Bits 'n Pieces

iCon: Steve Jobs
The Greatest second Act in the history of business
Authors: Jeffrey S.Young
William L.Simon
Steve Jobs an adopted child pairs up with the brilliant Steve Woznaik to create the popular personal computer, the APPLE II. The pair become multimillionaires overnight. Jobs subsequently goes on to develop Machintosh. But due to his autocratic style of working and frequent clashes with the executives, he is forced out of the company.

Steve Jobs starts a company called Next, a software company. This company was also a near disaster when Steve Jobs buys Pixar, the animation company started by George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars. Soon, Pixar along with Disney produce blockbusters like Toy Story, Finding Nemo. Pixar acts a face saver for Steve Jobs. He becomes a billionaire after Pixar went public.

At the same time, Apple was struggling and the new CEO Gill Amelio, was trying hard to change the fortune of the Apple by cutting costs, consolidating products. His search for a operating system takes him to Steve Jobs. Gill Amelio buys the company Next giving Steve Jobs a share in Apple and also a position of R&D head. Steve Jobs starts playing the boardroom politics which leads to the ouster of Gill Amelio. Steve Jobs takes over the company reins. Soon Apple unleashes its new product line of computers which results into revenue and profit for Apple. Apple hits Jackpot with its entry into the music industry. Apple's trump card the Ipod forms a major chunk of revenue for Apple.

The authors have given a full picture of Steve Jobs. It provides insights into the personal and the professional life of Steve Jobs and also the company Apple. In the first half of the book the authors have wrote about the shortcomings of Apple chief and in the second half they have shown him as a genius. I found the book quite captivating. As far as Steve Jobs is concerned i neither liked him nor hated him.

Labels: Books