by Todd Pheifer

Created on: November 17, 2011

Some individuals might suggest that Steve Jobs was the type of innovative pioneer that cannot be replaced, but only followed.  What Jobs meant to Apple is difficult to measure, but now the immense company must learn to live without their visionary leader.  The person taking over is Arthur Levinson, who is tasked with maintaining or expanding the success of Apple.  Can Levinson move Apple forward, or is the organization destined to decline without the leadership of Steve Jobs? 

You aren’t Steve Jobs

One thing that Arthur Levinson will need to remember is that he isn’t Steve Jobs.  Undoubtedly Levinson knows this, but there may still be a desire to be some of the leader that Jobs was to the company.  Granted, Jobs was more than just a corporate head.  Therefore, Levinson may feel some obligation to provide Apple with the same, confident leadership that the customer base has enjoyed for many years.  

Don’t forget the vision

Even though Levinson is not Steve Jobs, he can still work to maintain the vision that Steve created.  It isn’t like Levinson has to daily ask the question, “What would Steve do?” but he can respect the uniqueness of Apple and the ideals that Jobs implemented.  Jobs may be gone, but it is unlikely that his legacy will forgotten in the near future, as many people who worked with him will likely stay around and move Apple forward. 

Hardware, software and what else?

It is obviously difficult to suggest the realms in which Apple may find success in the future.  Will personal computers continue to be popular, or will smartphones and tablets replace desktops and laptops? Will Apple capture more of the Internet marketplace with their iCloud and web-based apps? Can Apple maintain the popularity of devices such as the iPhone and iPad, or will another company soon produce a product that is even more popular? These are questions that Levinson will need to explore, and his decisions will likely shape the future direction of the company. 

Recognize new eras

For Apple to move forward in the future, it must change and adapt with the times.  That is what Steve would have done, and that is what Arthur Levinson must do.  The reality of technology is that the success of Apple is not guaranteed in the future, even though they are doing very well in the present.  Levinson must continue to do what Apple does well, but he must also have an eye to the future so that the company can leverage their customer base and maintain their fiscal success by continuing to provide innovative products and services.   

Sources:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57325375/apple-n ames-arthur-levinson-chairman/

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