Personality of Steve Jobs - Essay Example

?Introduction: Company C.E.O; entrepreneur; visionary man; revolutionary head behind the major electronic component that we have around us; all thesedefine one person and that is Steve Jobs. Very few people have left an influence in terms of their scientific and technological contributions in the 20th century. One of those personalities includes Steve Jobs. Despite his demise the whole of technological world is engulfed into inventions and ideas that were introduced and then patented by the man himself, and despite his demise the company Apple Inc. enjoys supremacy in the field of electronics and gadgets against its competitors. Steve jobs was associated with a purely electronic industry which later transformed into a technological mobile phone and other gadgets specialized industry. Roadmap: The paper looks into the early life of Steve jobs, the early days of professional career, the hiccups faced, the rise afterwards and the building of empire in form of Apple Inc. this is followed by the analytical and professional specialization analysis and the manner in which he under took the innovations and novelty. Thesis statement: The man who brought about revolution in the field of electronic devices and other gadgets. Early Life: Born in San Francisco, United States of America in 1955 lived a considerably ordinary life in early days. But it was this ordinary life that was to be transformed into a more explorative one in times ahead. His childhood traces find no evident traces of being an extra ordinary student, and he mostly preferred being low profile and the famous garage where he would explore the electronic devices and think on imaginative lines. He was brought up in the Silicon Valley and he was sent to Crittenden Middle School (Imbimbo, 22). He had his affiliations and interest in the electronic devices and the other electronic means that were available to him at that time. Sign of events to come: One habit of Steve Jobs that could possibly had been taken as a sign of events to come was in form of his exploration and working with the neighbor in the garage. In their limited capacity yet imaginative mind and ideas they would work on the radio transistors that were available to them and would open them to check its working and design. The first experience with the device (computer) that would become an integral part of his life was when he was only 11-12 years old. It was at the Hewlett- Packard organized gathering of similar devices where he got a touch on this electronic device called computer. This was the turning point and that set the precedence for investigation and intrigue about the electronic devices and this quest would go on till the end of his life in form of innovations and novel inventions of electronic devices and ideas. The first break through: The first formal breakthrough was achieved in 1974 when he got associated with the makers of Atari and contributed in his capacity (Shea, 26). This venture did not last too long and he took temporary refuge from his ambitions.1976 was the year when he formally started working on making a computer with his close partner Steve Wozniak. The two would go on to make an empire of digital gadgets in longer run. They took the initiative of designing a computer that would provide better features against the conventional computer that was in place and produced by IBM and Microsoft. Steve Wozniak decades after their first meeting explained the reason behind their collaboration and the secret behind the secret of innovation. To him, the work always worked wonders because both had strong longing for innovations and working with the new devices in a unique manner. This held the interest of both and allowed them exploring new horizons. It was at the local garage where they undertook the task of developing computer on small scale and they went on to achieve success in their endeavors. The development of computer did not come without a cost and two of them had to sacrifice their then beloved pieces of possession with one selling out his car and other his calculator (reference). With the introduction of Apple Computer, the overall trend of computing took a new turn. The prices came down, people started getting familiar with the computers, and the device( computer) which was once associated with the government usage and laboratories, people started imagining the possibility of using it for domestic purposes and in their houses. The first trace of novelty can be traced to the development of colored screen computers when they replaced the conventional command line interface (C.L.I), with Graphic line interface enabled computers that were much more attractive in their usage and more easy to use as well. They were accompanied with a mouse like device for rotating the cursor on the computer. This brought an end to the reliance on the command based computer world. His contributions did not cease at a colored screen computer only, he went on to introduce music playing devices in the name of I Pod. This was again a unique kind of introduction that was not present to the customers before. The introduction of I Pad totally brought a new concept in form of a small computer in hand. With less than 9 inches screen and the gadget had everything to it, music, entertainment, connectivity, work, scheduling nay everything that a 21st century electronic device would offer. Internal configuration of the firm: Apple Inc operates on pure professional footings, the leadership qualities and performance measures undertaken by Steve jobs were an epitome and guideline based that can be incorporated into any organization and any project. His methods of management were totally participative and team oriented. Competitors: On company level, in recent times it has been Apple Inc versus the rest of digital world major players, which include the Android, Linux, Microsoft’s windows, HTC , Blackberry and many more. On CEO level it was Bill gates against Steve Jobs and other notable figures of marketing world in the electronic category. Threat of new entrants: Samsung posed a major threat with regard to Apple Dominance, and in a competitive market as electronics industry, new entrants are always around and pose challenge. Suppliers: Apple Inc has an integrated mechanism of suppliers spread across the globe that provide necessary components, hardware, electronic circuitry and other raw materials. Cupertino is one of them, other sources are derived from Asian market. Substitutes: The immediate transfer of power from the ailing CEO Steve Jobs to Timothy D. Cook speaks of the networked working of Apple Inc and the readiness towards change. Similarly Apple Inc relies on not just the mainstream items and hardware, rather it entails backup and alternate applications plan as well. Industry in which he operated: Two narratives can be derived from the word industry. One is that of electronic industry which Steve Jobs was associated with, other is that of Apple Inc that Steve Jobs remained affiliated with for nearly two decades and left it a few months before his demise. Apple Inc itself is an American based electronic devices and Services Company that is the front runner in the digital gadgets. Steve Jobs had a significant role towards the shaping of this industry and the present day existence is a direct gift and hard work of that man himself. Being an American company, it has its outlets and official chains spread across the world in the major cities. The hiccups: Steve jobs journey was not all smooth sails and his professional career did see number of bumps in between. His partnership with Apple Inc saw a twist in the turn when the things did started failing and internal rifts starting creeping in. The strong rivalry against IBM and internal lack of confidence in Steve Jobs led to his exit from the company and leading him to take upon a new path that further strengthened his resolve towards working on his own and exploring the other dimensions of creativity that this man possessed in his mind. The exit from Apple Inc in 1985 was closing of one door and opening of many others. He went out to develop his own brand and started dealing in the softwares under the banner of NeXT. However NeXT Inc failed in its attempt of coming up as a rival operating system to that of Apple’s and for this reason the investments and ideas surfed into the new operating system never succeeded. The resurrection: In 1997 the ties between Steve Jobs and Apple Inc grew better and the ice eventually melted. He was asked to join the parent company once more and this time he served as the CEO of the company that had seen heights of success through his innovative ideas. The genius still had plenty more in his mind and bag and he went on to introduce I Pod, I Pad Apple phone series and many more items that Apple Inc. might not had been able to produce with the geniuses of this individual. He gave the company the necessary push force that it needed after the vacuum had been created in the post Steve Jobs era. His innovative ideas and long term business plains did not know any limits and he from there on went on to develop an animation company that we presently know as the Pixar Animation Company Studios. At present the mega banner names of animated movies all come in the fold of Pixar Animation Company and their special effects are specially orchestrated by Pixar. The Shrek series, Incredible Hulk are few of the many super hits and gifts that the world has seen and are all brainchild of the man himself. How the activities of this entrepreneur changed the historical and social environment: Though his inventions were in the field of electronic industry, yet they had a direct impact on the social and historical perspective. For the first time under his guidance the world of computer saw colored screens. Much more was in bag and was to be brought about to market in times to come. He gave the concept of touch screens discarding the key pad enabled mobile phones and their typing interface. He made the mobiles sleeker, faster and attractive in their outlook. He gave the usage of mobile phone a total new dimension with regard to their usage. Apple 3.0 was the first of its kind that totally revamped the usage of mobile phones and set precedence for fast and hard competition between rivals and gave the clients of mobile phone a totally new idea. This was followed with the introduction of Apple 3s, Apple 4 and 4S. the introduction of Apple 5 is a work after his demise but most of the features and functions are the works of that genius who set the foundations for this mobile phone to rule the world of cellular phone networks across the world. On economic domain, his inventions gave impetus to the mobile phone industry with bringing about new life in the field of mobile phones, discarding the heavy and thick keypad enabled mobile phones with state of the art touch keypads. The concept of first to market: Steve Jobs valued the famous concept of management “First to market”. Being first to market in terms of the technology introduction, he would sweep the market and capture its clients from its rivals. It would leave a precedence of being completely unique, innovative, always striving to bring about ideas. His ideas were not just friendly towards profits and financial gains, but also helpful in the context of keeping the customers loyal to the company and brand. His life and overall experience of 20 years plus in the field of electronic industry was not just about innovation. It entailed the good management skills a top leader would require. It was based on this fact that he went on to become the CEO of the incumbent organization (Apple Inc). it is needless to say that it was not just the feature of innovation that earned him this rank, rather it was the ability to handle situations, bring about the best out of the employees, create the power and ability to think out of the box, adopt the means that would make the company as the number one brand and the go to brand in the eyes of customers along with the factor of making strong relationships with the supply chain members and other stakeholders who are involved in the digital world of electronics in the 21st century where everything is handled on the pattern of global human resource management basis. It can be safely said that it was him who added the touch of color, crisp, creativity, brightness and spark to the electronic devices and as a result gave a totally new direction to the field of electronic and gadgets. Areas of specialization: His areas of specialization entail multiple functions and multiple components. He did not limit himself to Operating systems only, he went on to produce mobile phones, and later came up with the idea of tablet and other handheld applications and devices. Steve jobs had quit the post of CEO due to personal health problems. He suffered from pancreatic cancer and was under treatment in the last few years of his life. Since his well being was directly associated with the performance of the company he and his think tank team kept this illness from the public ears and stakeholders for quite some time. Initially he fought against it with complete valor and courage for couple of years and Like a strong man who had fought in the professional field against numerous odds that came up in his career, he fought the pancreatic cancer to the end but the light of life went down upon him in the year 2011 October 5th. Impact of your subject: The impact of the subject is the fact that one can derive many positives from the life and overall journey of Steve Jobs. He rightly stands as an epitome for all those who may want to think out of the box and produce something based on their talents and abilities. The life and struggle of Steve jobs is a lesson not only for the youth but the grownups. The manner in which he took upon the challenges he was confronted with along with the other obstacles he faced in his private life serve as the best example of how challenges can be mitigated. His life is a role model for all the managers and other business enterprises holders who aim to stand above the competitors. Through the following of Steve Job’s policies and actions such as innovation, the individuals can gain benefits in the professional, financial and other fields. Conclusion: It wouldn’t be wrong to say that once a giant room sized computer and now a hand held device that is multiple times more potent and more faster owes it to a very few individuals and without any doubt Steve Jobs is at the top of the list amongst all those who have changed the entire concept of digital devices and gadgets. The death of such a genius has led to a vacuum creation in terms of innovation in the field of electronic devices and creative ideas. Its impact would be equally felt by the company of his affiliation- Apple Inc. The future generation and the contemporary world can take a lesson of never undeterred hard work, fighting against all the odds and having a self believe. These are the few basic words that define the man and the reasons behind his success. References: Imbimbo, Anthony. Steve Jobs: The Brilliant Mind Behind Apple. Gareth Stevens, 2009. Jones, Gareth J. and Mary Mathew. Organizational Theory, Design, And Change, 5/E. Pearson Education, 2008. Shea, Therese. Steve Jobs and Apple. The Rosen Publishing Group, 2012. Read More