“Right now, a BlackBerry Turnaround is impossible”, says John Chen

Since BlackBerry CEO John took the helm, things have changed for the company, with the major goal being to bring the company back to profitability. Chen has sought much cost-cutting, which has resulted in a leaner company garnering the last two quarters in the black.

While smartphone sales continue to be a struggle, Chen is determined to make software as a business, which is a little bit different from the past. It has helped to stop the financial bleeding and the company is now generating a little of cash. While it’s a very small profit, it’s a huge change from a couple years ago.

Chen faces immense pressure to ensure his turnaround plan is successful, and please investors, but the harsh reality of failure remains ever present on Chen’s mind.

Surprisingly, in an interview with Business Insider Chen says that a turnaround right now is impossible:

“Right now, I know it’s impossible,”

“I should leave now because if I stay longer, it will be on me. But it will work.”

Chen says the key to bringing the company back to profitability is to not let the obstacles in the way bring you down. Chen likens the job to that of a doctor working in an emergency room.

“People like us, who like to tackle a tough problem, who focus on turnarounds and trying to save enterprises and businesses, we like tough challenges,” he said. “It’s like emergency room doctors. It’s not like it doesn’t get to you — it does get to me, but we can’t let it drag us down.”

Chen says he isn’t worried, though.

“I’m not too concerned about how tough this is,” he said. “Sometimes things are so bad that you find out over time that you laugh at it, but you get up and run again.”