Bill,
I think twice every day.
Hitler was a reluctant bastard child. Germany under the National Socialist German Workers' Party was an example of government running amuck with an inept, lazy, reclusive, self indulgent, narrow minded, petty little dictator.
Steve Jobs bears no resemblance to anyone from that era that I can think of. Bill Gates' Microsoft bears some resemblance to the Nazi party in their business tactics. Power and control have the same attributes in both business and government. Perhaps Gates is the next Hitler of our day. Though I wouldn't call him lazy, reclusive or inept, he could be considered somewhat self absorbed.
I can understand your attitude toward the Jobs train of past actions. I was in computer retail at the time as well. He didn't impress me with his business acumen, but then neither did John Skully. They destroyed the distribution channel then turned it over to the mass merchandisers who destroyed the brand name.
But today I see Jobs as the homeowner returned to the farm after the tornado. He does not see his efforts as financially rewarding but he is going to repair the damage anyway.
Conceptually the Macintosh is a little too good. It empowers the pseudo-intellectual as well as the intellectual. It levels the playing field of information gathering and processing to include common ordinary folk, and that threatens the power brokers.
Apple is coming back, swimming against the current of populist opinion, making headway against overwhelming odds. What Steve has done so far, as you have stated, is to stop the freefall by shoring up the bottom line through expense reduction. That was entirely necessary. IMHO as well, cloning should have been expanded, but profitably. That option was resisted heavily. Steve chose to not give away the technology any further.
The product changes were inevitable, but were being effected too slowly. He has made a successful transition without induced inventory imbalances. He has also transitioned the distribution channel away from the mass merchandisers creating a channel environment that is friendlier to small chains and Mom&Pop stores. I perceive this as a good thing. I should think that you would too. Small stores thrive on repeat business due to their detailed personal service. That induces greater customer loyalty.
His seeming inaction in the spotlight should not be interpreted as acute lethargy. In the course of doing battle with a foe of greater strength, it is imperative not to telegraph ones move. Surprise and agility will win the day. Each battle is not in itself a war. Some battles are lost with the aim of winning the war. [Narrowing of distribution channel, OS licensing issues, reduction of expenses, etc...]
Hitler knew little about war. He only studied battles. He saw his battles as a means to satisfy his greed, and his early successes served only to consume him in the end. Steve's early failures have already been turned to successes. He is out to win the war.
Good hunting,
HerbVic |
