Steve Jobs and Apple: The One Who Changed the World - Essay Example

Module Inspiration augments and nurtures peoples’ desire to excel, and varies for each individual. Inspiration can exist in the formof a historic figure, an iconic celebrity, an innovative creator or an ingenious creation itself. I too, have always been inspired by one the most well known and creative minds that have made their influence felt on the face of the earth, Steve Jobs. As required, the first half of the essay will focus primarily on all things Steve Jobs; the innovations, the attitude, the undying thirst for excellence and the sheer resilience of the man to overcome cumbersome circumstances; of emotional and professional nature, alike. While the later part will indicate how his life influenced mine in particular. Steve Jobs, the man and the innovator, was of a very buoyant character. Upon research, we realize that Job’s life was like a roller coaster ride in most meanings. He started out as a college dropout, who did not have the financial means to support education, worked his way up and became immortal. Baig and Aamir (2013) encapsulate Jobs’ desire, motivation and also his diligence, to rise from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of corporate success, in the following words, ‘In 1976, before Co-founding Apple Inc., Steve Job’s worked at Atari.’ He teamed up with his friend Steve Wozniak to establish the company that went on to be named Apple Computer. Apple computers, an essential part of many peoples' lives today; was initially an idea conceived in Jobs' garage. Having fallen out with his first financier, Jobs was forced to seek capital elsewhere. Following the success of Apple II in 1977, Wozniak left the project to go back to university while Jobs was fired by Scully (CEO at the time) from the company he had created from scratch Exploring alternatives every time he met a dead end, Jobs never let his circumstances hinder his ambitions. He was fired from his own company yet evolved as per the requirements and founded the production house which gave us the block buster Toy Story trilogy. "While Jobs was away from Apple, he founded NeXT Computer and developed Pixar out of the Computer Graphics." (Webster, 2013) Not only did Jobs completely revolutionize the world's perspective on household use of technology, but also made it much simpler and user friendly. This view is endorsed by Aziz (2013) as he states, ‘His vision for the next generation computer was so far ahead that it was mind boggling for everyone.’ There was a time when, in order to use a computer, you had to be a computer genius; not anymore.Jobs’ Graphical User Interface made sure that folders looked like folders and files like files, making computers viable for people other than brain surgeons and rocket scientists, with no need of coding knowledge (Webster, 2013). This transition of computers, from being a novelty, exclusive only to the smartest minds, was truly the hallmark of Jobs’ innovation. Who else better to personify his yearning for change, transition and the evolution of technology, than Jobs himself. As he’s cited by Anderson (2011), “Here’s to the crazy ones, the rebels, the troublemakers, the ones who see things differently. While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” After 1991 Microsoft's Windows was rising fast while Apple went into decline as managerial politics caused disturbances. ‘Jobs was invited back to Apple when the company was in trouble having lost huge market shares roughly from 12 per cent of PC use in countries where Macs were available, to fewer than 3 per cent.’ (Webster, 2013). Although Jobs was reluctant at first, he accepted the offer under certain conditions and went on to make Apple an example of glowing success as we see it today. Spinelli Jr. (2011) summarizes Jobs’ second-coming in the following words, ‘He knew how to think constructively about hardware and software, beautiful design and great function, the new ways to provide services through Apple’s products --a seamless business model that was the envy of a sleepy corporate world. It all came together at Apple under Jobs.’ Such was the persistence and unwavering focus of the legend, leader and innovator that was Steve Jobs. But the question is, what can an aspiring business and sports management student, learn from his character. Although our fields are proverbial miles apart, his leadership, vision and persistence are yet a lot to learn from. What makes me feel relatable to the life story of Steve Jobs is that I, too, have faced failure time and again. After losing my grandmother and only living guardian, to cancer, I struggled with financial problems and had to quit school in the most crucial years of my education. Being home schooled caused me to have lesser opportunities and exposure than others of my age. Earning my way through college, juggling between studies and work made my grades fall further and further with each extra hour I picked up at my workplace. For as long as I can remember, I had dreamed of becoming a doctor and making a lasting difference in this world. Due to my unfortunate circumstances, I could not secure good enough grades in college to qualify for the medicine program; I was heartbroken. Everything I had ever aspired for, everything I worked for day in day out was taken away from me. One day it suddenly dawned upon me, I had always been most inspired by the story of Steve Jobs. I remembered how he worked endlessly to build something only for it to be taken away from him, just like me. This epiphany made me ponder upon whether my aim was as strong and inscrutable as that of Jobs’; the answer was affirmative. I then thought to myself, what would he do if he were faced with a situation like this? And as the figurative light bulb appeared above my head, in that instant I knew I had to find an alternative, the next best thing. So began my journey to major in business. My struggle consisted of endless study hours and sleep deprivation, all to do wonders in my entry test which would get me a scholarship for university. I can’t say I didn’t come close to giving up every now and then but each time I thought I had lost all hope, I remembered who inspired me to struggle on; it all served me well, I got the scholarship. My preeminent goal has been to be a successful entrepreneur and ultimately to sponsor help fighting cancer, the disease that took from me the person I prized most. It will take me two more years to complete my degree, after which I intend to start my professional life. I had started developing a game plan my first year into the degree, that I intend to follow in recent researches and helping groups, as soon as I have completed my graduation. The next three years which are to follow, I hope to work in many different organizations to personally evaluate and plan how I can fulfil my goal. By the end of my tenure with them, I would most likely have enough experience to apply for a foreign scholarship to further my studies which will assist me in reaching my absolute and ultimate goal; another step closer to success. These ambitions although may seem a far cry but wouldn’t it have seemed unrealistic when Steve Jobs once set out to change the face of technology? Everything genius initially seems absurd. Reference List Anderson, K. “Steve Jobs and Apple: The crazy one who changed the world” Firstpost, 2011. Date accessed: December 11, 2013. Aziz, JT. “The evolution of the Apple logo” The Express Tribune, November 28, 2013. Date accessed: December 11, 2013. Baig, K and Aamir S. "Steve Jobs: Touched by genius" The Express Tribune, September 1, 2013. Date accessed: December 12, 2013. SpinelliJr, S. “Steve Jobs’ Lasting Lessons” The Metropolis Blog, October 19, 2011. Date accessed: December 11, 2013. Webster, M. “Apple Watch: Fun, spirited and not intimidating” The New Zealand Herald, December 6, 2013. Date accessed: December 11, 2013. Read More