The True Genius of Apple Inc.

The True Genius of Apple Inc.

When Ronald Reagan passed away, the media paused from its usual spin cycle to reflect on his life and what it meant to our country.  When Pope John Paul passed away the masses were moved to grieve and honor this iconic world figure.  When Steve Jobs passed away his face glossed magazines worldwide and private memorials sprung up 
throughout the globe.

There’s something strange about the last sentence of the last paragraph.  The grieving and memorializing of the world is normally reserved for political and religious figures who changed or molded society in a significant way.  Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Theresa, John F. Kennedy Jr.  Since when were CEO’s of computer companies allowed to join such hallowed company? 

What exactly did Steve Jobs and Apple do that grabbed the attention, the imagination and the sympathies of the entire planet?  Let’s start with what they didn’t do.

The first MP3 player on the market.

They didn’t do it by being the first ones to create a new technology.  Apple didn’t create the first computer, cell phone, tablet, or even MP3 player.  Computers were developed by groups of researchers and designers over a period of many years.  The first hand- held portable cell phone was made by Motorola in the 1970’s and Apple didn’t make their first Iphone until 2007, well after cell phones had become common-place amongst the public.  They didn’t even have the first internet-connected cell phone.  The Palm holds that distinction and the Blackberry was a wildly popular smartphone before the Iphone even hit the market.  The first tablet was produced by Microsoft in 2001.  (I’m not making this up, google it yourself) The first MP3 player was released by Compaq in 1999 as the “personal jukebox” and it failed to catch on or revolutionize
 the market in any way whatsoever.

They didn’t do it because they hire the smartest people or had the best management team.  In the early 90’s Apple’s reputation for management and product design was terrible.  They experienced several changes at CEO and other computer companies like Microsoft and HP took significant leads in the marketplace.  All of these computer companies were bringing in top talent from throughout the country.  Microsoft had Bill Gates.  Apple had a declining stock price.

There are dozens of computer and technology companies out there that make the same products as Apple and have the same corporate and management structure as they do.  So how did Apple set themselves apart from the crowd?

They did it by doing what those other great leaders did. They inspired.

Remember these guys....

In everything that Apple did, they challenged the status quo.  MP3 players were all large and clunky, Apple made them smaller.  Every laptop was rigid and inflexible, Apple made them smooth and streamlined.  All the other computers used Windows operating system, Apple created their own.  All the computers on the marketplace were white and clunky, Apple added some color.  Tablets were used for business purposes and reading books, they put it all together and made it work.

Apple doesn’t draw from the same playbook as everyone else.  They draw up their own.  And in so doing, they inspire.  Martin Luther King Jr. refused to accept the status quo of segregation and inequality.  He didn’t accept the playbook that everyone else used.  He was divinely inspired to make the laws of the country fall in line with the natural laws and rights of every human being.  He didn’t use
 anyone else’s playbook, he drew up his own.

Apple connects with people in a way that other companies just can’t seem to grasp.  Yes, Apple does have top talent and does make a wonderful product, and these factors are important.  But, people buy Apple because they believe what Apple believes.  Apple believes in doing things their own way, blazing their own path, and challenging the status quo.  The people who line up outside of Apple stores for hours on end to buy a new product before it has touched the market, received a single review or been purchased by a single customer aren’t there because the Iphone 4S has the Siri talking device on it.  They are there because they are inspired.  They are there because they believe what Apple believes. They have a connection with Apple that goes beyond the quality of the product of the price of the item.

Steve Jobs takes his place amongst a pantheon of inspirational figures like Thomas Edison, The Wright Brothers and other great figures of American history.  And he takes this place deservedly so.  Yes, he created great products and was a cunning businessman, but that is not why he is there.  He is there for the same reason those other figures are there.  He is there because you believe what he believes. He is there because you were inspired by him and he, in turn, was inspired by you. He is there because he challenged the status quo and helped to change our society. One can only hope that with his passing Apple retains its vision and its ability to inspire and change the world we live in.  R.I.P. Steve Jobs.