Questions marks were raised when Thorsten Heins was appointed CEO of RIM 12 weeks ago, with doubts over whether he would be able to drive new life into firm.
We had concerns here at TechRadar once we learnt that former joint-CEO, Mike Lazaridis was set to become Heins’ right-hand man, making us question how much actual control Heins would have on the company.
Heins arrival at the top didn’t seem to signal a new chapter for RIM, with the straight talking German looking to continue where his predecessors had left off, leading to concern over whether the firm could break out of its down-turn.
However, having witnessed Thorsten first hand during BlackBerry World 2012, I now fully believe he is the man to pull RIM out of the mire and back into the thick of the mobile game.
Sickening level of arrogance
Too often we see company representatives waxing lyrical about their products and skirting around the difficult and uncomfortable topics, as they exude an unhealthy and quick frankly, sickening level of arrogance.
Heins, on the other hand is calm, collective, a man who clearly has his head screwed on, knows where he and his company stands and is not afraid to highlight the issues RIM needs to overcome.
Boyish pride
Of course, during his keynote presentation on Tuesday morning, Heins expressed great enthusiasm for the BB10 platform which he has worked tireless on for the past year and a half.
It wasn’t forced enthusiasm and hype however. Heins expressed a boyish pride for his product, coming across even slightly embarrassed as he explained his genuine belief that BB10 is going to be an excellent mobile computing platform.
There’s no ego present. Sure the phase "super awesome" was banded about a bit too much for my liking, but you can put that down to the pure excitement from a team who really believe they have created a product set to rival iOS and Android. And, to be fair, I reckon they’ve got a strong case.
Honesty and composure
For all the excitement over the new platform, Heins is keeping his feet on the ground and in his press session the following day you saw just how focussed and driven he is.
The session itself was unique, as it was the first time a RIM CEO had attended a press open session, which Heins explained was part of his plan to building new relationships.
"RIM is looking to engage more with the stakeholders around us, including the press, and really start communicating a bit more about what’s going on in RIM, what we are doing and where we’re heading."
Heins went on to highlight the problems the company faced after it saw massive growth from 2007 onwards, which lead to it losing focus, direction and efficiency.
He admitted that the firm tried its hand at too many things and the BB7 platform had runs its course, with focus now on the next decade and BB10.
We are all aware of the issue RIM has faced, but when the CEO comes out and talks openly and honestly about them it gives you more confidence in the company – as you feel they are not trying to hide anything.
You can’t help but believe Thorsten. Everything he says is measured, well thought out and has the air of German precision, while at the same time staying relaxed and engaging.
Uphill Battle
Heins highlighted that the company has an "uphill battle in the US", where he admitted the firm’s lack of LTE devices and over-done touchscreen innovation saw it lose market share.
"In the US we are behind, but I am convinced we will be a strong contended again and I absolutely expect us to regain market share in the US."
Heins: "We are here to win. I’m not here to just be in the game"
RIM is performing well in other markets, especially those which are emerging, with its budget BlackBerry handsets proving popular.
Heins is clear on RIM’s goal: "We are here to win. I’m not here to just be in the game. The whole team wants to win and the whole team deserves to win."
It’s a bold statement, but the way Heins delivered it, with his measured explanation of the BB10 goal, makes you believe in the company and its fortunes going forward.
Unflappable to end
Confirmation of my confidence in Heins’ ability to get RIM winning again occurred while I was having a quiet evening beer on the hotel terrace.
Heins appeared with his son, taking a leisurely stroll round the grounds when they were interrupted by a disgruntled developer who unleashed a rude and aggressive verbal attack towards the RIM CEO.
It wasn’t clear what had grinded this developer’s gears, but the way he in which voiced his problems would have certainly infuriated the majority people. Heins reaction however, was commendable.
He stayed calm and polite, managing to diffuse the situation before continuing the walk with his son.
It’s genuinely pleasing to see a CEO in a truly human light. All he wanted to do was enjoy the evening with his son. There was no pretentious entourage, no being whisked away to exclusive venues or any looking down on anyone.
Here is a man who knows what he is doing, has clear, sensible goals and a product which looks set to challenge in the market, while at the same time keeps his head out of the sky and his feet firmly on the ground.
You can’t help but like Thorsten Heins, and I hope you join me in wishing him all the best, as I feel that success is the least that he, and RIM, deserves.
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Tags: Back, Heins, LEAD, Opinion, Thorsten
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