“Ex-Apple CEO John Sculley takes a similar look at his stint at the top of Apple, and says the company made a big mistake when it hired him as CEO,” Kahney reports. “It’s the most surprisingly frank admission I’ve ever heard anyone make about their career.”
Interview extract – recommended – here.
Full interview – recommended – here.
MacDailyNews Take: Mr. Obvious. Frank or not, that sonuvabitchin’ unprepared sugared water salesbozo signed away Apple’s crown jewels via a poorly-written contract with Microsoft and very nearly killed the company. As least he seems to know it and is willing to admit it.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Fred Mertz” and “Arline M.” for the heads up.]
If Jobs had stayed, would Apple have achieved today’s success back then in 1985? I think Apple would have avoided going through near death had Jobs stayed on. It is his baby after all.
One thing can’t be denied though. Jobs picked Sculley. Jobs also revealed Apple’s GUI secrets to Gates and company. Obviously Jobs had a lot to learn about character.
It only takes a coward to claim success…..it takes a brave man to admit failure…
It only takes a coward to claim success…..it takes a brave man to admit failure…
Sculley did you just sully your name? Oh, you did that a while ago – at Apple.
Sculley did you just sully your name? Oh, you did that a while ago – at Apple.
Everything is as it is.
Everything is as it is.
Imagine where we would be today without Scully’s interference. Of course, it is a slippery slope because Jobs hired him originally… but still, perhaps the iPhone would have come a few years earlier. Or the iMac or iPod… Either way, it worked well as it did.
Sure Jobs has made some mistakes – but I would say they are mainly due to his vision extending too far in front… Not for anything less.
In my mind, if Jobs does not want to speak with Scully, Scully must have said some really nasty things to him, which Jobs cannot forgive.
Imagine where we would be today without Scully’s interference. Of course, it is a slippery slope because Jobs hired him originally… but still, perhaps the iPhone would have come a few years earlier. Or the iMac or iPod… Either way, it worked well as it did.
Sure Jobs has made some mistakes – but I would say they are mainly due to his vision extending too far in front… Not for anything less.
In my mind, if Jobs does not want to speak with Scully, Scully must have said some really nasty things to him, which Jobs cannot forgive.
“Thanks a lot, Gilligan!”
“Thanks a lot, Gilligan!”
Steve516:
Copy that.
Steve516:
Copy that.
MDN conveniently forgets that Steve Jobs hired Scully!!!
MDN conveniently forgets that Steve Jobs hired Scully!!!
If Steve Jobs hadn’t left Apple, he wouldn’t have founded NeXT, which is the computer used by Tim Berners Less to create the world wide web protocols (at least partially because the NeXT-Step OS encouraged protocol-type development).
Maybe the web would have been delayed by years. Maybe it would have been very different. Who knows?
If Steve Jobs hadn’t left Apple, he wouldn’t have founded NeXT, which is the computer used by Tim Berners Less to create the world wide web protocols (at least partially because the NeXT-Step OS encouraged protocol-type development).
Maybe the web would have been delayed by years. Maybe it would have been very different. Who knows?
Did Sculley screw up big time? No doubt. But he gets my respect for fessing up to what he did wrong. How many times did we hear W. even HINT he might have made even the slightest error? Never.
For someone in the clique of CEOs to say something this candid speaks highly of Mr. Sculley. Plus, I believe Apple had to travel the road they’ve traveled to be where they are today.
Did Sculley screw up big time? No doubt. But he gets my respect for fessing up to what he did wrong. How many times did we hear W. even HINT he might have made even the slightest error? Never.
For someone in the clique of CEOs to say something this candid speaks highly of Mr. Sculley. Plus, I believe Apple had to travel the road they’ve traveled to be where they are today.
Who hired him?
It takes a big man to admit failure on such a scale.
Although, I think that Steve Jobs would NOT be today’s Steve Jobs had he NOT been kicked out of Apple, started NeXT, bought out Pixar (or whatever his role there), etc., etc..
Steve Jobs own failures tempered and focused him. On some levels we should thank John Sculley for giving Jobs the kick in the ass he seemed to have needed.
Who hired him?
It takes a big man to admit failure on such a scale.
Although, I think that Steve Jobs would NOT be today’s Steve Jobs had he NOT been kicked out of Apple, started NeXT, bought out Pixar (or whatever his role there), etc., etc..
Steve Jobs own failures tempered and focused him. On some levels we should thank John Sculley for giving Jobs the kick in the ass he seemed to have needed.
“Do unto others” MDN…
“Do unto others” MDN…
@Mel Gross…
Agreed, Spindler is the one who drove Apple down the tubes with a complete lack of focus product-wise. Those were the days when Apple was selling everything, trying to compete with everyone. Trying to be a mini-Microsoft is some respects.
Anyway, it’s all turning out pretty well. Apple has started a Third Revolution. Third Reich some might say? Egad!
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@Mel Gross…
Agreed, Spindler is the one who drove Apple down the tubes with a complete lack of focus product-wise. Those were the days when Apple was selling everything, trying to compete with everyone. Trying to be a mini-Microsoft is some respects.
Anyway, it’s all turning out pretty well. Apple has started a Third Revolution. Third Reich some might say? Egad!
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