As Steve Jobs steps down as Apple’s CEO — and Tim Cook takes over — many folks are wondering whether Apple can keep its innovation engine humming. This is not the first time, of course, that Jobs has left the helm at Apple. He was first shown the door when John Scully and other marketing folks led the charge at Apple — a charge that quickly took a nosedive. During Jobs’ absence from 1986-1998, Apple’s innovation premium dropped from 37% to negative 31% as the company quit innovating and its investors lost confidence. When Jobs returned in 1998 he restructured his team with senior managers who possessed a rich mix of strong discovery- and delivery-driven skills, and as a result the company churned out hit after hit, from the iMac and iTunes to the iPad, iPhone, and iPad. It took a few years to get things back on track, but from 2005-2010 Apple’s innovation premium jumped to 52%.
Steve Jobs, Tim Cook, and Apple’s Innovation Premium
As Steve Jobs steps down as Apple’s CEO — and Tim Cook takes over — many folks are wondering whether Apple can keep its innovation engine humming. This is not the first time, of course, that Jobs has left the helm at Apple. He was first shown the door when John Scully and other marketing […]
August 31, 2011
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New!
HBR Learning
Innovation and Creativity Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Innovation and Creativity. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Unlock your team's curiosity and willingness to take smart risks.