The most common phase it seems, is in describing what he did: "he knew what people wanted before they themselves knew it," or words to that effect. Another way to look at this, is that he recognized technology and components that existed, and was able to refine and redeploy technology in fulfillment of people's needs (expressed and unrealized). (More on this topic in future blog postings.)
After all, in more recent years, the music player pre-existed the iPod, smart phones existed and were in use for 20 years before the launch of the iPhone, and tablet PC's were marketed for many years before the iPad. But he added the pizzazz, as some call it the "sizzle" to the steak, the manifestation of dreams and a vision on how to use them more effectively. He was a master communicator and futurist.
When the Apple Computer was first introduced, we would ask questions in stores as to what could be done with it and how could it be used. These were questions that persisted for many years after that, especially as to why many would want their own personal computer for home use. Frankly, it didn't do much for improving our lives at home at that time because of the lack of programs.
In business, computers allowed the quick computations of complex items and spreadsheets that we had to use in planning and budgeting(as a simple example), so it helped to eliminate the drudgery of recalculating the numbers down and over, and especially if a manager wanted to change a single number or numbers to see the effect, or to "finalize" the budget. Of course, it never seemed to reach this final stage of setting something in stone. There was always one more tweak, or then there were monthly or bi-weekly forecasts against budget, or against re-forecast or the projection. You get the idea.
Jobs' reluctance to open up the source code so that more programs could be written to appeal to larger audiences and uses, restricted the growth of Apple products compared to the MS DOS/PC system, and it's acceptance and use in business. As a result, the Apple Computer never reached more than about 5% market share, it seems. (Presently the new OS systems has about 10% market share.) This caused the early departure of Steve Jobs from Apple, which is referred to in the Commencement speech he made in 2005 at Stanford. The link is below.
There is no question that he was a visionary, a change manager, and an extremely effective leader, because you can't grow businesses to the size he did in the period of time he did, multiple times, without being an excellent leader. We will probably see projects that he initiated over the next several years that are in the incubation phase right now. The question will be sustainability of the company over the long term. Only time will tell.
It is a great loss to American Business, in particular, and to those of us who use these products and appreciate what he has contributed to global societies and employment, as well as enjoyment. However, he realized that we all pass, and others will fill these voids.
The only question is how much larger a contribution could he have made had he been receptive to opening up the source codes and allowing greater access and development around the Apple products? We will never know, but it is a question that begs to be asked!
If you haven't watched the Commencement Address, you should. Just click on the link below.
Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address June 12, 2005:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc
15+ minutes in length ; "stay hungry, stay foolish"Drawing from some of the most pivotal points in his life, Steve Jobs, chief executive officer and co-founder of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, urged graduates to pursue their dreams and see the opportunities in life's setbacks -- including death itself -- at the university's 114th Commencement on June 12, 2005.
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