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Apple After Jobs

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the stuff-to-think-about dept.

recoiledsnake writes "The connection between Apple and Steve Jobs is unlike any other brand and CEO relationship in corporate America, maybe the world. While Bill Gates has successfully transitioned himself away from his day job at Microsoft, can Apple do without Jobs at all? Once word started circulating that Jobs may be ill, Apple stock took a considerable hit, dropping more than $10 a share. And when Mr. Jobs was absent from last week's quarterly earnings conference call, the questions started again — and the stock fell again. What does this mean for corporate users of Apple for whom switching costs are high? Can Apple continue innovating in Job's absence?"

5 of 454 comments (clear)

  1. Jonathan Ive by nano2nd · · Score: 5, Informative

    Jonathan Ive

    Responsible for look and feel of virtually all Apple products for the last ten years, is as much responsible for Apple's resurgence as the man Jobs himself.

    Old news though is that he himself is already positioned as a possible successor to the big man.

    Jonathan Ive groomed to take over from Jobs

    If that happens, I'd feel pretty confident about Apple and their continued ability to innovate in create great products.

    --
    G4 Hackintosh
  2. Steve's rarely at the earnings calls by Ignis+Fatuusz · · Score: 5, Informative

    This is the second high-profile article online that has mentioned Steve Jobs' absence from last week's quarterly earnings call. I have listened to Apple's quarterly earnings calls pretty regularly for over five years, and it is rare for Steve Jobs to be present at that event. It's usually Tim Cook (COO) and Peter Oppenheimer (CFO). And holy jeebus...the linked article cites Rob Enderle as its chief Apple 'expert'. Enderle is a joke among the Apple community, as his track record is abysmal.

  3. Jobs isn't on conference calls by RevRigel · · Score: 5, Informative

    I guess submitter doesn't listen to many quarterly calls, because Steve is literally never on them, and certainly hasn't been in the last year. Peter Oppenheimer, Apple's CFO, runs those calls. His not being on the Q3 call is simply business as usual, not something special.

  4. Re:But more importantly by LaminatorX · · Score: 5, Informative

    Next wasn't a huge success...

    ...until he sold NextStep to Apple for big bucks, and wrapped it up in Aqua and made OSX the Next Big Thing.

  5. Re:Come on, guys. by happyemoticon · · Score: 5, Informative

    Which is supported by the fact that many of their successful products were not created in-house, but acquired and then polished internally. Jobs would have to be one helluva creative guy if he could be the creative force behind something without actually having contact with anyone working on it.