An era of great CEOs has come to an end……for the whole corporate industry

Steve Jobs------------iResign

Steve Jobs arguably the most successful and most dynamic CEO in the corporate history, on August 24, 2011, hung up his shoes as the CEO of Apple Inc. The man who turned Apple into one of the world's most powerful companies stepped down as CEO. Steve Jobs, a great leader, a motivator, an inventor, a designer, all in all a Genius, is the person behind the innovation of iPhone, iPad, and other magical devices, which make Apple Inc. unique. The person who thinks greatness lies in simplicity.

He has not only revolutionized the computer and the smartphone industry but also inspired his competitors to think out of the box. Jobs is an inventor of 313 patents. Of these, he is the lead inventor of 33. Majority of his patents are design patents. Steve has always followed the philosophy of integrating technology with Arts and Humanities for creating digital gadgets. On Jobs' resignation, the WSJ’s principal technology columnist, Walter S. Mossberg very rightly said “Most people are lucky if they can change the world in one important way, but Jobs, in multiple stages of his business career, changed global technology and media in multiple ways on multiple occasions. Jobs, the man with incredible vision and the extraordinary talent, zeal and drive."

Despite, bitter rivalry between Apple and Google in the recent years, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt could not refrain himself from praising Steve Jobs. Eric said in a statement that Jobs “is the most successful CEO in the U.S. of the last 25 years.” He added that Jobs “uniquely combined an artist’s touch and an engineer’s vision to build an extraordinary company, one of the greatest American leaders in history.” Leaders like Steve are born once in a century.

But, after Jobs resignation, Tim Cook the COO of Apple has taken over as CEO of Apple. We all know that Tim Cook is widely regarded as Operational Genius, the person who has been greatly inspired by Jobs and under the able leadership of Jobs has got some part of his DNA.

Still the biggest question looming over Apple and its investors is whether Tim will be able to provide the face for Global brand and identity just like Jobs. Because Jobs has become synonymous to Apple and Apple to Jobs, will Tim be able to create his own fan club as Jobs did? The falling of Apple’s share price by 5.4 % on the day Jobs announced his stepping down is a good enough indicator to show the sentiments of people attached with the great man. Will Tim have the same vision and holistic approach as Jobs? Whenever Tim will launch a new innovative product, he must ask himself “Have I made it large”.

We all know Jobs drove innovation at Apple. Will his departure cause a change in the company's strategy, direction and alter its mentality and mindset? Will this event provide the opportunity to Apple’s competitors they were looking for? These are the questions which still needs to be answered and only time will tell. It will be interesting to witness how Cook starts to put his stamp on the company. But, having said that it’s Jobs himself who has passed the torch to the man he trusted the most, Tim. Tim must always remember what Steve once said to a Stanford graduating class in 2005 “Stay hungry, stay foolish”.

Cook addressed the Apple team as CEO in the email saying

"Team:

I am looking forward to the amazing opportunity of serving as CEO of the most innovative company in the world. Joining Apple was the best decision I’ve ever made and it’s been the privilege of a lifetime to work for Apple and Steve for over 13 years. I share Steve’s optimism for Apple’s bright future.

Steve has been an incredible leader and mentor to me, as well as to the entire executive team and our amazing employees. We are really looking forward to Steve’s ongoing guidance and inspiration as our Chairman.

I want you to be confident that Apple is not going to change. I cherish and celebrate Apple’s unique principles and values. Steve built a company and culture that is unlike any other in the world and we are going to stay true to that—it is in our DNA. We are going to continue to make the best products in the world that delight our customers and make our employees incredibly proud of what they do.

I love Apple and I am looking forward to diving into my new role. All of the incredible support from the Board, the executive team and many of you has been inspiring. I am confident our best years lie ahead of us and that together we will continue to make Apple the magical place that it is.

Tim"

I hope that under the leadership of Tim and Jobs still as the Chairman of the Board, the Apple continues to innovate and create new dimensions in the field of technology. Let us all be thankful to Steve Jobs for his unparalleled contributions to technology. Steve Jobs has sowed the seeds of innovation and creativity that we'll see in years ahead. I think Jobs is right in saying: Apple's best days lie ahead.