07/23/2008, 9:35am, EDT
Wednesday, July 23rd
Sources speak on health of Steve Jobs
Anonymous sources have come forward to talk about the health of Apple CEO Steve Jobs, writes the New York Times. In a recent conference call Apple's CFO refused to discuss the state of Jobs, except to call the issue a "a private matter" and say Jobs would stay on as CEO. This has done little to assuage cancer fears however, triggered by an unusually thin physique at the 2008 WWDC keynote. Jobs was treated for pancreatic cancer four years ago, and some have worried that the illness has returned.
The sources quoted by the Times -- who say they cannot be identified because Jobs has not authorized them to speak -- claim the executive had a surgery earlier this year, designed to remedy a problem that was producing the weight loss. Jobs is said to have had nutritional concerns following his original cancer surgery, which could itself have produced low energy and weight loss.
Analysts say that investors are worried about Jobs' condition, as he is not only the public face of Apple but largely credited with the company's financial rebirth, having imposed his influence on many facets. Recent stock slides are, however, said to mainly be connected to a predicted decline in gross margins.
Filed under: Investor, Apple
Other story tags: Steve Jobs
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succession plan?
I would think (hope?) that Jobs/Apple has in place a succession plan. Even if Jobs is 100% healthy, some day he will either retire or otherwise not be running the company. This is the weakness of any organization run by a very strong leader, what does it do when the leader is no longer around.
Jobs-like interface
Hey, maybe if Jobs dies then Billy Gates will copy that too! Only, seeing as how Billy boy tends to not copy things very well he'll probably botch that and continue to live on in not so great state prompting MS to have to run a PR ad campaign telling us that though Billy doesn't run as well as expected, things are getting better and he is still more secure than Jobs was.
leader?
Jobs is not only a leader, he is a visionary who can lead, a fairly rare combination. Unless they can find similar people, put them into place while Jobs is still a functioning "figurehead" - and allow their successes to be made known and drive the company, then Apple will die a sure death when Steve "leaves."
re: leader?
then Apple will die a sure death when Steve "leaves."
oh, bollocks. It's far from 'a sure death'. Apple is on much firmer footing than it was the first time Steve left (was forced out).
The question is whether Steve's replacement is someone who 'gets it' or if another loser like Carly Fiorina is put in charge.
I have confidence that there is no shortage of really bright people in high-tech who are worthy of leading Apple after Steve leaves.
Open Question
What does anyone think of the prospects of Jonny Ives succeeding Jobs? Good idea? Bad idea?
next Apple leader
I like Jonny Ives, but I don't see him taking the reigns when Steve is gone. Although certainly a visionary, Ives is known to be a very private man, and that won't gel well with being front and center in the limelight as the leader of Apple, ESPECIALLY one who succeeds Jobs. those are some monumental shoes to fill!
I've been getting the impression lately that Scott Forstall, who basically ran much of the WWDC keynote this year, may be a contender for the position. I certainly hope it isn't Phil Schiller. Although a bright man, he's just too dumpy and geeky to be a good successor to Jobs. Whoever they get has to have some charisma to keep the company, the public at large and the media energized about Apple. I feel that's almost more important than vision, because one can always surround themselves with visionaries like Ives, et al.
Scott Forstall has some of that charisma, although from watching the keynote, some of his lines felt too forced. Almost like he didn't really believe what he was saying and was putting on an act. I've never felt anything Jobs said was an act. He truly comes across as believing what he's telling us. That's part of what makes him a great leader- confidence.
In any event, I wish the best of health for Jobs, and that he lives a long long time to run Apple. I for one am not looking forward to the day he leaves or passes away.
Re: Open Question
I figure Ives is like Woz... I wouldn't want Woz to run Apple, just like I wouldn't want Jobs to design the next Mac.
Fidel
Jobs is just like El Jefe -- he will be around forever and folks will always curse him
Insolence!
This was even mentioned in an article a while back... The man Jobs is grooming to take over Apple is the No. 2 man. His name... No. 2! No seriously, it's Tim Cook the COO. And the best thing? He's an Auburn University grad. War Eagle!
Here's his info:
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/oct/14cook.html
HOW BOUT THIS
DAVID POGUE!!! That would be great! Anyone else remember his antics on the old MacAddict Disk years ago......