Key ideas from Steve Ballmer

• Steve Ballmer's net worth grew from $20 billion to $130 billion over 11 years by simply holding Microsoft stock - arguably making him the best investor of the last 20 years
• Microsoft's enterprise business started with the 'enterprise agreement' - a revolutionary licensing model that bundled software and created recurring revenue streams
• The IBM PC deal was pure luck: 'We offered him $45,000 for this operating system... we thought we could do this 10, 20 times' - Steve on acquiring DOS
• Azure began eight years before Ballmer left Microsoft in 2006, with Dave Cutler leading development after being recruited specifically for cloud infrastructure
• Ballmer identifies Microsoft as a 'two-trick pony' with desktop business (Windows/Office) and server/enterprise business - calling three-trick ponies extremely rare
• The developers chant in 1999 came from desperation: 'We have all these competitions... Linux is competing with Windows... we need third parties' - Steve
• Intuit Dome cost more but generates less revenue due to the 'wall' design prioritizing basketball experience over luxury suites and premium pricing