Jason Hiner
Stay the course
Must grow up
Jason Perlow
Best Argument: Must grow up
The moderater has delivered his final verdict.
Opening Statements
Yes. Apple will stay on track
Jason Hiner: Irreplaceable as Steve Jobs is, Apple has three factors that will keep the company on the right track.
First, Apple is in great shape in the smartphone and tablet markets, both of which are poised for explosive growth. Apple simply needs to iterate wisely, even conservatively to continue its success. It's safe to assume that Jobs himself has helped set the direction and strategy of these two product lines for the next several iterations.
Second, Apple and Steve Jobs have been preparing for this for a long time. Jobs put the right people in key positions to keep Apple moving and innovating in the ways he preferred. As long as his hand-picked leaders stick around, Apple will be fine. The real test will come in several years when the hand-off is made from Steve's leaders to the next generation.
Third, the myth of Jobs is going to sustain the company for a while. The principles he used in building products, organizing the company, marketing, hiring, are ones the company will use for years to guide decision-making.
No. Can't continue on great toys alone
Jason Perlow: For the past 15 years, Apple has been a consumer product-oriented company and reflected the vision of a single iconic leader -- Steve Jobs, its dreamer and Walt Disney-like figure who created its current success formula.
The company needs to figure out what it wants to be when it grows up. Yes, consumer products should continue to be an important focus area, but Apple cannot continue on great toys alone.
Apple's revenue is highly based on an annuity or semi-annuity model of repeat customers. Repeat customers are bread and butter, but they do not represent growth.
Post-Jobs, Apple must exist in a world of constantly improving commoditized technology being created by its competitors, as well as enterprises seeking next-generation, integrated solutions that it is not currently offering. Ones which are arguably more open and can more easily attract the partners needed to create solutions.
Anything other than moving on to the next Insanely Great thing should be considered an unnecessary distraction.
Talkback
RE: Great Debate: After Jobs, can Apple maintain the momentum?
RE: Great Debate: After Jobs, can Apple maintain the momentum?
A lot of potential impacts
RE: Great Debate: After Jobs, can Apple maintain the momentum?
Many companies have already tried to 'shop' Apple.
Jobs, Cook and (I forget the one's name who starts with an 'S) all have similar personalities to each other. Each of them has (or had) a very abrasive style that could drive away lesser people. In many cases those who would have left already have. Interestingly, in one case, the man in charge of creating the first iPods, now has his own company and has created a very Apple-like home thermostat. The implication here is that if someone is going to leave Apple, it's either to go independent or he's not the kind of employee you'd really want if you're trying to make yourself a 'copy' of Apple.
RE: Great Debate: After Jobs, can Apple maintain the momentum?
We can only hope that those who follow in his footsteps at Apple will have learned from Jobs the innovation it takes to keep the lead on the markets. With the brilliant minds at Apple and its leaders, I am only hoping that they learned plenty enough from Jobs to improve on the legacy of success Jobs provided Apple.
I'd be doubtin' it.
In fact so much so, I can only believe your either joking, a shill for some other company or you just want to kick up some gorilla dust here to get a reaction.
RE: Great Debate: After Jobs, can Apple maintain the momentum?
RE: Great Debate: After Jobs, can Apple maintain the momentum?
RE: Great Debate: After Jobs, can Apple maintain the momentum?