Above Avalon Podcast Episode 150: A Larger Apple Machine

The recent Jony Ive and Jeff Williams news has been met with mixed reactions. In episode 150, we discuss why the leadership changes neither signify a company moving away from design or hardware nor suggest that management is facing some kind of growth crisis. Upon closer examination, the Jony Ive and Jeff Williams news are byproducts of Apple evolving into a much larger design company. Additional topics include the various growth narratives facing Apple, the growing Apple installed base, and the Apple machine.

To listen to episode 150, go here. 

The complete Above Avalon podcast episode archive is available here. 

Apple CEO Succession 101

Daring Fireball’s thoughts on Apple’s CEO succession:  click here.

My thoughts?

Issues like Apple CEO succession show how little people understand Apple. 

This is Apple’s next CEO: Tim Cook

From Apple:

"Cook is responsible for all of the company’s worldwide sales and operations, including end-to-end management of Apple’s supply chain, sales activities, and service and support in all markets and countries. He also heads Apple’s Macintosh division and plays a key role in the continued development of strategic reseller and supplier relationships, ensuring flexibility in response to an increasingly demanding marketplace."

This is Apple’s backup CEO:  Jeff Williams

From Apple: 

"Jeff Williams is Apple’s senior vice president of Operations, reporting to COO Tim Cook. Jeff leads a team of people around the world responsible for end-to-end supply chain management and dedicated to ensuring that Apple products meet the highest standards of quality.

Jeff joined Apple in 1998 as head of worldwide procurement and in 2004 he was named vice president of Operations. In 2007, Jeff played a significant role in Apple’s entry into the mobile phone market with the launch of the iPhone, and he has led worldwide operations for iPod and iPhone since that time.”

I have my reasons supporting this Apple CEO succession hypothesis. Stay tuned to AAPL Orchard for more commentary on this issue in the future. 

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