Can Apple Fill the Void?

nytimes.com

2 pointswyday3 comments

Yes, Jobs has been great for Apple, but all the focus on Jobs obscures the fact that he has worked with and been supported by a number of other competent people within the company. Who's to say that much of Apple's success could have come about Without their help? I've seen a few articles profiling these people (Cook plus about 5 others), but that's it.

Dr. Tantillo ('the marketing doctor') did a post back in July on his branding blog - http://blog.marketingdoctor.tv - asserting that Apple and Jobs are two separate brands. Tantillo argues that Jobs should have a succession plan. I don't necessarily agree, but I do think he makes a good point about Jobs and Apple being two separate brands--Apple would be different without Jobs, but different is not always bad. http://blog.marketingdoctor.tv/2008/07/24/brand-advisory.asp...

The whole world is concerned about Apple. I’m concerned about Silicon Valley, said Mr. Perlman, the entrepreneur. I need Apple to be harrying Microsoft. We need someone stirring the pot. God forbid that there is no one stirring the pot anymore. We’ll become Detroit.

This is so true.

I'm not so sure lack of good competition is what killed Detroit. In fact, it might be the automakers inept response to competition that killed them.

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