The ingress and egress of executives at Skype has given us much to write about, especially the changes in the C-suite. Niklas Zennstrom (co-founder) left a few months ago and was replaced by interim CEO Michael van Swaaij who is now being replaced by Josh Silverman, currently CEO of Shopping.com, another eBay company.
Silverman faces some interesting challenges – he needs to figure out how to grow the revenues. Skype has seen a sharp increase in Skype-to-Skype minutes. He is making the right noises and is going to be moving to Estonia to spend time at what I personally think is the “heart” of the Skype operation. (Update: We are told this move to Estonia is temporary, about two-to-three months. )
I’m the new guy, and have a lot to learn. To really understand Skype’s cultural and technological DNA, my number one priority is to do a lot of listening and learning. With my wife and kids about to begin their adventure in Estonia as well…. As chief executive, I’m stepping into a flight deck first captained by co-founder Niklas Zennström and latterly interim CEO Michael van Swaaij. Both of whom have done great, meaningful things with this company. I don’t yet have the right to expect your enthusiastic two thumbs up. But as we go further on this journey together, I plan to earn it.”
The fact that he is moving to Estonia is very interesting imo. That leaves London rudderless in terms of leadership and puts into question the future of the London HQ.
Can you provide more color on how Estonia is the “heart” of the Skype operation?
thanks
harsh
@ Harsh
Estonia is where they have all their engineering talent. most of the people who worked for niklas and janus in the early days are still working for the company. it is one part of skype, ebay didn’t destroy with its meddling and to me estonia is what skype is all about.
josh is one of the nicest and most unpretentious executives at ebay . . . that alone, should give him a good foundation to build his leadership platform over at skype.
The Tallinn move is not perm. Josh said himself at the meeting yesterday that he would be there for ‘couple of months’ before moving to London office.
Apparently he’s only going to Estonia for 12 weeks.
I think Skype was great since conception and I just wonder since it was aquired from Ebay things started to change, becoming stingy. Last year I paid a sump lump for unlimited calls PC to land-line no. within US and Canada for the whole year. Plus I paid $14CAN for all other calls out of US/CAN region,minutes talked and deducted from $14. This year new rules; I am confused, do I have to pay $15 for 5 months plus $3/month for unlimited calls within US/CAN from PC to landline no.???? do I understand this correctly? Would somebody please explain the cost within US/Can from PC to landline no!!!!!!!!
@maria: hopefully my post today will help sort out your confusion; you are not alone in being confused about this transition. http://skypejournal.com/blog/2008/02/skypepro_for_north_america_a_r_1.html