Apple Inc. (AAPL), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Among The 3 Companies That Should Hire Ron Johnson

Many consumers have been baffled by Windows 8, the company’s most ambitious redesign of the popular Windows operating system since 1995. Windows 8 adoption has been poor, and Microsoft’s hardware partners have been vocal in their disappointment.

Microsoft, then, needs its own stores to educate consumers about its products and revitalize the Windows brand. Who better to bring Apple’s strategy to Microsoft other than the man who created it?

Apple should consider bringing Johnson back

Johnson was lured away, not fired, from Apple. His former employer would do well to bring him back.

Since Johnson left Apple in 2011, the company’s retail operation has struggled. Last October, Apple fired the man it brought on to replace Johnson, John Browett.

While head of Apple’s retail stores, Browett made changes to the company’s staffing policy — cutting hours and reducing new hires. His decisions may have lessened employee morale. Recently, Browett admitted he was a bad fit with Apple’s company culture.

Apple has not named Browett’s successor. Bringing Johnson back would be the smart thing to do. Of course, it may be unlikely — Johnson left Apple for a reason; as Fortune points out, he wanted to create something new.

Ron Johnson’s value

After his exit from J.C. Penney, Ron Johnson remains a high-profile executive. He could take his millions and enter retirement, or, still in his early 50s, he could move on to other endeavors. With his success at Apple still on his resume, he would be a great asset to any tech retailer, or a tech company with retail ambitions.

The article 3 Companies That Should Hire Ron Johnson originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Salvatore “Sam” Mattera.