How Apple can benefit from a “Jobs-less” existence

First off, let me say I wish Steve Jobs and his family good health. I never like to write pieces about someone who is not at the top of their game due to a health issue. Get well, Steve, we will miss you.

Now then, on to what the next six months, maybe more, have in store for Apple. Tim Cook seems to be more than qualified to run the day to day operations of a major technology company. When I say day to day operations, I don’t see that as product design, nor when and where to release a product. To me, day to day operations icnludes going over call stats in the call center, reading surveys on the company, talking with other executive management on how many dollars go where…that kind of thing. Items that happen every day.

Steve will still be running the show from afar when it comes to product design approvals, R&D dollars spent, product releases, and so forth. I am of the opinion that Steve should take some time off and not worry about Apple for a while; just spend time with his family. I know if I was concerned enough about my health that I could not go to work everyday, I would want to spend as much time as possible with my family, because whatever is wrong with my health would be pretty serious. I think Steve should step aside completely and give Tim Cook a chance to run with the ball. In six months, if Cook fails, Steve can return to right the ship.

Turning 54 on February 24th, Steve has been one of the most successful businessmen in history. He took something that he and Mr. Wozinak built in a garage and turned it into a multi billion dollar juggernaut called Apple. When I am 54, I will be eyeing retirement, and we all know Steve has enough money to retire. Heck, I doubt anyone in his family needs to work for a couple of generations. I say let Tim take the company for a test drive, and if he is not successful, Steve can come back to find another replacement, not to run the company.

Steve has done things with his company that have changed handheld electronics time and time again. Let’s let him ride off into the sunset.