...Steve Jobs' Leadership Legacy: Focus On Strategy By Margaret Heffernan Poor Steve Jobs. Not only has ill health forced him to relinquish the job and the company that he loves, but he must also suffer the Twain-like horror of reading his own obituaries. No doubt many will laud his design sense, his presentational skills, cool advertising, obsession with details and maniacal oversight. But many business leaders have had these talents and few have fared as well. What Jobs has had, par excellence, has been something less romantic but extremely rare: strategic coherence. Few CEOs these days have a strategy. That's the conclusion Richard Rummelt draws in his new book Good Strategy/Bad Strategy. But once of Jobs' many strengths has been his profound understanding of, and sensitivity to, externalities. When Apple roared back to market dominance and outstanding profitability in 2005, it wasn't just because iPods were cool. It was because, at the beginning of the century, Jobs had put in place a product plan aimed at one great external future event: the moment that broadband penetration in the U.S. exceeded 50%. Once that occurred, digital entertainment became technically and commercially feasible. In the period 2002-5, Jobs assembled and owned all the components he'd need to take advantage of the new broadband market: WebObjects, Safari, iTunes, QuickTime and the MacOS itself. He also threw a vast proportion of the company's cash at a retail strategy that experts said was extravagant...
Words: 389 - Pages: 2
...the passing of Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs a pioneer in the technology field the Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Apple passed away in 2011 (Apple.com). When Steve Jobs came back to Apple in Loss of Steve Jobs With the loss of Steve Jobs what is left behind is a legacy of entrepreneurship and charismatic style and very influential leadership. As Steve has moved on the Apple organization has a need to remain competitive within the market on all levels of products and services offered by the company. In order to remain competitive the continuation of operating the organization in the same fashion will be important as Apple can learn from past experiences without Steve Jobs. Steve stepped down as Chairman of Apple in 1985 after being placed in that position by the co-founder John Sculley. John Sculley was frustrated with Jobs leadership and management style and by placing Jobs in the role of Chairman Jobs could not make any decisions regarding the company (McCracken 2011). This frustrated Jobs and thus he stepped down. Downward Turn With an ever changing evolving business there is uncertainty. When Steve left Apple the first time in 1985 there was uncertainty in the business as to whether or not the company could survive. This was due to all of the chatter that stemmed from the decision to step down that many felt was a forced out. Many felt that it was a large mistake and that Apple would not and even could not survive without Jobs in the company. Jobs returned to Apple...
Words: 1094 - Pages: 5
...Steve Jobs’ Critical Review S teve Jobs’ management style is not worth emulating because he is always in the headlines, and talking about his unique leadership style has got me thinking about him, and what, if anything, the rest of us can learn from how Jobs did his job. There is no doubt that the Apple’s CEO Mr. Tim Cook will never have what Steve Jobs had in him. Steve Jobs was one of the most creative, visionary, and high-impact leaders of his generation and he has changed many people’s lives just by his visions. How many corporate executives can make a legitimate claim to have reshaped not just one industry but four: computing (the Mac), music (the iPod), mobile communications (the iPhone), and movies (Pixar). And how many CEOs can make the legitimate claim that they achieved their wealth and power by making tens of millions of people so unbelievably happy that they worship the company and its products with near-religious devotion. Because of his “manipulative” behavior he is considered by some of his employees as autocratic. His behavior in meetings for instance is described as being rude, authoritative and obnoxious, and his upmost concern was “Getting the job done” is highest priority. Although Jobs’ found success in a rough management style, it's important to appreciate that Jobs' rudeness and roughness were accompanied by an ability to be inspirational, for that he would do what no other manager has ever done. The best example would be, just to get things done his...
Words: 331 - Pages: 2
...them, will be able to follow the points about them that you are making. Your assignment should demonstrate that you know what make a successful leader, manager and entrepreneur in any situation. Word Count (from the start of the introduction to the end of the conclusion section) 1897 words Executive summary Leadership is the process of influencing an organised group toward a common goal and in doing this the leader, the situation and the followers all need to be taken into consideration. In this assignment Steve Jobs and Robert Mugabe’s rise into leadership positions are summarised and their leadership styles analysed using the leader, follower and situation definition. It will also be shown that the more effective leader is Steve jobs after comparing and contrasting their leadership styles. Table of Contents 1. Introduction.......................................................................................................4 2. Steve Jobs and leadership...................................................................................4 3. Robert Mugabe and leadership...........................................................................6 4. Comparison and contrast ...................................................................................8 5. The more effective...
Words: 2338 - Pages: 10
...John Serian 12/14/13 Professor Powers FYIS class The Legacy of a Man Who Changed the World “Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” –Steve Jobs. (Steve Jobs Quotes) His very voice echoed in the ears of millions across the globe, his saga, leaving a lesson to be taught to the indigenous people of the twenty first century. Steve Jobs, a man whose innovative thoughts transpired to develop one of the highest technological advancements in the history of mankind. Steve Jobs cofounded Apple in his parents’ garage in 1976, was ejected in 1985, returned to rescue it from near bankruptcy in 1997, and by the time he died, in October 2011, had built it into the world’s most valuable company. (Isaacson). After the release of Job’s biography, other inspired leaders got a chance to scope out how he lived, thought, and ran his company. All the lessons that can be passed down from his life cannot be simply described in one sitting. Although, there are seven key components that helped shape his life of success; being a rebel, an optimist, a dreamer, an enabler, an adaptor, and a philanthropist. Steve Jobs was the ideal figure head of his company’s Apple and Pixar. Yet with his success there were other contributors that, without...
Words: 2760 - Pages: 12
...music players and the trend today for iPad tablets. Apple started on the year 1976 which was incorporated by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne and today they is the most admired company particularly in USA. The company achieved widespread accomplishment with the consumer electronics resulted to a successful in finance as it is worldwide annual revenue topped $108 billion in 2011. The company is confidential on their ways to success as to keep it safe from competitors that may copy their style. However the article from Fortune magazine was able to figure Apple’s success from the several conducted interviews with former employees of the company and others explaining what happen inside Apple. According from the article Steve Jobs focused on institutionalizing his way of doing business on a more strategic level. He had a mission to turn the traits of his associates to pay more on details, the secrecy, and the feedbacks of the customers for it to ensure Apple’s excellence in the future. A mission is a unique purpose that sets a company apart from others of its type and identifies the scope of its operation in product, market and technology terms. Steve Jobs reformulated his mission attempted to provide a unifying purpose for the company that it would be the basis for strategic objective and decision making. Every time an executive reaches the VP level Steve Jobs never miss to deliver his lesson called the “Difference between the Janitor and Vice president”. His sermon...
Words: 1029 - Pages: 5
...to change the world for the better. That’s the same way that one man thought back in the early 1970’s. This man was Steven Paul Jobs. Over the last 30 years he has paved the way for an industry that is constantly changing. He was a man that came from nothing and showed the world that anybody who dreams for something can accomplish it. He is a leader not only in business but also in the world. Many people look up to him, including myself, and I would one day hope to possess an ounce of the leadership that he had. I have already attained my associate’s degree in business administration in June of 2011 from Orange County Community College in Middletown New York. While there I learned the basics to what it takes to become successful in the business industry. The reason that I chose this degree is because I work for Best Buy. When I started there I knew that I wanted to be more than a part timer. I knew that one day I wanted to work my way up the ladder and become a bigger piece to the puzzle. So I worked hard and decided to start college. Now that I am a supervisor and that I have one degree under my belt I just want to continue the push myself to do more. The next step would be management in my job, and I hope to have that within the next 6 months. While trying for that, I will be completing my bachelor’s degree at Devry University. Most management jobs, I have seen, ask for a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. This will pave the way for my future in a business field that continues...
Words: 1301 - Pages: 6
...innovation of Steven Jobs and his co-founder Steve Wozniak. Steven Jobs was a person of excellence in his career he demanded nothing but the best with his unconventional leadership style and his ability to visualize the future of technology. An unconventional leader focuses on providing the best products and services, more than they do profit. Unconventional leaders tend to lead the most successful firms and business in their industries. Leaders like Steve Jobs tend to create organizations built on creativity, flexibility, and taking risk that modernizes and wins. These types of leaders define their industries and most of the time the way other people live. Steve jobs did just that, he made sure that the technology he created was the product and service that accommodated the lives of others. Jobs was value driven, he developed people, build teams and strategies, and maximized results. As a college student Jobs dropped out during his first semester, although he was not enrolled in any more classes at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, he still took the initiative to take classes that only interested him. With nowhere to go Jobs often slept anywhere he could eventually Jobs returned back home to San Francisco, California and got a job as a technician with the Atari company making a mere $5 dollars an hour. Jobs worked the night shift at Atari because of issues he had with his fellow employees. While working the night shift he would often sneak his friend Steve Wozinak in his place...
Words: 1062 - Pages: 5
...the world. Steve Jobs' life started out rough. He was born in San Francisco in 1955. His birth parents gave him up for adoption, as their parents didn't approve of their relationship. His adoptive father supported his love of electronics, what started as a hobby turned into a passion. He was always smart but never liked school. He graduated from high school and attended Reed College. He later dropped out. He traveled to India in 1974 to pursue spiritual enlightenment. He often experimented with psychedelic drugs....
Words: 645 - Pages: 3
...people are taught that the only way to earn income is by obtaining a job, and a way to get more money is by logging additional hours on the job. This ideology is true, but for people who also value possessing the free time to enjoy life while in pursuit of financial success this way of life is also very wearing. Investing is a fiscal tool people can use to send their money to work. True investors understand that making their money work presents some risks, but with guidance and thorough analysis they can maximize their earning potential whether or not they receive a raise, decide to work overtime or look for a higher paying job (Investopedia, 2011). With many investment vehicles to choose from such as bonds, mutual funds, and company stocks, the most important thing to remember before investing is to do research and only invest money when there is a realistic probability of revenue. In this paper a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat (SWOT) analysis of Apple Inc. was performed to determine if this electronic computer corporation giant is a worthy investment. SWOT Analysis |Strengths |Weaknesses |Opportunities |Threats | |Reputation |Product weaknesses |iPhones |Competing products | |Leadership |Steve Jobs’s health issues |iPads ...
Words: 1113 - Pages: 5
...Apple After Jobs: Looking at the Future Beyond iPad, iPhone and MacBook Despite the millions of words, both print and digital, written this past week about Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs, it is safe to say that we probably knew very little about the man, the myth and the icon. In fact, of all the people over the years who led and shaped the personal computer and consumer electronics industries, Jobs was perhaps the most enigmatic. His personality and presence drove Apple to new heights in terms of innovation and design. It also created an almost cult-like following among users of the company’s products, who lined up for days to hear him speak at trade shows and events. The big question now is how apple technology will evolve and flourish now that Steve jobs is gone and his physical presence and charisma is missing. Conversely, Jobs was also an extremely private and introspective person, whose passion was simplicity and utility. Over the course of his life, his influence touched nearly every facet of our lives, from personal computers and phones to music, tablet devices and animated movies. But, Jobs was never obsessed with legacy or immortality, but rather with just providing ways for people to do better in their personal and working lives. He was also a person who recognized the importance of learning from failures, as he had when fired from Apple by the very man he had hired and later returning to take control and steer the company into new and exciting areas of...
Words: 281 - Pages: 2
...Strategic Choices In April 1976, Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs took $1,300 and founded Apple Computers. They began building computers for companies in a garage. As with any company Apple has seen its fair share of successes and failures. But today Apple is one of the most recognized brands in the world for not just computers, but also of other technologies. “According to surveys by J. D. Power, Apple has the highest brand and repurchase loyalty of any computer manufacturer.” (http://www.answers.com/topic/apple-computer-inc.). What has made Apple so successful? For this case assignment, I will use background materials along with other research to what I feel is one of the most important strategic choices Steve Jobs made that turned Apple into the powerhouse we know today. Mission Statement After much digging, I found Apple’s mission statement in a press release. “Apple is committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software and Internet offerings.” (http://www.apple.com/investor/). What has Steve Jobs done in the last decade to help Apple’s mission statement come true and make it one of the most powerful companies in the world? Dealing with threats When Steve Job took the position of Apple CEO in August 1997, the company was facing declining sales due to mismanagement, Macintosh clones and product shortages. Jobs eliminated many of the company’s...
Words: 803 - Pages: 4
...The Apple I Before the PC, personal computer, computers could take up whole rooms and weigh tons. But that was before the mastermind engineer Steve Wozinak built the Apple I, and the great marketer Steve Jobs. The Apple I was built on a circuit board in Steve Jobs' garage with the idea of using as few chips as possible and setting them in rows as to make the computer smaller. The greatest part about the Apple I computer was that it was incredibly adaptable and it can still be hooked up to cell phone now. The Apple I was a hit, and it is known as the first PC, but it definitely wasn't the last Apple device. The Apple I was only the beginning of a revolution that we still see in effect today. I see Apple products and devices every where I go especially school. Here at Voorhees Middle School every student is given an iPad to use and, that would not have been possible without the Apple I. Without the Apple I beginning the PC age, we could still be using computers the size of two rooms in order to learn. Apple has changed the way that we learn, and we use our iPads in class everyday in order to do homework, take notes, and study. Without Apple we would still be doing homework and notes on paper which would be a waste of paper and cost the school a good amount of money....
Words: 635 - Pages: 3
...Apple Case Study Paper Rhonda Ellis-Thomas MKT 571 November 27, 2012 Professor Linda Kulka View as single page Apple Case Study Paper Apple, Inc. was started by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne; Apple has stretched from computers to consumer electronics over the last 30 years, officially changing their name from Apple Computer, Inc. to Apple, Inc. in January 2007 (CrunchBase, 2012). Among the main contributions from Apple’s product line are: Pro line laptops (MacBook Pro) and desktops (Mac Pro), consumer line laptops (MacBook Air) and desktops (iMac), servers (Xserve), Apple TV, the Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server operating systems, the iPod, the iPhone (now available for sale in over 90 countries), and the iPad. The purpose of this paper is to consider both the environmental and internal pressures contributing to the changing market dynamics facing Apple, Inc., and use a problem-solving model, identify and define one specific problem Apple will need to address and apply a robust problem-solving process. The problem, according to the Forbes article “Will Apple Repeat The Most Dangerous Strategic Mistake Leaders of Fast Growing Corporation Can Make?” by Panos Mourdoukoutas, seems to involve the fact that Apple, Inc. may be taking their customers for granted. Is it a result of pressure from the competitors? Is it the economy? Could it possibly be from a mix of internal and external issues? Research will so what may be causing this problem throughout this document...
Words: 1549 - Pages: 7
...marketing plans involving Apple Computers and/or Steve Jobs. It will discuss how a marketing plan made a product successful and it will discuss how a marketing plan made a product unsuccessful. A failed movie will be discussed and marketing concepts will be applied to analyze its failure. Marketing Plans Introduction One of the most important aspects of any business is marketing. It can make or break the strongest retailer. Figuring out what the customer wants and analyzing that data will help determine the marketing plan; getting that information right will determine if that plan is successful. Considered a genius when it comes to marketing, Steve Jobs made Apple what it is today, but he didn’t always do everything right. He learned some lessons along the way that contributed greatly to his success and legacy. His determination allowed him to learn those lessons and ultimately it helped him change the world. Definition of Marketing Plan A marketing plan is a written plan that explains in detail how an item or service will be marketed. This will include what has been learned about the market, including demographics and population. It will also include established goals and how they will be met. A marketing plan, if done well, will facilitate the entire direction and coordination of the marketing endeavor (Kotler & Keller, 2012). Marketing Plans: an Example of Success Even before the recent passing of Apple CEO Steve Jobs he was considered by many as a living legend...
Words: 1814 - Pages: 8
