not later than in 12 months. "I promised Steve Ballmer that I in his next visit to Russia will meet him here" — Birger said. The visit of the president of Microsoft, by words the Wall, is planned for April, 2009. The CEO of Microsoft Rus does not speak about the following work location yet, emphasizing that he considers different offers and will make a choice proceeding from optimum conditions for the family. According to a number of market participants, Walls can head the European division of Microsoft corporation.

In an interview to the Vzglyad newspaper noticed: "It is personally very interesting to me to travel around Russia … Just remarkably on a working trip to have an opportunity to see such miracle of the nature as Baikal. I consider that I was very lucky to get such job". On a question of whether Microsoft in Russia was necessary to face practice of "rollbacks" answered: "We refuse flatly to go on this corruption way. All our partners and clients know about it".

June, 2009 - Birger Steen is appointed the vice president of Microsoft corporation for work with the enterprises of small and medium business and distributors. He will get to work in the corporation headquarters in Redmond in July. Birger Steen is engaged in strategic development of the direction on work with the enterprises of small and medium business and distributors. Further development of a partner network and close work with local distributors and resellers worldwide - the main tasks of Mr. Steen in a new position.

September, 2010 - the president of Parallels company. Mr. Steen submits directly to Sergey Belousov. In a new position Birger Steen is responsible for sales, marketing, product management, technical support in Parallels and also helps Sergey Belousov with short-term is perspective to increase turnovers of the company extensively.

February, 2011 - It is announced the statement of the president of the company Birger Steen as the CEO, having released Sergey Belousov from this duty. The main objective of Mr. Steen in this quality – acceleration of growth of business of Parallels which the company shows the last several years. Its tactical implementation is connected with strengthening of positions of the company in the markets of software for providers of cloud computing and desktop virtualization where the share of Parallels makes 78% (according to reports of NPD Group).

Links

• Website of Microsoft
• The head of Microsoft Rus leaves: the countdown began
• Microsoft Rus: the transaction "Successor" began
• Microsoft Rus: In Russia it is convenient to be not the Muscovite