Apple Must Unveil Post-Jobs Plans

With company's fortunes inordinately tied to founder, confidence is at stake

By Jim O'Neill, Newser User

Posted Jan 5, 2009 7:15 AM CST

(Newser) – Apple’s foot-dragging on revealing its succession plan should founder and CEO Steve Jobs die has become a drag on the company, Michael Hiltzik writes in the Los Angeles Times. “A corporate succession plan is like the Soviet Doomsday Machine in Dr Strangelove,” he writes after 2008 saw Apple stock drop 56%. “It’s useless unless you announce it to the world.”

“No American CEO is more intimately identified with his company's success,” Hiltzik writes with the annual Macworld expo set to open today. “Jobs is deeply involved in every facet of Apple development and design … Apple’s visionary and carnival barker.” Some experts maintain Jobs has established a culture at the company that will prevail; either way, Hiltzik concludes, it’s time to unveil the plan.

In this Jan. 15, 2008, file photo, Apple CEO Steve Jobs gestures during his keynote speech at the Macworld conference in San Francisco. (AP Photo)

In this Jan. 15, 2008, file photo Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduces the Macbook Air during the keynote address at Apple MacWorld Conference in San Francisco. (AP Photo)

Apple CEO Steve Jobs talks about the new MacBook Pro during a product announcement at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., Oct. 14, 2008. (AP Photo)

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Apple Must Unveil Post-Jobs Plans

With company's fortunes inordinately tied to founder, confidence is at stake

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Steve Jobs Unveils iCloud, New iOS

Apple also unveils new version of Mac OS

Steve Jobs: Why I Hate Flash

Apple boss pens open letter to address controversy

Jobs Takes Stage at Apple Event, Talks Health, iPods

Some talk of cancer, but mostly tech

Apple Snaps Up Chip Design Company

iPhones and iPods could get efficient next-generation chips

Apple Shares Smash $200 Barrier

Hot gadgets help company muscle past IBM, Dell, Intel in value

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Apple Must Unveil Post-Jobs Plans

With company's fortunes inordinately tied to founder, confidence is at stake

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Steve Jobs • iPhone • Apple • iPod • Macworld

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Steve Jobs Unveils iCloud, New iOS

Apple also unveils new version of Mac OS

Steve Jobs: Why I Hate Flash

Apple boss pens open letter to address controversy

Jobs Takes Stage at Apple Event, Talks Health, iPods

Some talk of cancer, but mostly tech

Apple Snaps Up Chip Design Company

iPhones and iPods could get efficient next-generation chips

Apple Shares Smash $200 Barrier

Hot gadgets help company muscle past IBM, Dell, Intel in value

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?