In some companies, the CEO is simply a business person. Their job is to steer the company in the right direction by approving the best product lines and marketing approaches. However, these business-oriented CEOs often leave the creative aspects of creating products to others. This has never been true of Steve Jobs. When Jobs held the position of CEO of Apple, he was always seen as its chief innovator. In fact, it’s no stretch to say that the company is where it is today because of Jobs. Following his death, many have wondered if Apple will continue its innovative approach to creating electronics.
Jobs is Apple’s most famous co-founder. While Steve Wozniak and Mike Markkula, Jr., never became household names, Jobs has almost been synonymous with Apple from the beginning. One look at how the company began floundering during the twelve years Jobs spent away from Apple (between 1985 and 1997), it seems obvious that his innovative ideas were what drove Apple. Not only did Jobs come up with many concepts for products, he also was a great leader. He encouraged Apple team members to bring forth their own ideas, and his inspiration brought out the best in others. He had a vision for his company, and it was well-known that this vision drove him to excellence.
When the CEO acts as the chief innovator like Jobs did, the results are obvious. When he spoke about Apple’s products, Jobs did more than just spout off memorized statistics like some company leaders. His enthusiasm was obvious. The way Apple operated also points to Jobs’ drive and sure business sense. Apple products launched exactly when the company promised they would, but no Apple product was low-quality or bug-filled when it hit the market. Apple kept its concepts and prototype device’s secret, only introducing it when they were certain the product could meet and exceed the quality demands and the timetable planned.
Another thing that made Jobs more than just another CEO was that he was very hands-on in many areas. He didn’t just come up with ideas for products and then leave the development to others. He had a hand in just about everything: strategy, production, packaging, marketing… Jobs was everywhere. His hand can be seen in almost every aspect of Apple throughout the years. He wasn’t afraid to put in long hours or do the work himself, especially where the public was concerned. Jobs cultivated a very strong relationship with Apple’s customers. Because of this, he became one of the most well-known business leaders in the world. People knew the name of Steve Jobs
Innovation has always been one of Apple’s key words, and much of that had to do with Jobs. From the creation of the Apple II to the design and creation of the iPhone, Jobs was always a CEO who led and inspired his employees. His dedication to creating products that could be used and loved by everyone, regardless of age or skill level, took Apple from a small business to the empire it is today.