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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Being a Tech CEO Means Having to Say You're Sorry

Apologizing seen as key skill in Silicon Valley

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(Newser) – Saying "sorry" has become a necessary skill for tech execs, Forbes reports—from AMD's CEO, who apologized yesterday for delaying its latest chip launch, to Facebook's founder, who begged forgiveness after an advertising program violated users' privacy. The frequency of technology leaders' public contrition testifies to the power of the Internet to amplify consumer discontent—and force companies to listen.

PR experts rate Facebook and Apple leaders high for "sorry" skills. Steve Jobs won points for a quick fix after slashing the iPhone's price within two months of the $600 release. They gave thumbs down, though, to Yahoo's CEO for his reluctant apology after his company released email records that helped the Chinese government send a journalist to jail.

Facebook CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg speaks to press and advertising partners at a Facebook announcement in New York in this November 6, 2007 file photo. The online hangout planned to begin mining friends' buying habits, and other major Internet portals have bought companies to expand their reach and capabilities...
Facebook CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg speaks to press and advertising partners at a Facebook announcement in New York in this November 6, 2007 file photo. The online hangout planned to begin mining...   (Associated Press)
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. CEO Hector Ruiz talks during his keynote at Oracle Open World conference in San Francisco, Monday, Nov. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. CEO Hector Ruiz talks during his keynote at Oracle Open World conference in San Francisco, Monday, Nov. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)   (Associated Press)
Facebook CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg speaks to press after he announced Facebook's new product for advertising partners in New York, Monday, November 6, 2007. The online hangout had just announced its plans to let companies target their advertisements on the site based on what its users and their friends...
Facebook CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg speaks to press after he announced Facebook's new product for advertising partners in New York, Monday, November 6, 2007. The online hangout had just announced...   (Associated Press)
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