GLOBAL – Nokia’s new CEO Stephen Elop addressed media and investors today for the first time since taking the reins at Nokia. On the conference call following Nokia’s well received 3rd quarter financial results, Stephen spoke about what he has found since he first started at Nokia just over a month ago, and gave a few updates and insights on some topics that are on the top of everyone’s mind. Have a look…
On Nokia overall:
In the five weeks since joining Nokia, I have begun the journey of listening, learning and adjusting. Indeed, I have already had the opportunity to interact with literally thousands of employees, as well as customers and partners.
At the highest level, what I have initially found is a company with many great strengths and a history of achievements that are second to none in the industry. And yet our company faces a remarkably disruptive time in the industry, with recent results demonstrating that we must re-assess our role in and our approach to this industry.
I would characterize Nokia as a landscape of unpolished gems. Whether it is the degree of intimacy we have established with millions of consumers around the world, our naturally aligned worldview with operators, ground-breaking technological capabilities in everything from optics to nanotechnology to haptics, our strengths in emerging markets, or our assets in location-based services, there is an embarrassment of riches within Nokia.
On Qt:
Perhaps the greatest strength in the area of platforms, however, is also another example of an unpolished gem, and that relates to the use of Qt – spelled Q T – as a cross-platform environment for the development of applications that can reach, ultimately, across much of our portfolio. Qt will offer application breadth and reach that is unrivaled in the industry.
On North America
There is no systemic reason that Nokia cannot succeed in North America. I believe there is a degree of focus and execution necessary, along with different patterns of doing business, that can drive success in that marketplace.
On MeeGo:
There have been various comments made at various points in time about the anticipated availability of our first MeeGo device and versions of the MeeGo software. My first impressions of our MeeGo work inspires both confidence and excitement, however it is also clear to me that our first MeeGo device will be a 2011 event.