Before I go on to the meat of my story, Lessons We Can Learn from Steve Jobs, I’d like to share something funny that I found as I was sifting through fodder for this article:

According to this ZDNet article, one of the bullet points of the How to Design a Great User Experience manual for Windows Vista Developers says:

“Don’t be annoying.”

And I like Jason D. O’Grady & David Morgenstern’s retort even better:

“What OS are these guys using again?”

Okay, enough fanboy/fangurl humor, on to the heart of the matter.

This article is based on my own observations of Apple Inc.’s corporate behavior, and not to be considered as cold, hard, facts.

First, my observations:

• In the U.S., AppleCare is so excellent, that users who had fried and other sorts of defects on there Core Duo Macbooks had their units replaced: a full replacement. Where else have you heard of such commitment to customer satisfaction.
• Apple Inc. does not hesitate to discontinue products that are faring weakly in the market. Neither does it put out products that are inconsistent with the company’s commitment to elegance and pure technological symphony.
• Apple Inc. is not afraid to blaze trails and ride the crest of trends. Though their products cause a stir and get controversial and get criticized to no end, they always come out as runaway successes, because of sheer design beauty.

And now, the lessons I’ve learned:

• Whether you are in a 9 to 5, you have a business, or like me, a freelancer, if you want to ensure consumer or client commitment/loyalty, excellence is key. Apple Inc. stops at nothing to ensure that the market is protected from fallout, thus the unit replacements. Applied to your life and mine, we should commit to giving 150% to our consumers or clients, to secure loyalty from their end.
• Don’t be scared of letting go of things or relationships that are irrelevant to your vision. Through bravely trimming the excesses in your life and focus, you will be able to give more to your passions, and ensure success.
• Be brave, and courageous when you need to make certain decisions that would need you to buck the status quo. Learn from Steve Jobs: he doesn’t care what the current moneymaking trends are. He wants to blaze trails and ensure consumer loyalty and satisfaction, and he is unafraid of what the big players’ moves were. Because of that, he has secured a top niche on the market, and he and his company will continue to redefine our view of technology, as long as Apple Inc. holds true to Steve Jobs’ vision.

Apple fangurl signing out!

Photo Credits:

http://adcentered.typepad.com

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