Gates-Ballmer era in Microsoft was incredibly successful, but not because they had technological insight or creativity.

It's hard to come up with any technological innovations from inside Microsoft in 80's and 90's. Microsoft strategy was to buy out companies that seemed to build something new and either integrate the software or bury it. Gates and Ballmer were both smart and ultra-aregressive ruthless businessmen. Technology was always secondary to business.

Few examples of their failures and corrective measures: The internet and the browser, Java and Smartphones. In each case they were hopelessly late and their reaction was buying spree, failure and repeat until success.