Apple CEO Steve Jobs Calls It Quits

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright August 26, 2011
All Rights Reserved.                                         

              Fifty-six-year-old medical-miracle Apple CEO Steve Jobs finally threw in the towel, resigning his post as Chief Executive Officer, after a seven-year bout with pancreatic cancer, a quick death sentence to mere mortals.  Surviving a liver transplant in 2009, no one expected Jobs to last as long as he did.  “I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know.  Unfortunately that day has come,” Jobs said in his official resignation.  Jobs started Apple Computer in 1976 his parents’ Cupertino garage with his friends Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne.  He stayed with Apple 10-years before a power struggle with his handpicked CEO, formerly with Pepsi Bottling Co. John Sculley, forced his resignation in 1985.  One year later, Jobs bought Pixar in 1986, partnering with Disney Animation.

            Jobs arranged the sale of Pixar, the originator of “Toy Story” to Disney animation in 2005, eventually returning as Apple’s CEO in 1997, bringing unprecedented innovation with its MP-3 music player known as IPod, capitalizing on music file-sharing phenomenon know as Napster, eventually monetizing it into iTunes, downloadable music for a dollar a song.  Jobs’ innovation didn’t stop with iPods or iTunes, eventually revolutionizing the mobile phone industry in 2007 with iPhone.  Since launching the iPhone in 2007 and the iPad in 2009, Apple stock rose from $75 a share to its close today of $373, following a small sell-off from Jobs’ retirement.  “I consider him a god,” said Bob Metcaffe, a Silcon Valley entrepreneur that founded 3Com Corp.  Metcaffe considers Jobs unrivaled in innovation, something he believes will be sadly missed at Apple’s Cupertino headquarters.

                Jobs' transfer from Apple’s CEO to Chairman of the Board raises uncertainty about the 56-year-old’s health.  “Today’s a sad day because I assume he’s not doing well.  But Steve’s the consummate entrepreneur, and he had this enormously persuasive ability to creat this new world we all live in, thanks to his insanely great products, it has been an awesome thing to watch,” said Metcaffe, whose 3Com “Palm Pilot” once gave smart phone maker Blackberry a run for its money.  It’s difficult to estimate the overwhelming influence iPhone had on evolutionizing mobile phone industry.  With its touch-screen features and Internet accessibility, it rapidly eclipsed smart-phone sales at Motorola, Blackberry, Samsung and Nokia.  Promoting Apple COO Tim Cook—a marketing and logistical expert—to CEO provides no guarantees about Apple’s future technical innovation.

            Under Jobs’ leadership, Apple was named America’s most valuable company, besting oil giant ExxonMobil.  Jobs personified American entrepreneurship and innovation, anticipating consumer needs, creating cutting edge designs and technology and leading the market.  When Jobs launched iPads in 2009, even his worst critics took a wait-and-see approach.  When the iPad took off like a Saturn II rocket, it showed once again Jobs uncanny ability to read future consumer trends.  No matter how intact Jobs’ creative team, his departure from the daily ins-and-outs of CEO changes the creative dynamics of a company led by a true maverick.  Jobs makes no bones about his past LSD experiences or preoccupations with the Beatles, whose record label, Apple Records, influenced his own namesake.  Jobs’ departure, while expected, still threw markets for a loop.

            Since Jobs came back to Apple in 1995, the company experienced unprecedented growth.  From a computer company that competed with the Windows’-based PC, Jobs sold Apple’s unique operating system with religious zeal.  His own contagious belief in the products transferred to consumers’ brand loyalty, despite the generally higher prices and less bells-and-whistles.  Exclusive marketing through Apple Stores and brand loyalty were essential parts of Jobs salesmanship.  “Steve’s extraordinary vision and leadership save Apple and guided it its position as the world’s most innovative and valuable technology company,” said Art Levinson, Chairman of Genetech, on behalf of Apples’ Board.  Levinson hoped Jobs would serve Apple in his new capacity as board chairman, despite recognizing that Father Time was catching up with Jobs’ many life-threatening medical issues.

            Personifying the best-and-brightest, Jobs was a role model of American entrepreneurship, sadly missing in many companies taking a backseat to foreign competitors.  Instead of seeing decline on the horizon, Jobs was ever-optimist about future technological innovation.  “I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it.  And I look forward to watching and contributing to its successes in a new role,” Jobs said announcing his retirement.  While Apple’s board and shareholders wish Cook well, they know he’s got big shoes to fill.  Jobs’ preoccupation with detail in terms of product development won’t be the same under Cook.  More oriented toward logistics and supply chain management, Cook lacks the entrepreneurial zeal that led Jobs’ to inspire creative innovation beyond anyone’s wildest expectations.  When Jobs’ fades from view, his creative energy will be sorely missed.

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com.and author of Dodging the Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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