It is always healthy to hear opposing views and yours is certainly in a different vein from the many postings since the demise of Jobs. That said it is absolutely phenomenal what Apple (notice I never said Jobs) has achieved in terms of company growth and value. I do agree however that is must be nigh on impossible to maintain.
This is an excellent article, and I'm glad to see there is somebody else out there who is thinking like I do. Not to be critical of somebody who has passed and can't defend himself, but there were many things Job's did that were overlooked because of the mighty dollar and the worlds love of anything with a little apple as it's logo. I feel that in the future, there will be more people speaking out about Apple and how they became so powerful, sometimes at the expense of American workers.
@David I agree with you about the deification of a person with many failings that we saw happen with Steve Jobs. No one is all good, of course, no matter how much success he may have achieved or how much charisma he exudes.
Now that Steve Jobs is no more with us , we should be concentrating more on his legacy, i.e. Apple.
We should also remember that Apple did survive those years (1986-1996) when Steve was not part of Apple.
The stock value of Apple remaining at a high even after Steve's exit from this world is an indicator that the people now have the faith in the company "APPLE" to continue to deliver innovative and premium products in the consumer electronics space.
In the minds of millions of people , Steve will still remain as an icon and his death at the time when Apple has been on the top of the world will make sure that he will also remain at that height where humans are treated like gods, no matter what happens to Apple in the future.
@David: Are you a secular saint? Have not you any time took opportunity to get lower price product / service from China/India or elsewhere? If you do not prevaricate, do you have rigth to doubt achievements of Setve? To me this looks like oppotunist writing.
Though I am not a big fan of Steve Jobs but cant just undermine the inventions and success times of Apple that Jobs has under his title. Jobs didnt get the fame he deserved in his lifetime and like most people, got recognition after his death when critics and fans realized how big the loss was.
However, I am also an endorser to the criticism mentioned by David in his blog and am of the view too that Apple should do good without Jobs too. It isnt a one man organization; rather it is a corporate giant whose roots are sown into multiple nations. With new CEO's impressive start, the stakes are high on Apple.
Prabhakar, Apple products are world famous and using across the universe. But how many people know who is Steve Job. I don't think more than half of the Apple users may know about Job. That's true with Microsoft, Intel, Sun, Oracle, Toyota etc. Many people are using the technology and products across the world, but those who are putting the real efforts are still behind the curtain.
-hm, am not a fan of Apple products (Iphone, Ipad etc). For me quality technological products with a reasonable price tag are important rather than brand value. I mean which can justify the price tag with technology. When I plan for a tab, I have the option for IPad 2 or Samsung/Playboy etc. I done a market study and found that Samsung have similar features with an affordable price tag and I opt for it.
@Jacob: I too have not purchased any Apple product as yet. But I always admire their design and give full respect to them. Also it is not only Apple who asks for premium. Almost in all product categories, there are premium products and they have their own customer base. But I will always adore Apple for their ingenuity.
_hm, yes we can say they are the trend setters/maker. They are the first one who introduced the Smartphones and tablets. Eventhough, thereafter many companies introduced many competitive products, nothing got clicked or superior to Apple products.
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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.
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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.
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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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