Archive for August 2011
An Email To Steve Jobs
Steve,
Over the last few years of my life, I have been given the greatest honor of being able to watch someone like you change the world everyday. Some who live now are either too old to appreciate the change in technology that you have brought or are too young and will never know a day when you had the world focused on you. From Macs, to iPods, to iPhones, and all the people who stood in crowds just wanting to get their hands on one, you continued to prove that a company could be so much more than just another organization of men in suits and you also helped prove that the CEO of a company could become an iconic figure unlike the world has ever seen and may ever see again.
As a person of such great power in an industry, it would be very easy for you to get incredibly fixed not on what you create but the size of the check going into your pocket at the end of the day. When people simply wanted to go where the money was, you found a way to go where the future was going and the people came on their own. Aside from making sure the company did not go under as CEO, it was almost never about the money at all, but rather thinking of what people were really looking for rather than giving them something they may have wanted. That is where people began to see not just another suit behind a desk but instead a person who may actually know something about great technology.
Very few CEOs of companies have names and faces that we could list. That’s why the showmen always get their names remembered at the end of the day. Most CEOs will go on a stage at a consumer electronics show and simply discuss what their company was doing this month in the world of generic remote controls. Nobody will care about the product if even the CEO is falling asleep at his own event. You not only brought energy to the products at Macworld, WWDC, and the hundreds of Apple Press Events, you gave the products feelings, you gave the products emotions, you even had the audience drop all senses of inanimate objects they had and fall in love with them. You did something every time you went on stage that other CEOs could only dream of: you made the audience see every product as if it were a new child coming into the world and had them all fall in love with them. And it caused them to feel a personal connection with you that no other CEO may ever understand.
Last is of course the main reason I am writing this letter: how you inspired me to be the person I am today. Ever since I had learned of Apple’s existence through the iPods, the iPhone and so much more dating back to 2007, I never looked at technology the same way again. Computers were no longer just machines to get me on the Internet. They had become much more meaningful to my life. Digital worlds began to fill my social circles with geeky talks of Apple Rumors and new iPod models. And most of all, I entered my career of talking technology with the world and have met some of the greatest people and made some of the best of friends. You not only showed me a new side of technology but a magical side of it as well. One I thought you could only see in Sci-Fi movies and fictional TV. And for all of that, the people, the new worlds, and the feeling a sense of home in a world of misfits, I will forever be grateful.
So, here we stand. You’re packing your desk and only heading to Board meetings. I now have to accept the fact that this is the end of a journey but the beginning of a new one. Yes, I may never see you on that stage again. Yes, it will be hard for me to get used to a new name coming before the title “CEO of Apple Inc.” in the news. But as you told us in your letter, this day would eventually come. As I was not fully ready for it, I can sense I am not alone. And I always know I will remember you for the legend that you have created and I hope you remember as well you will never be forgotten for the legacy that you created. I wish you farewell and good luck in your future goals not only at Apple but whatever you plan to do next. We will all miss you and will never forget the incredible days of Apple when you were there to lead us into the future.
Best Wishes Now and Always,
Conor, Creator of DragonRiderNetwork.com
Steve Jobs Resigns as CEO of Apple
Well, the day that most of us never wanted to see has finally come: Steve Jobs has officially resigned his position as CEO at Apple. As of yesterday Steve had sent out the following letter officially ending his duties as CEO and appointed Tim Cook, the COO of Apple, to position of CEO.
This was the letter he sent out when he announced his change in position.
I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.
I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.
As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.
I believe Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.
I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.
Steve
Steve Jobs has had medical problems for a long time now and most of us thought the first time around that he would not return from his medical leave back in 2009. Fortunately for everyone, he was able to hold through to give us so much more from Apple. The iPad, the iPhone 4, and many other updates in both hardware and software. To me, I really saw this coming some time soon after he had introduced his new HQ Campus for Apple. He really wanted to pick a time to hand off the company when they had a prime hold on their lineup of products. Now he will finally have some great time to spend with his family.
So last night was definitely a big shock to all of us, myself included, and we simply thought that without the showman at the hull of his ship that Apple may not last long under new management. Well our fears are obviously a little bit over-reacting at first. Then we realized that at most Apple’s stock would take a severe hit and most of us could finally afford stock and become rich when they release a new product. Well, that didn’t even happen either. After a full day on the market with up-turns and down-turns, Apple’s stock barely dropped 3 points. So as of this day I can truly say myself that Apple will most likely be just fine for a very long time. As for Steve Jobs, I wish him the best of luck in his future ventures and that he realizes that even though he is no longer the CEO his legacy will never be forgotten.
