Ballmer recruits HR with golf club

In an interview with Business Week, Lisa Brummel told how she was asked by Steve to take an HR job, but she was not interested.

Apparently Ballmer picked up a travelling golf putter from her desk and started to pull it to bits while hammering home why she was the perfect candidate.

Despite having an armed Ballmer in her office, Brummel argued with him. This was quite brave as Ballmer walloped Brummel's whiteboard for emphasis.

After two hours Ballmer ended the meeting, but the putter was in bits.

"Sorry about the golf club," he said as he departed to have a quiet word with someone else.

Next morning, after the ringing in her ears had subsided, she changed her mind and took up the job. Ballmer apparently named her HR chief and said she would be his "consigliere of happiness" because making your point with a golf club really makes you cheery. µ