by nick on January 18, 2009
My business hero list is short but distinguished. Toward the top – probably at the pinnacle – sit Ron Dennis of McLaren and Steve Jobs of Apple.
These guys have proven themselves entrepreneurs, figureheads, statesmen, leaders and visionaries. Their products embody people’s emotions. Both are bowing out of their current roles: SJ to hopefully improve his health; RD to look after the bigger picture at McLaren Group. SJ is planning to return in June, RD is an always-listening ear to call on.
Game-changers like this pair don’t need my luck but I certainly wish it.
“The real leader has no need to lead – he is content to point the way.” Henry Miller
by nick on November 19, 2008
Apple’s frustrations have been well documented over the summer: the MobileMe fiasco, the debacle over the iPhone launch/sign up, patches for freezing MacBook Airs and several other dents in the pristine name of all things Jobs.
But they really do come up with some gems. Charlie Anzman points us to Apple’s Corporate Gifting and Rewards Program.
This will make your company’s pen, mouse mat and umbrella trio look like impulse buys at Aldi. Yes it’s your logo on a lovely gift (who wouldn’t like an iPhone as a thank you) but when you can add your ‘training talks, product overviews, CEO speeches, promotional videos, or other custom content’ it becomes an even more powerful and relevant message.
by nick on November 15, 2008
I’m sure you’ve heard the world economy is broken. With so much reporting of the negative it’s easy to obliterate the positives. Here’s a couple of diamonds in the rough for you though:
- Apple finished their fiscal fourth quarter (to 27th Sept) with sales up 35%. All the numbers have gone north which is amazing for a hardware business. 3G iPhone sales are astonishing at 6.9 million for the quarter (more than the first gen did in a year!).
There’s an even bigger cherry on the Jobs’ cake with $24.5 billion in the bank (up nearly 60% on last year) and no debt. When staring at a more-than-possible downturn their rivals must feel it’s an unfair advantage.
- The world’s largest retail park opened this month in, of course, Dubai. With almost 600 retailers trading, the ‘Mall’ is operating at just half capacity.
