Jobs: A man on a mission

KRIS GOPALAKRISHNAN
Executive co-chairman, Infosys

First and foremost, this is a great loss to the technology industry and the consumer industry at large. Steve Jobs upset conventional models when he created computers for consumers who, in turn, introduced these devices in companies and forced them to accept the products. It all started with Jobs believing that computing had to become personal to enhance productivity. Right from the Macintosh days, Jobs set about personally inspecting designs of user interfaces and making them easy to use. He never stopped innovating in these areas.

Jobs created a new category of products. Take, for instance, the case of MP3 players. This was a generic category. When Jobs introduced the iPod with its easy-to-use interface (UI), he created an amazingly new product. His genius not on lay in creating this product but also making it simple to buy music through online applications. This combination proved lethal in the marketplace. He, then, moved on the bringing the iPhone to market, and again created a product with the touch UI that increased sales manifold. Last, but not the least, is the introduction of the iPad which was a roaring success.

Jobs' genius was that he recognised how to market a product and create a buzz around it. He was one of the few people in the industry who during his first stint at Apple was ousted for being out of touch. But he went on to create Pixar and revolutionised the animation world. He returned to Apple and made it what it is today—the world's second-most valuable company. Till his death, he was a man on a mission and transformed the company.

There are lessons to be learnt from a management perspective, too —that if you truly believe in your vision, you should take calculated risks and be able to persist and deliver the goods. It's not only important to think out of the box but also create new boxes like Jobs did. At Infosys, innovation is a given and Jobs personified innovation and execution.

He always paid attention to details and took active part in designing the products. Apple Inc should not have a problem for the next two-three years. If at all, Jobs’ loss may be felt when introducing the next generation of products.

(As told to Leslie D’Monte)