Moving beyond individuality
So this would be my first post, how to make it count. mmmmmmmm…
Well to borrow with pride and to give my perspective I have decided to captilise on the buzz of the iPad launch.
Lets start with a quote from the “captain” himself
“If you annualize our quarterly revenue, it’s surprising that Apple is now a $50+ billion company,” . “The new products we are planning to release this year are very strong, starting this week with a major new product that we’re really excited about.” – Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO
On the 25 Jan 2010 Apple announced financial results for its fiscal 2010 first quarter. In short, the highest quarterly revenue and profit to date, this on the dawn (metaphorically speaking) of the new product launch scheduled for the 27 Jan 2010- the iPad. We have all become very familiar with the globally anticipated keynote addresses by Mr Jobs himself, often used as a platform to validate strategically coordinated “leaks” of new product launches. This has seen the company profitably reinvent four industries (computing, music, movies and mobile telephones) with a fifth on the cards (publishing). CEO of the decade (a crown bestowed upon Mr Jobs by Fortune magazine), check. Just to put this into perspective, this is what the reputable publication had to say ” remaking any one business is a career defining achievement; four is unheard of.” The hidden gem (benefit or traditionally Return on Investment) being a boosting of share prices, gross margins and profit for this listed company, shareholder value ($$$$). Take a look at the financial report if you need tangible evidence, http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2010/01/25results.html?sr=hotnews.rss
So really this is not just about the iPad but so much more ….
Is this a company and a man that I would classify as a Maverick? Yes..Yes and Yes again. What defines a maverick then, well you could start with : impatient, change-minded executives in big companies, senior leaders in smaller entrepreneurial companies, people with big dreams about their future and their careers whom all want to do big things in business by shaking up the status quo and challenging the powers-that-be. Steve Jobs and Apple have certainly done this and have in the process ignited a change revolution. Bold PR statements, no holes barred product development, pristine creativity characterised by minimalistic yet sophisticated design and a culture that promotes spontaneous collaboration are just some of the Maverick qualities that characterise the individual and company (not too sure if you could separate the two). This coupled with the strategically coordinated “leaks” I mentioned earlier has given the UGC (User Generated Content) generation endless “gossip” topics, with every conversation and every free piece of viral marketing chatter – promoting the brand Apple continuously. So how eactly is this done?
I hope to answer this question and many more in my quest to discover how to live individuality and reap the rewards commercially, I invite you to join me on this journey (even if it maybe on different legs of the journey)
I also welcome your thoughts and feedback.
Cheers, Altesh
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