What Tim Cook Needs Is Some Bravado
Apple under Tim Cook's leadership has done good since he was nominated the CEO of Apple on August 24, 2011 (when Steve Jobs resigned).
Apple hasn't floundered; Apple hasn't stopped growing; Apple hasn't stumbled; Apple hasn't given up its crown as the world's most valuable company. Apple still generates a lot of cash every quarter. Apple is sitting with over $158 billion in cash. Apple would be the envy of any business in the world.
Apple stock has done quite well since closing at $361.57 on August 24, 2011. Apple stock now sits at $536.86, or a gain of 48%. This should be pretty impressive for any company, and even more so for a large cap company.
In the two and a half years since Tim Cook took over as Apple's CEO, the company's annual revenue has grown by about 58%, and its profits by about 40%. That compares favorably with many of its rivals, including Google, whose profits increased by about 25% in the same period.
Why then Apple and Tim Cook are being slammed in the latest book by Yukari Iwatani Kane titled "Haunted Empire - Apple after Steve Jobs"?
Cook responded to this book: “This nonsense belongs with some of the other books I’ve read about Apple,” Cook said in an email to CNBC. “It fails to capture Apple, Steve, or anyone else in the company.”
Cook goes on to say: “We’ve always had many doubters in our history. They only make us stronger.”
There is something going on here that can't be ignored completely:
Apple is growing, but its growth has slowed somewhat from the highs achieved under Steve Jobs era. This happens to all big companies once they reach a certain critical mass. Apple is selling more iPhones, but the sales growth has slowed from over 100% year over year, to under 40%.
So there are some concerns. Real concerns about the future of Apple. Where will it find new growth?
If Apple can't find new markets or new products or new category killers, the growing sentiment is that Apple's growth may stall further. Google may take over Apple. Microsoft is coming back. Samsung is getting ready to launch the Galaxy S5. Everyone is gunning for Apple.
What Tim Cooks Needs Now More Than Ever Is Some Bravado!
bra·va·do : confident or brave talk or behavior that is intended to impress other people (source: Merriam-Webster. e.g. His stories are always told with bravado)
He needs to come out swinging about the growth of Apple under his leadership; He needs to bring back the "OOMPH" that Apple had under Steve Jobs. He needs to become a story teller and talk up about Apple innovations. He needs to bring back the excitement that Apple had. No one can replace Steve Jobs. However, let's not forget: Steve Jobs appointed Tim Cook. He had a lot of faith in Mr. Cook. Now Tim Cook may not have the charisma of Steve Jobs; however, he needs to let loose some of his managers who do have. Its time for Apple to unleash that energy!
The best way to shut up the naysayers though is to launch amazing, game changing products.
Tim Cook has kept Apple growing and kept the Apple brand intact. He hasn't made any mistakes (except Apple maps, but that was handled rather well). He has hired well, including a huge steal from Burberry: Angela Ahrendts. Now, can he take Apple to the next level with a game-changing, category-defining killer product that will forever cement his position in the history books? Something tells me he just might do that in 2014.
Download Apple's Innovation Strategy used by over 1,000 innovators worldwide, and learn what made Apple the #1 innovator in the world under Steve Jobs and now Tim Cook.
Apple hasn't floundered; Apple hasn't stopped growing; Apple hasn't stumbled; Apple hasn't given up its crown as the world's most valuable company. Apple still generates a lot of cash every quarter. Apple is sitting with over $158 billion in cash. Apple would be the envy of any business in the world.
Apple stock has done quite well since closing at $361.57 on August 24, 2011. Apple stock now sits at $536.86, or a gain of 48%. This should be pretty impressive for any company, and even more so for a large cap company.
In the two and a half years since Tim Cook took over as Apple's CEO, the company's annual revenue has grown by about 58%, and its profits by about 40%. That compares favorably with many of its rivals, including Google, whose profits increased by about 25% in the same period.
Why then Apple and Tim Cook are being slammed in the latest book by Yukari Iwatani Kane titled "Haunted Empire - Apple after Steve Jobs"?
Cook responded to this book: “This nonsense belongs with some of the other books I’ve read about Apple,” Cook said in an email to CNBC. “It fails to capture Apple, Steve, or anyone else in the company.”
Cook goes on to say: “We’ve always had many doubters in our history. They only make us stronger.”
There is something going on here that can't be ignored completely:
Apple is growing, but its growth has slowed somewhat from the highs achieved under Steve Jobs era. This happens to all big companies once they reach a certain critical mass. Apple is selling more iPhones, but the sales growth has slowed from over 100% year over year, to under 40%.
So there are some concerns. Real concerns about the future of Apple. Where will it find new growth?
If Apple can't find new markets or new products or new category killers, the growing sentiment is that Apple's growth may stall further. Google may take over Apple. Microsoft is coming back. Samsung is getting ready to launch the Galaxy S5. Everyone is gunning for Apple.
What Tim Cooks Needs Now More Than Ever Is Some Bravado!
bra·va·do : confident or brave talk or behavior that is intended to impress other people (source: Merriam-Webster. e.g. His stories are always told with bravado)
He needs to come out swinging about the growth of Apple under his leadership; He needs to bring back the "OOMPH" that Apple had under Steve Jobs. He needs to become a story teller and talk up about Apple innovations. He needs to bring back the excitement that Apple had. No one can replace Steve Jobs. However, let's not forget: Steve Jobs appointed Tim Cook. He had a lot of faith in Mr. Cook. Now Tim Cook may not have the charisma of Steve Jobs; however, he needs to let loose some of his managers who do have. Its time for Apple to unleash that energy!
The best way to shut up the naysayers though is to launch amazing, game changing products.
Tim Cook has kept Apple growing and kept the Apple brand intact. He hasn't made any mistakes (except Apple maps, but that was handled rather well). He has hired well, including a huge steal from Burberry: Angela Ahrendts. Now, can he take Apple to the next level with a game-changing, category-defining killer product that will forever cement his position in the history books? Something tells me he just might do that in 2014.
Download Apple's Innovation Strategy used by over 1,000 innovators worldwide, and learn what made Apple the #1 innovator in the world under Steve Jobs and now Tim Cook.
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