Research In Motion CEO challenges perception that RIM is in ‘a death spiral’

TORONTO – Research In Motion chief executive Thorsten Heins says “there’s nothing wrong with the company as it exists right now” and he’s confident it will get past itscurrent challenges.

Those challenges include layoffs of about 5,000 people, faltering sales of its current lineup of BlackBerry smartphones and a delay in bringing out the new BlackBerry 10 technology.

Heins defended Canada’s leading technology company in a CBC Radio interview, part of RIM’s efforts to convince customers and investors that it can survive intense competition from Apple and other competitors.

He said the major changes that RIM has made to its management and business objectives since he became CEO in January are part of a massive transition to a whole new technology platform.

Heins acknowedged RIM faces a challenge to regain market share in the United States but said the company isn’t in a “death spiral.”

He says sales in other parts of the world remain strong and argued the transition to the BlackBerry 10 will be more than a product launch, it will be a completely different way for RIM to address mobile computing.