I do wonder if it will be possible to rally people around the cause of pancreatic cancer with such a public figure struck down by it. From what I understand, that diagnosis is always a death sentence. There is no hope for anyone afflicted with it; they literally only have a few months to live.
It's a loss when anyone at such a young age succumbs to a terminal disease or a sudden tragedy. Steve Jobs did what he wanted to do for as long as possible, and I'm sure he worked tirelessly to ensure the succession at Apple would go as well as possible via Tim Cook's leadership.
I'm not an Apple insider, nor do I have any sources within the company to give me their perspective, yet based on what I viewed earlier this week from the Apple I4S intro (recorded on Apple.com) the tone and demeanor of the leaders at Apple is just as confident and on-purpose as Steve Jobs would have wanted it. That's the mark of a good leader.
Best wishes to the Jobs' family and to the employees at Apple worldwide.
Bolaji, you are correct that in the next few weeks -- after it is appropriate to do so -- analysts will be very openly questioning Apple's future and valuation. It is difficult for many to think of such things so soon after his passing, but unfortunately this is the reality.
And of course the Jobs mystique carries on even after his death: he is possibly the most well-known and revered leader of ANY company. As you correctly say, his image and pitchman skills were likely worth billions and I don't believe that to be an exaggeration. Yet still, putting the mystique aside, he is just one person and Apple did not collapse in his absence.
It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out. I do think we'll see an increase in the amount of negativity and concern surrounding Apple's future in the coming months. But on the other hand, Apple has had an amazing run... to continue that kind of incredible growth in the current economic climate is something I don't think was sustainable. Even if Jobs was still around.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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