In the mid 1990s, Apple was in trouble. It had lost its way and was on the brink of bankruptcy. But then something remarkable happened: Steve Jobs, who had been forced out of the company in 1985, was brought back as CEO with a mission to save the company. Through a series of bold moves, Jobs not only saved Apple but also transformed it into one of the world most successful companies.
What led to Steve Jobs’ dismissal from Apple in 1985?
Steve Jobs’ tenure at Apple was the perfect example of a classic “rags to riches” story. The co-founder of Apple had been instrumental in turning the fledgling computer company into an industry leader and in ushering in the digital revolution. But despite Jobs’ brilliance as a leader and innovator, he eventually found his way out of the company after a disagreement between himself and CEO John Sculley. It was felt that Steve Jobs was too brash, stubborn and unwilling to collaborate with key executives, leading to tension between him and the board.
As a result of this tension, several board members felt that removing Steve Jobs from his role in 1985 would be best for both him and Apple’s future. Apple delivered on its promise of improved profitability when Sculley assumed control; yet little could compete with the midas touch that Steve Jobs had brought to the company before his dismissal. Thankfully, 11 years later, jobs would be asked back by Apple’s acting CEO Gil Amelio and go on to create products like the iPod, iPhone, iPad and all other iconic products from the tech giant that have become global sensations.
Saving Apple
Steve Jobs is widely credited for saving Apple from the edge of bankruptcy. In late 1996, Gilbert Amelio was brought in as CEO to turn Apple’s finances around, but it soon became clear he wasn’t up to the task. After much deliberation and research, Amelio ultimately purchased Jobs’ company and welcomed him back as a consultant. This proved to be a wise choice as Jobs soon acquired an alliance with Microsoft Corporation and regained control of the board of directors–promptly replacing Amelio.
Jobs executed an impressive marketing campaign that persuaded people to “think different” and purchase Macintoshes–much needed brand awareness that increased sales significantly. Additionally, Jobs refrained from implementing Windows OS on Macs or setting Apple up as a software-only business; it would later become evident this decision was instrumental in Apple’s rise from bankruptcy and development of groundbreaking products such as the iPod in 2001 and iPhone in 2007.
Reinventing Apple
Steve Jobs was an integral part in the success of Apple’s reinvention during the 21st century. In 2001, Jobs started a revolution by introducing two key products into the market; iTunes Computer Program for playing music, iPod for portable Mp3 players. This laid the foundation for what came next and allowed Apple to pave the way in creating digital products.
Three years later in 2003, Apple began selling songs from major record companies over it’s online iTunes store. By 2006 over one billion songs had been sold through this platform – making iTunes one of the most popular online stores at the time. In recognition of this shift away from traditional computing products, Jobs changed Apple’s name to Apple Inc which was a reflection on its modern market. This all helped firmly establish Apple as a household name with iPhones later released in 2007 and leading to their immense success today.
The legacy
Steve Jobs’s role in the revival of Apple is undeniable, as he was an instrumental part of the company’s climb to become a leader in technology and innovation. Although there were some missteps during his tenure, such as MobileMe’s public failure and financial issues like bonus backdating, ultimately Steve Jobs left behind an invaluable legacy at Apple. Furthermore, despite controversies including questions about Apple’s environmental record and Antenna gate during his time at the helm of high-tech giant, there is no doubt that Jobs was the best man for the job.
Under Jobs’ leadership the company saw its first decade of unprecedented growth with wildly successful products such as iMacs, iPhones and iPads being released one after another. His innate skill in design and product development transformed Apple from a floundering computer business into one of the largest market capitalizations in history. In addition to this extensive impact upon users through revolutionary products, he also made strong efforts to help build up Apple’s employee culture, creating a strong team spirit within the organization that still echoes today. Despite some bumpy rides along the way under his guidance, there is no doubt that Steve Jobs’ mark upon technology history will remain indelible.