WIRED 1997: "101 ways to save Apple"(wired.com)
wired.com
WIRED 1997: "101 ways to save Apple"
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/5.06/apple.html?apple
6 comments
The advice in this column doesn't seem so bad.
Looks to me like Apple has taken some of these tips, partially taken others, and taken others farther than James Daly even suggested.
3. Start pampering independent software vendors: Taken -- what could be more pampering than switching the underlying OS to one programmers like?
7. Don't disappear from the retail chains: Taken farther -- They certainly have a retail presence now, with the opening of Apple stores.
8. Buy a song: Taken farther
10. Get a great image campaign: Taken
12. Build a fire under your ad agency: Taken
15. Dump (or outsource) the Newton, eMate, digital cameras, and scanners: Taken
18. Stop being buttoned-down corporate: Taken
25. Portables, portables, portables: Taken farther
34. Port the OS to the Intel platform: Taken
50. Give Steve Jobs as much authority as he wants in new product development: Taken
That's just the most obvious ones (to me) from the first 50. I bet other people here could note more of them. Point is, though, many of these tips were beneficial.
And finally he makes a prediction:
101. Don't worry. You'll survive. It's Netscape we should really worry about.
Looks to me like Apple has taken some of these tips, partially taken others, and taken others farther than James Daly even suggested.
3. Start pampering independent software vendors: Taken -- what could be more pampering than switching the underlying OS to one programmers like?
7. Don't disappear from the retail chains: Taken farther -- They certainly have a retail presence now, with the opening of Apple stores.
8. Buy a song: Taken farther
10. Get a great image campaign: Taken
12. Build a fire under your ad agency: Taken
15. Dump (or outsource) the Newton, eMate, digital cameras, and scanners: Taken
18. Stop being buttoned-down corporate: Taken
25. Portables, portables, portables: Taken farther
34. Port the OS to the Intel platform: Taken
50. Give Steve Jobs as much authority as he wants in new product development: Taken
That's just the most obvious ones (to me) from the first 50. I bet other people here could note more of them. Point is, though, many of these tips were beneficial.
And finally he makes a prediction:
101. Don't worry. You'll survive. It's Netscape we should really worry about.
Well, out of 101 tips, I'd hope a few of them hit the mark. :) IMHO, the best one was this:
14. Do something creative with the design of the box and separate yourselves from the pack. The original Macs stood out because of their innovative look. Repeat that.
Steve Jobs got the authority and the designs are great. That's why I've got an iPhone in my pocket and a MacBook Pro in front of me.
14. Do something creative with the design of the box and separate yourselves from the pack. The original Macs stood out because of their innovative look. Repeat that.
Steve Jobs got the authority and the designs are great. That's why I've got an iPhone in my pocket and a MacBook Pro in front of me.
Yes, but what about:
1. Admit it. You're out of the hardware game. 2. License the Apple name/technology to appliance manufacturers and build GUIs
A lot of the stuff is generic advice too
1. Admit it. You're out of the hardware game. 2. License the Apple name/technology to appliance manufacturers and build GUIs
A lot of the stuff is generic advice too
I can remember thinking back then that Apple ought to get out of the hardware business. It might in fact have been the right move under any other CEO than Steve Jobs. He has beaten the Japanese at music players. How many other American CEOs could have done that?
10 years later conclusion: listen to the "experts" but only follow your instinct.
For example:
James Daly: F