As promised I finally post the second part of the book. Not quite as promised actually, as I fail to meet the target date to some friends. Hope they will understand.
The next part of the book, describe Jobs landing as the iCEO (interim CEO of Apple) and the things he did to straighten out everything that went very wrong at that time.
Simplicity
Kahney describes Jobs as a more of a minimalist dude than a complicated geek. This statement was backed up by several steps he made during his first rolled out at Apple.
- Everything from organization chart to products was streamlined. The org chart is very clear and direct. Everyone has a clear reporting line, no more redundancy. Jobs also replaced the old board members but one, which he didn’t describe as part of the old troops.
- During that time Apple sold more than forty products from ink jet printer, computer, to computer casing. This was clearly not working, as the company was very close to bankruptcy. Jobs booked a meeting room and asked each product group to present and sell their products to him. Kahney describe the sessions as hard selling sessions as he slashed most of the products including the famous Newton hand held (competitor of Palm PDA then). The slash down of Newton was reportedly a vengeful step from Jobs, as Newton was Sculley's (who sacked him back in 1984) baby.
iPhone and its predecessor, the Newton handheld.
- Like the conventional common practice, Apple then products was filled with features (feature creeps). Jobs asked each team to simplify their product features.
Focus (= Saying No)
Staying focused is one of Jobs’ best qualities. He’s described to be very good at it. Apple’s next big product was the iMac (pictured here).
The Organic candy colored iMac
- The iMac is one of the first computer to use USB connection and it has no floppy drive, as opposed to conventional then computers. Jobs ordered Cordell Ratzlaff to present the mock up interface for the OS 8 and quite impressed with him saying that Ratzlaff was the first man in the company with 3 digits IQ.
- Another anecdotal situation was the “getting Steved” slogan famous around Apple’s employees. In 1997 there were rumors that Jobs cornered luckless employees in an elevator and ask questions of their contribution to the company. If the answer wasn’t satisfactory the poor employee will be fired on the spot. This situation grew fear around employees, but Kahney doesn’t describe further detail or proof that the rumors were true.
Next…. The Think Different Campaign
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4 comments:
Wow, wonderful piece of writing Virna. Thanks so much for sharing.
I have read the whole book, but still your write-up (and the additional picture you add to accentuate it) gives a better emotional feel and deeper understanding around the context that the book mentioned.
Very nice job Virna. Very nice job. Thanks so much again for sharing.It's very useful piece of "work" indeed. Passionately wonderful.
- Arv
Thanks Arvino.
I was just summarizing what's written.
Which part of the brain does Steve Jobs use most of the time? Was is the right side or the left side? Is he a pure artist or half and half (a mix of entrepreneurship and art)?
As an artist, he does have courage in painting an empty canvas and creating a harmony there as Apple's products are state of the art themselves. One thing is for sure, his courage comes from passion.
Virna,
I think the greatest entrepreneurs always use "their whole brain" as a whole. :-)
The "theoretical separation" of the "left" and "right" brain probably doesn't apply to entrepreneurs.
By nature, they are poised to be different. They logically see things that is happening. Yet at the same time they are exploring and imagining the "next great thing" that is possible out of what they "saw". These iterative process in circular makes them able to clearly "see" things that others probably "misses".
Connecting the "dots" probably takes the capacity (and capability) of the entire brain as a whole. All work together, happening at the same time. One beautifully influence another, continuously at all time, until it reaches such "great perfection".
That's probably why their work become instrisincly, greatly and passionately different. Because the "ingredients" they use is probably not just come from the logical-mind itself only, but also from the deepest most passionate side of their heart.
My two cents. ;-)
I am compiling opinion from 'remarkable' people i know, on how to boost our economy. Which way to go? china way? or india way?
pls contribute
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