Sorry for a long delay in publishing a new blog post. Was taking a much needed break in Tucson visiting my dad. Of course the weather was cool and it even snowed. But it was still a lot better than the weather in Cleveland. But anyway that is my lot in life. I will try to do better about posting for my legion of fans out there.
Last week, the new iPad was announced. Apple pulled a surprise by having Steve Jobs do the announcement. As you know, Steve Jobs is on another medical leave. So of course this continues to fuel speculation about what is exact status is and how he is involved with the company. Apple continues to be Steve Jobs’ company.
There is no question that Steve Jobs has been the face of Apple since its resurgence a number of years ago. There is also no question that he is the face of the continuous innovation at Apple. However, no individual lives forever and Jobs and the board are doing Apple potential harm by not parading a different face of the company. It should be the goal of every CEO to make themselves irrelevant. Your goal is to build an engine, not showcase the driver. I do not know what is happening internally at Apple as far as succession, but to the outside world, it is still Steve Jobs. A number of years ago, Bill Gates formally handed the torch to Steve Ballmer at Microsoft. Now Gates is certainly still involved, but the face of the company is Ballmer. Jobs needs to do the same thing at Apple.
Recently, the Central Laborers’ Pension Fund of Jacksonville, Illinois, put a proposal on Apple’s proxy asking the company to more specifically spell out its succession plan. The influential shareholder advisory service, Institutional Shareholder Services, backed the proposal. It was voted down by a 2-to-1 margin.
My understanding is that Apple has a very capable management team. What drives a company to allow so much control to go to one man? When that man exerts the kind of control and experiences the type of success Jobs has had. It is really up to Jobs just like it was up to Gates. Icon’s must remove themselves, they are not typically removed. Since Apple must outlive Jobs, he must take the initiative to kill his ego and his expectation of living forever (poor choice of words) and make his successor known.
2 comments:
As I was reading I was hoping a mutual friend was reading and comparing this as I was to the situation the Penn State Football program has with Joe Paterno. At least in Apple's case they are still increasing market share while their icon is in full control.
I have to believe that for the most part the control Jobs has is not what it used to be. I can only assume that his health has demanded a lesser role, but as you say, to run him out there and present the appearance of full control one has to believe he may still have it. As we both share a passion for baseball, I am reminded of something I learned very early as an umpire: if everyone see's an out, you call an out.
TB
Totally agree about Joe Paterno. Got to believe it affects recruiting. I also understand he has a clear cut choice to transition too. It comes down to ego. You got to step out of the way when it is time and always build a succession plan.
Post a Comment