Leadership in Microsoft and Apple

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses leadership styles and the aspects that make a successful company. The paper specifically focuses on the leadership of Bill Gates in Microsoft and Stephen Jobs in Apple. It looks at the concepts and theories of the two leaders and how they applied their theories to their companies in order to ensure the company's growth and success.

From the Paper:

"Steven Jobs made Apple successful first by making peace with Apple's former blood enemy, Bill Gates. Coexistence with the dominant player, Steven felt, was Apple's only survival strategy. Microsoft would continue writing Mac software, a prerequisite to have any hope of recovery. Jobs ended the policy of licensing Apple's software to other computer makers because he felt those "clones" sucked up profits that were rightfully Apple's. "Apple needed a plan." Jobs believed that there was sufficient talent at Apple to regain glory, but they have no understanding of their strategy. The idea was to focus efforts on Apple's key markets: publishing, education and consumer. Ultimately the product list would be winnowed to four: desktop and laptops for the consumer and the professional. (Levy 1998)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Donlon, J.P.. (1994, July 1). "Chief executive of the year. (interview with Microsoft CEO William H. Gates)(includes related articles) (CE Award) (Cover Story)", Chief Executive (U.S.).
• Levy, Steven. (1998, May 18). "Hello Again.(a new computer, the iMac, from Apple Computer)", Newsweek.

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