Tim Cook, the COO of Apple and one of Steve Jobs’ right hand men, recently spoke at a Goldman Sachs technology conference. I haven’t had a chance to listen to the webcast yet, but over at The Business Insider, How Apple Keeps Its Laser-Sharp Focus quotes Cook and shines the light on how Apple maintains its innovative edge and continues to make more money doing less stuff. Excellent read.
My take: Steve or Tim should write a book titled “The Power of No”.
Seriously, it’s really important to be able to define and articulate what you’re not. What’s Microsoft not? At this point, what’s Google not? There’s really not a clear idea of what they stand for or are trying to accomplish other than be huge and dominate everything.
Apple’s not a generic computer manufacturer. Apple’s not a company that focuses on technology for technology’s sake. Apple doesn’t release low-end stuff that cuts corners to save costs. Apple doesn’t suck up to some business process fad or IT dictatorship and cripple their ability to innovate.
It’s important to know what you’re not so you can focus on what you are. Kudos to the Apple management team for understanding that important principle.