“Apple may well be the only tech company on the planet that would dare compare itself to Picasso,” Brian X. Chen reports for The New York Times. “In a class at the company’s internal training program, the so-called Apple University, the instructor likened the 11 lithographs that make up Picasso’s ‘The Bull’ to the way Apple builds its smartphones and other devices. The idea: Apple designers strive for simplicity just as Picasso eliminated details to create a great work of art.”
“Steven P. Jobs established Apple University as a way to inculcate employees into Apple’s business culture and educate them about its history, particularly as the company grew and the tech business changed. Courses are not required, only recommended, but getting new employees to enroll is rarely a problem… The program was devised by Joel Podolny, then the dean of Yale School of Management. Mr. Jobs selected him when the program was founded, in 2008, and he remains head of the effort,” Chen reports. “Although many companies have such internal programs, sometimes referred to as indoctrination, Apple’s version is a topic of speculation and fascination in the tech world.”
“Three employees who have taken classes agreed to speak to The New York Times on the condition that they not be identified,” Chen reports. “They described a program that is an especially vivid reflection of Apple and the image it presents to the world. Like an Apple product, it is meticulously planned, with polished presentations and a gleaming veneer that masks a great deal of effort.”
Read more in the full article here.
Related articles:
Why Apple University matters more than ever – February 13, 2014
Steve Jobs to live on, virtually, in Apple University – October 6, 2011
Apple University teaches Apple employees how to think like Steve Jobs – July 19, 2011
Apple Hires Yale’s Business School Dean for Apple University – October 22, 2008
Why does MDN use “indoctrination program” in their title when NYT uses “training program” in the article and in the URL? Indoctrination carries a rather strong negative connotation with it, whereas the article itself surprisingly had no hint of Chen’s strong anti-Apple bias from past Times articles.
Anyway. It was a nice little peek into Apple University, something that has always piqued my curiosity. Naturally, Apple keeps it secretive like everything else. I’m surprised anyone actually spoke about it. And the idea of the Picasso bull lithograph series and Apple’s design process makes an incredible amount of sense. One of the reasons I prefer Apple products to their competitors.
Well said. Indoctrination? Certainly not. Introduction to the culture? Absolutely.
I would say that it is an indoctrination into the way Apple thinks. And a way to keep Apple thinking the right way.
Just a thought, but I believe that Apple University and the Apple way of doing things will become the “8th way” Steve Jobs changed the world.
Companies that learn to think and do things the Apple way will be very successful in the world.
Just a thought.
Is the NYT planning an expose of McDonalds’ Hamburger U? I would guess that most in-house training programs praise the company, rather than biting the hand that feeds the teachers and students alike.
“They described a program that is an especially vivid reflection of Apple and the image it presents to the world. Like an Apple product, it is meticulously planned, with polished presentations and a gleaming veneer that masks a great deal of effort.”
They say that like effort is a bad thing.
It’s that effort that separates the winners from the also rans.
Indeed. You can compare Apple’s way of doing things to that of the very best musicians who can make it look as though what they do is effortless. Hidden are the years of sacrifice and practice to make it look effortless.