News Analysis: Tim Cook, Steve Jobs' successor as Apple CEO, now has the responsibility of ensuring the iPhone maker continues follow Jobs' vision for producing the most popular computing and entertainment products in the world.
The
day that Steve Jobs warned would come has finally arrived. Ill health has
forced Jobs to step down as CEO of Apple.
For
many Apple fans, the departure of Jobs as CEO was something that they didn't
think would happen again. Jobs has long been synonymous with the Apple brand
and by the look of things, he will no longer be playing a key role in the
company's future development, though he will still have influence as its board
chairman.
Regardless,
many changes are afoot at Apple as the company transitions to a new boss with
new ideas that might or might not work out. In order to overcome that hump,
though, Apple must do several things to show customers it can still thrive
without Jobs as CEO and continue to produce the best computing and
entertainment products in the world.
Read
on to find out what Apple
must do to overcome the loss of Steve Jobs as CEO.
1. Get the iPhone 5 out the door
Apple's
long-awaited iPhone 5 has yet to make an appearance. But now with Steve Jobs
gone, perhaps it's a good time for the company to introduce the new device. It
can use the event to showcase Tim Cook, and also help allay fears that the
company won't have the right product strategy without Jobs as CEO. The iPhone 5
should launch sooner rather than later.
2. Showcase Tim Cook
One
of the most important things Apple can do now is promote Tim Cook. The company's
new CEO has spent much of his tenure at Apple in Steve Jobs' huge shadow. And
there are many consumers (and even shareholders) who don't know much about him.
The time has come for Apple to showcase his persona and make him a
larger-than-life character like Jobs.
3. Keep business as usual
The
last thing Apple should do is change its business in any drastic manner. Steve
Jobs knew what he was doing as CEO, and he likely had a roadmap in place that
helped determine his company's future. To change up the business now would be a
mistake. The smart move would be to change nothing until it absolutely needs
adjusting.
4. Talk about Jobs' influence
As
noted,
Steve Jobs likely had a roadmap in place for where he wanted to take his
company. Over the next few years, as Apple releases new products, it should make
clear that those products were part of that roadmap. By doing so, it can show
that Jobs' influence extends far beyond his tenure as CEO, and that the company's
executives have learned much from the man who many gave iconic status.
5. Highlight that Jobs is still the board
chairman
Although
Steve Jobs might not be Apple's CEO any longer, it's important for the company
to point out that he's still the chairman of the board of directors. In that
capacity, he can exercise immense influence over the company and help Tim Cook
transition into his position as the chief executive officer. Jobs might not
have the same influence as he did when he was CEO, but he'll still have some.
And that's important for Apple to explain to consumers and shareholders who
might be concerned by his departure.
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