End of an Era: Steve Jobs Resigns as CEO of Apple

• August 27, 2011
• 6 notes
• #Apple
• #Tech

Steve Jobs stepping down as the CEO of Apple was a big deal the other day. While the consensus now that the dust has settled is that Apple will be fine (if not better than ever), I took some time to write a blog post about it that was published on the Syracuse University Information Space blog and is currently being featured on the homepage of the School of Information Studies website. 

It was a day that Apple fanboys and girls have been dreading since Steve Jobs took a medical leave of absence earlier this year. On Wednesday evening, Twitter exploded asnews broke that Steve Jobs had officially resigned as the CEO of Apple. In a short letter written to the Board of Directors and the entire Apple community, Jobs pointed out that he no longer felt capable of handling the day-to-day task of running one of the world’s most successful companies.

To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community: 

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come. 
I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee. 
As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple. 
I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role. 
I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you. 

Steve

The Future of Apple

However timeless his company and his leadership has been, the notion of “life after Jobs” is one that everyone had to expect. Realistically, the company will continue to move forward and release revolutionary products that set the standard for years to come. Many people have been quick to dismiss Apple’s potential for success without Jobs at the helm. While the company will surely be different going forward, I think that Jobs’ departure says more about just how successful it will continue to be. So, what will actually change at Apple? Well… probably nothing.

Is the New CEO Ready?

Many people fail to realize that Tim Cook, the newly appointed CEO of Apple, has actually been running the company for some time now. While Jobs has been involved in major decisions, Cook has been leading the company successfully. With plans for an entirely new corporate campus, a new retail store opening every week and Apple having it’s most profitable and successful year ever, now is as good a time as ever for Steve to step back and trust in his leadership team. It’s no secret that his health is failing; Instead of prying into his personal life as some are quick to do, I’ll just say that this will hopefully give him the time he needs to focus on his health.

Jobs’ New Job

Steve Jobs assumes his new role as part of a corporate succession plan that has been in the works for many years. As the Chairman of the Board and Director of Apple, his influence remains the same. In a company veiled in secrecy, Apple’s future is set at this point. While everyone is salivating over blurry pictures of the possible iPhone 5, the team at Apple are probably working hard on iPhone 6 and iPhone 7- as well as Macs that will continue to get thinner, lighter and more powerful. Whatever his title may be, Apple is clearly headed on a path that Jobs and his team have set.

Wednesday’s surprising events made a statement much larger than Job’s resignation. Within seconds, Twitter erupted and the story generated enough trending topics to give even Justin Bieber a run for his money. Simply put, it’s important to remember that Jobs may have resigned, but the billions of passionate people that use the technology and products that he has dreamed up have not.