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 Applemust 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.
Keep the Focus on Innovative Product Design
6. Showcase up-and-coming talent
Steve Jobs might have gotten all the attention at Apple, but he had a huge cast of characters that helped him achieve the kind of results he did as CEO. Realizing that, Apple needs to highlight those folks and make it clear that the people who helped Steve Jobs become Steve Jobs are still there. Apple hasn’t changed; only its leader has, the company should note.
7. Focus on design
One of the key aspects of Steve Jobs’ leadership at Apple was his ability to deliver outstanding product designs. From his laptops to his smartphones, every product offered a unique look that wasn’t matched in the marketplace. If Apple wants to maintain its success without Steve Jobs at the helm, it must continue to push the envelope of design.
8. Stay true to Jobs’ core principles
Steve Jobs made several controversial decisions as CEO of Apple. He decided against licensing Mac OS X to other computer vendors, he turned his back on conventional mobile-phone ideas, and he rejected enterprise buyers’ demands that Apple focus more closely on their needs. In the process, he turned Apple into the biggest company in the world. Looking ahead, Tim Cook and the other senior managers at Apple must stay true to those principles. Like it or not, they work. And the top executives can’t forget that.
9. Slow and steady wins the race
Whenever a CEO leaves a company, the new managers have a tendency to do several things quickly to show that they know what they’re doing. Tim Cook must not fall into that trap. Wall Street trusts Cook, and they trust that Apple has the core principles that can help it continue its success.There’s no need for management to prove itself by trying to move in some radical new direction to prove the CEO has the executive chops.
10. Keep the chip on the shoulder
Like it or not, Apple has a major chip on its shoulder. The company believes that it delivers the best products on the market, and it has a swagger that backs that up. If Tim Cook wants to be as effective as Steve Jobs, he needs to ensure that the company keeps that going. Apple’s swagger is integral to its future success.