Filed under: Apple Corporate
Steve's OK, everyone relax
Who says Apple doesn't listen? More to the point, who says Steve Jobs isn't aware of the rumors? Earlier today Apple posted a letter from CEO Steve Jobs indicating precisely what has been causing his weight loss (a hormone imbalance, apparently treatable) and why he won't be at the keynote (he's spending time with his family). There's a corresponding statement from the Apple board of directors offering support for Steve and confidence in his continued leadership.
Steve's no dummy. I applaud him taking this time to be with his family, and I'm personally quite happy to hear his weight loss appears to stem from a rather strange but reversible affair. While the keynote will be odd without him, let's hope this puts a little water on the doomsayers out there. Steve's not going anywhere just yet -- so everyone relax this week and enjoy the spectacle at Macworld.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
David Corsi said 9:51AM on 1-05-2009
Read between the lines here folks...
1. "As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008. The reason has been a mystery to me and my doctors."
Jobs and Apple have been saying for a year that it was nothing significant. NOT knowing the cause of mass weight loss IS significant.
2. "A few weeks ago, I decided that getting to the root cause of this and reversing it needed to become my #1 priority."
Obviously it has grown WORSE since you last saw Steve and finally a few weeks ago became important enough that he had to make fixing the problem his #1 priority. Again while I applaud his decision and assume that the doctor's new diagnosis will help cure the problem, this statement doesn't imply the simple, insignificant issues that Apple and Steve tried to portray for the last year.
A persons health care is a private issue, no doubt. However when the person runs a multi-billion dollar publicly traded company it is inappropriate and ILLEGAL to make false statements that could impact stock price, and that included implying a health issue isn't significant when it is now crystal clear it is.
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Rylin said 9:59AM on 1-05-2009
It's neither improper nor illegal.
Apple is basically the only company in the world where the CEO is considered important.
Cut the man some slack and let him enjoy a bit of off time.
Remember when Steve posted from the hospital?
THAT is improper, and the community shouldn't put those kinds of pressure on him.
Sebastian said 10:55AM on 1-05-2009
Rylin:
Shareholders* have put pressure on companies before to provide information about key individuals - it is not limited to CEOs. Also, Apple's CEO is definitely not 'basically the only company in the world where the CEO is considered important' - what on earth gave you that idea?
McDonalds had two of its CEOs die within a 12mth period. However, both CEOs made timely reports indicating the troubles that may lie ahead with respect to their health. The issue with Apple is that the reports they do make could hardly be considered 'timely'.
* You do realise that shareholders have a lot more impact on these sort of issues than 'the community' that you speak of? The difference with Apple is that 'the community' is a lot more interested in the inner workings of the company than most other firms. Some companies would love to have the brand loyalty that Apple has, but it is a double-edged sword - of which I'm sure SJ is perfectly aware.
antiorario said 11:18AM on 1-05-2009
"McDonalds had two of its CEOs die within a 12mth period."
They ate their own food?
(Sorry, I couldn't resist.)
Rylin said 11:45AM on 1-05-2009
@Sebastian: I was probably a bit vague in what I meant.
The CEO of a company shouldn't be involved in the day to day operations of a company.
The CEO is neither the designer, engineer, accountant, analyst or marketing guru for a company.
The CEO is responsible for the vision and culture of a company, as well as making decisions based on what the the other chief officer's need, so long as it's pertinent to the vision and culture.
While it is true that there are few GOOD CEOs out there, they do exist, and every CEO is (should be) replaceable within a matter of months.
I've gone through the process of replacing CEOs in the companies I've worked with, and while it might not be the easiest thing to do, it also rarely effects what the company does, nor what the "grunts" do.
In this case, both the stock market and the community are saying Steve is more than a CEO, and while it's true that he does like to "dabble on the floor" (by means of insulting things that aren't good enough), his primary responsibility is that of CEO, and making sure it is perceived that way.
Take any other company, and replace the CEO.
Yes, there will be a 3-6 month period of shaky stock while the market reacts, but more than anything, the company continues as if nothing's happened.
In that sense, the CEO is not important.
What it boils down to is that Steve is more of a marketing genius/guru/whatever in the eyes of the public.
Traditionally, he's taken the credit for everything and endeared himself to many of us -- I'm not saying it's a bad thing.
Steve is still Apple, but that just means he's important because of the culture and perceived image.
There is no reason (or rather, shouldn't be) he can't be replaced with another competent CEO while still "being Apple".
Have a look at anothe company I'm sure you're familiar with: Digg.
Who is Digg? Digg is Kevin Rose -- fanboy following, poster boy and all.
Is Digg Jay Adelson? No.
What happens to Digg if Kevin leaves, v.s. if Jay leaves?
The fact that Steve is the frontman doesn't mean he has to be the CEO, because really -- public image doesn't have anything to do with who the CEO is.
Yash said 1:37PM on 1-05-2009
You've been posting this exact response on multiple pages David... are you purposefully trying to stir up some trouble?
brad said 10:00AM on 1-05-2009
^ blah blah blah. Steve Jobs has always done what he wants.
Thank god we finally have the real facts. If I never hear another health rumor it'll be too soon.
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Stucco said 10:01AM on 1-05-2009
While I wish him well, and am not panicky about Apple's future, I call BS on this "news".
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marc J said 10:05AM on 1-05-2009
"The human pancreas is an amazing organ with two main functions: [1] to produce pancreatic endocrine hormones (e.g., insulin & glucagon) which help regulate many aspects of our metabolism and [2], to produce pancreatic digestive enzymes."
There you go. Suggesting a by-product of his previous illness.
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David said 10:11AM on 1-05-2009
I just took a look at Apple's stock price - up almost $10 since the 30th. It's amazing that so many smart people are so reactive when it comes to this poor guy's health. Can you imagine having that pressure along with trying to foster innovation and lead a Fortune 500 company? It's not like Apple suddenly has a labotomy and becomes a crappy company ... they have an amazing amount of talent there that is independent of Steve Jobs! I have to give Mr. Jobs a lot of credit.
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Andre said 10:14AM on 1-05-2009
So basically, he is admitting there is something wrong with his health. This doesn't sound like any kind of certainty to me: "my doctors think they have found the cause".
I think he has been advised to admit something so no coverup can be claimed later. By using words like "might", that covers him for whatever.
This is basically a letter admitting he is unhealthy, and says nothing concrete that he will get better. It seems the spin is working for some people though.
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Andre said 10:20AM on 1-05-2009
Apple's Board of Directors has also made a statement:
"CUPERTINO, Calif., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- It is widely recognized both inside and outside of Apple that Steve Jobs is one of the most talented and effective CEOs in the world.
As we have said before, if there ever comes a day when Steve wants to retire or for other reasons cannot continue to fulfill his duties as Apple's CEO, you will know it.
Apple is very lucky to have Steve as its leader and CEO, and he deserves our complete and unwavering support during his recuperation. He most certainly has that from Apple and its Board.
(C) 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Apple
For further information: Press Contact, Steve Dowling of Apple, +1-408-974-1896, dowling@apple.com
© PR Newswire"
---
I see nothing in either Steve's letter or the Board's statement that Steve is actually OK and that we should relax.
Le Big Mac said 10:21AM on 1-05-2009
I don't see the "spin" you see. Yes, he has a health issue. But that health issue is, if we believe him, easily treated/cured.
By your logic, if he broke his arm, he would be "spinning" his health issue by telling us he's getting a cast.
SpinThis! said 10:59AM on 1-05-2009
Spin? Seriously now. You heard it from the man himself—he's good to go yet and will let us know if that changes.
Apple/Jobs has nothing to gain by covering up if Jobs does actually have a serious health issue—which is far from certain yet. What do people want, a 24/7 status update? Good grief. Of course there's no *guarantee* about Steve's health—there never ever is when it comes to healthcare. I can take a shit in a box and mark it guaranteed if that's what you're asking for.
Making everyone go through a "we think we know what it is.... oh wait, it might be something else" isn't something Wallstreet needs to know either. We can all try to play Dr. House here—and I'm sure most of us are not even doctors—but without knowing anything else and are privy to Jobs' case and diagnosis, all we're doing is rumor mongering.
Jon said 11:10AM on 1-05-2009
"Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis. "
So it IS confirmed.
jthollister said 12:15PM on 1-05-2009
You pieces of shit! Leave the poor guy alone! Geez, when I read this I thought people would actually shut up about it for a while, but apparently there are still idiots like you who have absolutely no respect for anything whatsoever. It's a disgrace to share a planet with some of you.
Drew said 10:20AM on 1-05-2009
I hate to be pessimistic but my feeling is this release is a calculated move following pressure by the Apple board. It would certainly make sense, ensuring share prices during the imminent Macworld are unhindered by misgivings over Steve's health.
Given Steve's history of pancreatic cancer, and his desire to spend time with his family it seems a little odd that with all of the resources available to him, his doctors are only just isolating an unexplained hormone imbalance as the cause of months and months of speculation.
My personal, and I underline, personal, feeling is that things may be a little graver. I certainly hope I am proven wrong, and wish Steve a speedy recovery so he can carry on doing what he does best.
I suppose some sympathy should be extended to the way in which Apple have handled the entire affair, given the unprecedented nature of this kind of CEO adulation. It's bonkers!!
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Nonnu said 10:29AM on 1-05-2009
This state of health thing with Steve Jobs is getting to sound a little bit like the state of health of Fidel Castro in Cuba.
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Frank said 10:50AM on 1-05-2009
the thing that's great about these missives from steve is that nobody needs to question whether they actually WERE written by him -- i certainly have no doubt that they are. as someone who's been listening to his speeches for his entire career, and heard stories about his interviews with others, the slightly cool tone and the personal info they grudgingly give are absolutely signs that this is really what's going on. get well, steve. spend time with your family. you've more than earned it.
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webmacster87 said 10:56AM on 1-05-2009
Phil has done a great job before, and he'll do a great job again. He did a spectacular keynote at the Apple Expo in Paris back in 2004 when he demoed Tiger and introduced the iMac G5, which was a very significant announcement. It's still the same Apple that is making the announcement, even if they end up using a different talking head to do it.
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