iCon Steve Jobs The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business

NickK

NickK

NickK

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As my broadband was out today I finished reading two books I started earlier. Ok so this is not hardware but hardware of a different type :D

An interesting biography of Steve Jobs and will shock you a little perhaps. It's interesting to read about his approach to business.
Just before that, earlier today, I was reading Richard Branson's autobiography "Screw it, let's do it". Perhaps less factual about his approach in the boardroom it's interesting to compare and contrast their two different styles that stem from their early childhoods.

I think next I'll read "Inside Steve's Brain" next.
 
I took that book with me on honeymoon (iCon).

It paints the picture that he essentially got lucky (e.g. when that hardware guy gave him $25,000 backing because he refused to leave the shop until he did :D) and that he was surrounded by men who did all the legwork. Not to say he wasn't shrewd.. the deals he negotiated were obviously what got them the business, but without Woz he would have never really got off the ground.

I'd be interested to read a more up to date version as iCon stops after the launch of the iMac and I think there would be a whole new saga surrounding the iPhone etc
 
I watched "Pirates of Silicon Valley" the other day. It's an old movie about the golden days of Apple vs Microsoft in the great OS race. Imagine the documentary "Triumph of the Nerds" but in movie fashion.

I was quite shocked at the portrayal of Mr Jobs. Not the nice guy at all.

Highly recommended watching btw.
 
REDD555 said:
I was quite shocked at the portrayal of Mr Jobs. Not the nice guy at all.
Click to expand...

In iCon it's interesting to see how, as he's turned 50 and with a family, even he admits he's changed a lot - surprising many with the maturity that's come bout.
He was probably rather stressed too considering there's a large portion of his time he's spent effectively ****ing his own money down the drain whilst being frustrated that people were quite happy to spend it but not make any.
 
I'm sure. If he wasn't mature by 50 then really, there was no chance.

I was more interested in his apparent lack of acknowledgement of his own daughter. His random sackings of people that got Apple (and him) where they had gotten to and the total lack of respect for the creative minds that made Apple software and products what they were pre-Macintosh days.

Good old Woz got a good portrayal mind you. Giving some of his shares away to the people that helped them on their way and generally being the "conscience" of Apple that Steve Jobs so lacked.

Visionary? Of course. Driven? Absolutely. Would I want him as my boss? Hell no! ;)
 
I think once you get to that level of money you become very isolated. One (ie self) becomes very much the only thing you trust and can rely on.

It's interesting that he approached his friends in the same cut throat manner. It's also interesting that he could not sustain a duality of separate business and friends spheres. Perhaps he left that to his wife, instead focusing to bring the bread home.

I was also puzzled over his reaction about his first daughter.

I liked the Silicon Valley term "---- you money" which means you are no longer reliant on others to get things done.

I'd have a read of Richard Branson's - almost the opposite but with the same drive.
 
The Richard Branson book I've read was "Screw it, let's do it". An autobiography but involving and interesting.

It shows Virgin's 'fun' comes from Branson's drive to have fun (business=fun too) and let the money come from there.
 
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