Nevertheless, Wall Street analysts and some investors have been grumbling for months that cutting costs—no matter how adroitly—isn’t enough for the tech giant. HP now needs a CEO with a strong technology background who can craft a strategy to fuel internal growth, according to Louis Miscioscia, an analyst with Collins Stewart in Boston. "I’m not implying a Steve Jobs kind of visionary," says Miscioscia, referring to Apple’s (AAPL) CEO. "But they need someone who understands where the IT industry is going."
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_34/b4192017461548.htm
There is a rumor that this is indeed the type of CEO being searched for. The company is positioned well for such a leader to restore performance to what it could be, encouraging and driving inovation, excellence, quality, and loyalty. Or… it could be the continuation on the path to stay within 10 steps of the nearest competitors, trying to slash costs to sustain profits without customers noticing the inevitable decline in quality. Let’s hope we find that leader for our sake and that of our shareholders, because I’m sure our competitors hope we continue our current course.