Rather than finding a replacement for Raikes within Microsoft, Ballmer turned to an outsider, Juniper Networks (nasdaq: JNPR - news - people ) Chief Operating Officer Stephen Elop, to take on the high-profile job that Raikes defined.

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The executive role is more senior and usually appointed from within the company, whereas the non-executive post is generally held by an "outsider" appointed for a limited term.

BBC: Still no room at top for women

Labour has caused upset within the ranks of its own activists by selecting a perceived outsider to challenge for the Rotherham by-election instead of the local members' favourite.

BBC: Rotherham by-election: Walkout over Labour candidate

Microsoft has hired another outsider to fill a key executive role--one more sign that the software giant's promote-from-within culture is fading.

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