Can Apple Fill the Void? By BRAD STONE The New York Times January 16, 2009
It has been in the air for some time, but Apple can dodge the question no longer: How important is Steven P. Jobs to its future? By all accounts, Mr. Jobs's perfectionism, autocratic managerial style and disregard for conventional wisdom are at the heart of Apple's remarkable streak of success. Since he returned to Apple in 1996, the company has set a new standard for design in personal computers, built a chain of sleek and always-crowded stores, jump-started the sale of digital music and turned the mobile phone into a fun, flexible computer. This is clearly the stuff of business legend. But now the company faces the real possibility that its inspirational leader may fade from the scene. Mr. Jobs, Apple's co-founder and chief executive, said on Wednesday that he was taking a leave of absence from Apple until June because his health issues - he is a survivor of pancreatic cancer - are "more complicated" than he first thought. That terse letter, after he had played down his illness just last week, left Apple watchers asking what might happen to the company if Mr. Jobs does not return in June as planned. Analysts are quick to point out the strength of the company's management bench. Timothy D. Cook, its longtime chief operating officer, will take over at least temporarily and is responsible for Apple's manufacturing and sales operation, which are the envy of the consumer electronics industry. Jonathan Ive, Apple's design chief, runs the team that has created much of the functional, visceral and emotional allure of Apple products, whose design ambitions extend right down to its elegant packaging. But some Apple watchers and former employees are skeptical about Apple's fate if it is forced to soldier on without Mr. Jobs. ... http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/16/technology/companies/16apple.html *********************************** * POST TO MEDIANEWS@ETSKYWARN.NET * *********************************** Medianews mailing list Medianews@etskywarn.net http://lists.etskywarn.net/mailman/listinfo/medianews
