Yang Gu's Blog

Business needs technology. BTM, for example, is an entire management science based on application of technology (i.e. through computers) in business.

We learned this all in class the day before Steve Jobs passed away.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/67/Steve_Jobs_Headshot_2010.JPG

He created the first generation of microcomputers, and made them cheap and accessible to not only banks, governments, and research universities, but individual businesses and programmers. He is a big part of the reason why “computer” is mostly synonymous to “technology” nowadays.

Then again, Jobs seems to be very good at doing that. Think of Apple products: the Mac, iPods, iPhone, iPad, and how they are all synonymous with “cool.” They are the paradigm of successful product differentiation and positioning.

Think of the MP3 players that tried to resemble the iPod, the touchscreen smartphones, the tablets released after the iPad debuted, and how PCs are leaning toward the Mac’s sleek and shiny design. Apple products are powerful presences in the market despite its high price.

And don’t forget how mobile apps, popularized by the iPhone, became a new channel for conducting business. It changed internal management, transaction and financial procedures, marketing, advertising, franchasing, and so much more.

And that was just the last decade. Jobs also founded Pixar.

The bottom line is,  Steve Jobs was truly brilliant. He revolutionized technology and business repeatedly.

His commencement speech at Stanford in 2005 (see below) is one of his most famous moments. Give it a listen if you haven’t already: Steve Jobs\’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address