Comments on: How Much Longer Will Steve Jobs Be Apple’s CEO?

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:48:40 +0000

The most important part of Steve Jobs is not his extraordinary executive abilities for operations because that’s not really what he’s good at. What Jobs excels at more than anyone else in the public eye is the constant and relentless re-invention of the standards of excellence. He can no more conceive of delivering a “me-too” product than he can breath water. You may not agree with all the decisions contained therein, but if a product does not materially advance the notion of what it means to be that product, it doesn’t get done. He doesn’t drive people to work hard, he drives people to innovate from a depth they did not know they could reach. He has “the vision thing” better than anyone else running a large company today and he has the unrelenting drive to push his company forward. That is why Apple is what it is, and that is the challenge of replacing Steve Jobs.

By: ILuvOS9

ILuvOS9 — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:51:57 +0000

Steve Jobs is the face of Apple. Yup. Can the entire executive team continue to effectively run Apple? Yup. Could only on them fill Jobs’ shows? NO WAY. It would take all of them.

Other than that, I think the analysis about jobs being around for 5+ years makes most sense.

By: Smithton

Smithton — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:49:32 +0000

I just need Apple to hang in there for 25 years — until I retire, so that I can be supplied with Apple computers for the rest of my working life. Then, after that, they can go and do what they want.

However, as I get older, and my eyesight declines, I want back those matte screens on the iMac and MacBook Pro. This darn glare is a real pain in the. I have a low tolerance level for glare. Some of you evidently can tolerate it, but I can’t. So I’m forced to make my current white imac and MacBook Pro last as long as possible.

By: T B

T B — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:22:44 +0000

i think you are wrong alonzo 2009 will be the recovery year after a very tuff aconomy slow down 2010 will be a great year for him he will not step down then he is to smart to do so it will hurt the company …. he is to good of a leader he will stay 5 more years so i say 2015

By: Alonzo

Alonzo — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:29:40 +0000

mark my words…. He’s gone by end of 2010.

By: Christina

Christina — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:24:59 +0000

I think Jobs isn’t going anywhere for the timebeing, and I think that, as investors and fanboys (and girls), we will be given ample warning from Apple and the board.

As for a replacement….The quality Steve has that will be hardest to replace is his unconventional leadership skills and ability to inspire people working for and with him, to push themselves to be their very best.

By: Aviv

Aviv — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:22:39 +0000

No, I think it’s entirely within your right. He’d be 63 by then, and might be perfectly healthy while still running the company. As long as he’s not doing it because his management team can’t do it without him. Retiring gracefully is not a common practice in Silicon Valley, and I’d hate to see Steve follow the trend. He deserves to gracefully step down, when he chooses the time is right.

in my opinion

By: jojo22

jojo22 — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:18:34 +0000

I definitely think we’ll see him ride out the recession this country is in. At least two more years.

By: 10moreyears

10moreyears — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:11:45 +0000

So, is it selfish to hope for ten more years?

By: Chazz

Chazz — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:09:36 +0000

I’m gonna have to go with Jonny Ive on this one. While I’m Sure Tim Cook will still hold down the fort, Ive just has that special something…oh…what’s it called…”charisma”.