By most accounts, Steve Jobs was a douche, but I don't think Apple is better off today.
Debtor - 7 years ago
This question all hangs on your definition of "company".
Will his exit be to the near-term benefit of the shareholders? Almost certainly.
Will his exit be to the benefit of employees? Hard to say. athena's 'culture' has already had some seismic shifts, and I suspect that not having a staunch defender in the corner office will destroy it. Which will probably be good for some employees and bad for others. Presumably in a strategic sale, there will be a good number of redundant employees it will be bad for.
Will his exit be to the benefit of customers? Short run? Probably. Jonathan was often a voice for investing R&D dollars in long-shot bets while ignoring or putting off the technology 'demands' of large clients. Without him in the room, I suspect that the R&D demands of the large clients (and even vocal small clients) will win the day. This is "good" for clients in the short run...but stifles innovation in the long run.
Bushwacker - 7 years ago
Jonathan was often politically incorrect and boorish as well a lightening rod and a showman. Athena will never be worth than it is now. So better without JB - maybe. More valuable - I think not.
Johnnysmooth - 7 years ago
Rarely does it go well for a company when the visionary leader is taken out and replaced with bean counters.
TommyD - 7 years ago
The finance guys will ruin the in place client support system, increase pricing pain and sell off the remnants. As a customer, I am not pleased.
Hermanator - 7 years ago
I’m worried without JB, sole focus will be investor return vs. customers & product development. Although not perfect, JB understood the value of customers.
Bobs your uncle - 7 years ago
I'll miss Micheal J Fox and had so much fun with him at the hissies
By most accounts, Steve Jobs was a douche, but I don't think Apple is better off today.
This question all hangs on your definition of "company".
Will his exit be to the near-term benefit of the shareholders? Almost certainly.
Will his exit be to the benefit of employees? Hard to say. athena's 'culture' has already had some seismic shifts, and I suspect that not having a staunch defender in the corner office will destroy it. Which will probably be good for some employees and bad for others. Presumably in a strategic sale, there will be a good number of redundant employees it will be bad for.
Will his exit be to the benefit of customers? Short run? Probably. Jonathan was often a voice for investing R&D dollars in long-shot bets while ignoring or putting off the technology 'demands' of large clients. Without him in the room, I suspect that the R&D demands of the large clients (and even vocal small clients) will win the day. This is "good" for clients in the short run...but stifles innovation in the long run.
Jonathan was often politically incorrect and boorish as well a lightening rod and a showman. Athena will never be worth than it is now. So better without JB - maybe. More valuable - I think not.
Rarely does it go well for a company when the visionary leader is taken out and replaced with bean counters.
The finance guys will ruin the in place client support system, increase pricing pain and sell off the remnants. As a customer, I am not pleased.
I’m worried without JB, sole focus will be investor return vs. customers & product development. Although not perfect, JB understood the value of customers.
I'll miss Micheal J Fox and had so much fun with him at the hissies