Fast Talk

To answer my own question, we definitely have to consider the fact that the company's stock fell once the rumor got around that Jobs had a heart attack. Now where the hoax came from who knows, but it seems that once the rumor got out confidence was lost. I've even heard people discussing who within the company would be best to succeed Jobs. Still speculation abounds as to whether it was a planted story, fed to manipulate NASDAQ (the market). The SEC is investigating and most recent reports surfacing reveal that CNN turned over the contributor from their citizen journalism site iReports. Back to my question though. If rumors of ill health could cause Apple stocks to plunge, what would happen if Jobs actually became unable to continue his leadership of the Cupertino-based tech company?

I think Apple would be ok in the short term because all of Jobs' lieutenants have been around long enough to have his vision, understanding of the strategy and drive to make it happen. Long term, in the range of 4-5 years or so, I think it will be increasingly harder for Apple to continue to meet the expectations in the market that Steve has been able to exceed time and time again. For Apple, failure is not what it is to most leading tech companies- a total financial collapse. The bar has been set so high at the company that finishing second in their markets of interest just is not an option anymore. With considerable competition in every market Apple plays in, failure is not winning on innovation, timing, marketing and market share. Without Steve Jobs, Apple could very well lose on all four counts. So yes, Apple would eventually "fail" without Steve Jobs.

Steve Jobs is an amazing visionary and thinker, who knows how to give people what they want and is also capable of leading people to achieve their best. The methods and lifestyle that got him there are unique, and even controversial to many. (Psychedelics, communes, traveling, being a corporate pirate, etc.) If he was not an essential part of the birth of the company then such a company would likely never consider him to join. The point is that some people do not fit the molds of what chairpersons, investors, and traditional business leaders look for. What is important for Apple and other companies to know is that the rule breakers change history. Companies must be willing to look for innovators in new places and accept variations in style in order to give room for creativity to blossom. ...Would Apple fail without Steve Jobs? It did once already, or almost. Became a commodity computer business without any real inertia. The lessons hopefully are learned. I bet that Jobs will have a huge role in training and approving his replacement, and will probably remain as a major influencer of Apple, like a wise grandfather, for as long as he breathes. The culture he has helped to build is one of sustainable development and constant innovation, with secrecy, total design, and cool as essential components. I think the structure of this "Little Kingdom" can be passed down successfully. I have a great deal of respect for Jobs' persistence in life and his prolific intuition with business, technology, and aesthetic. I am on a similar path, and am ready to jump in whenever you need me Apple! :) Christo Corsaut theOrganicMechanic.org

No human lives forever, nor should s/he. If Apple failed simply because Steve Jobs disappeared from its matrix, the company would have been structured wrongly. Perhaps this is why a corporation is an entity unto itself in law, the same as a person.

Nope. They've done too good a job of establishing themselves as a tech icon without him. You think the millions of teenagers who buy iPods, iPhones, and other Apple goods are going to stop once Steve Jobs is gone? Methinks not.Apple without Steve Jobs is sort of comparable to the United States without FDR - sure, a wise and beloved icon will be gone in a trying and tumultuous era, but there are people waiting in the wings to take over and carry on his legacy.

Steve Jobs represents the soul of Apple and the Apple brand. His vision and sense of the future serves the Apple marketing position well. Should he not be the guiding spirit behind the directions and focus of the company, then the corporation may suffer. Keeping Steve engaged in his mission at Apple moves all of our technology-driven culture to a better experience. P.S. I have owned or operated an Apple computing device. However, I must give the man his props! Charles J. Timmins, CPBS Malvern, PA USA

Steve Jobs represents the soul of Apple and the Apple brand. His vision and sense of the future serves the Apple marketing position well. Should he not be the guiding spirit behind the directions and focus of the company, then the corporation may suffer. Keeping Steve engaged in his mission at Apple moves all of our technology-driven culture to a better experience. Charles Timmins

It WAS failing, until he came back.

Sure, why not? Likeliest scenario: At the moment of Jobs's demise, all Apple products everywhere will burst into flame. Similarly, all persons who've purchased any Apple product--even those poor unfortunates who've redeemed iTunes store gift cards--will immolate themselves. Lions will cohabitate with lambs, the sun will set in the east. You get the idea. Mark my words.

To answer this question best you must read Good To Great and realize that he's not a Level 5 leader- just a charismatic Level 4 leader. Amazing company & products, just too tied to one man. A great company falters not for one man.

Steve Jobs is an extraordinary person - a visionary, a good leader and someone who has dedicated himself to creating an organization that consistently delivers a quality product. I am a recent convert to Apple products and now understand why people are so passionate about them. Here is the thing though - while Steve Jobs created and saved Apple - Damien has a point. Also, look at GE, they have been successful through a number of CEOs. If you look at companies that fail - they devalue the culture, fail to consciously develop the next leader/CEO and get away from their mission. It will be sad if Apple and Steve Job's misses the opportunity to consciously develop a successor. Who knows the next person - if selected well - could exceed what Steve has done.