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Isaacson Says Only 2 People Can Replace Steve Jobs at Apple
Walter Isaacson, author of the Steve Jobs biography, said it will take two people to truly replace Apple's late CEO.
The VAR Guy
November 29, 2011
2 Min Read
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Walter Isaacson, author of the Steve Jobs biography, said it will take two people to truly replace Apple’s late CEO. Isaacson’s first pick is an obvious one: Tim Cook, the man who ultimately succeeded Jobs as Apple CEO. But while Cook is the business side of Jobs’ brain, Apple still needs the artistic side of Jobs. That role falls to Apple Senior VP of Industrial Design Jonathan “Jony” Ive, Isaacson said. The VAR Guy isn’t surprised. Here’s why.In a recent interview with the New York Times, Isaacson said about Jobs:
“He can’t be replaced by one person, but two people can replace him. Tim Cook is the business side of Steve’s brain. He’s meticulous, scientific and business-like. Jony Ive is the artistic, emotional, romantic side of Steve. The two of them together are an incredible team that will hold together very well.”
Familiar Theme
Hmmm… Rewind to January 2011. At that time, The VAR Guy’s contributing blogger David Courbanou speculated about Apple without Steve Jobs. Courbanou offered a close look at both Cook and Ive at the time, stating:
“Jonathan Ive has been Apple’s principal designer since 1997, when Jobs anointed him the title. He’s responsible for the never-ending beautiful industrial designs we’ve seen Apple create, like the iPhone, the new MacBook Air line and nearly every other device Apple puts to market. His name is frequently next to Steven P. Jobs on many Apple patents.
Cook and Ive are a team that could continue Apple’s commanding presence should Jobs no longer hold the CEO position. What’s more, Jobs’ success story will leave a lasting legacy of how Apple should be run. His thought processes, corporate culture and decision-making are indelible to everyone, even Apple-outsiders. Anyone who assumes the CEO position in his footsteps most definitely will be asking, “What Would Jobs Do?” “
Apparently, Courbanou had a feel for Apple’s leadership strategy long before Jobs stepped down as CEO. Together, Isaacson seemed to indicate to The Times, Cook and Ive give Apple its best chance at making yet another small dent in the universe.
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