Microsoft Misses Key Talent In Nokia Acquisition

As investors

to cash in on

of

handset business, Nokia has quietly announced that its top designer is leaving the firm. According to

, Marko Ahtisaari (Nokia's exec VP of design) will step down from his role on November 1. The official word from Nokia is that Ahtisaari is leaving to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, but the timing is curious. Many Nokia employees -- including CEO Stephen Elop -- will come to Microsoft as a result of the buyout. Why would Ahtisaari leave at such an exciting time in the company's history? It could simply be that his retirement was planned long before the merger was in place. While Nokia and Microsoft have been

for more than two years, it was not until this year that Microsoft

a buyout. Ahtisaari may have also been offered the opportunity to lead a new startup. For some individuals, that job may be far more exciting than a gig with an established corporation.

There is also the possibility that Microsoft wanted to go in a different direction. Ahtisaari's work was revered by Nokia fans and company employees alike, but they didn't break any sales records. Future Lumia and Asha devices will only carry the Microsoft name. The Windows maker may plan to revise the way these smartphones look and feel in hopes of gaining market share from

and

. Ahtisaari is not the only top executive planning to leave in the midst of the merger. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer

sometime in 2014. By acquiring Nokia's handset business, Microsoft believes that it can

by 2018. That goal might seem a bit lofty, especially with Apple and

commanding so much of the market. But a lot can happen in five years --

execs know this better than anyone. Disclosure: