How Apple Works: Inside the World’s Biggest Startup
Apple is a highly successful yet secretive company, known for a ruthless corporate culture that emphasizes accountability and swift decision-making. Following a MobileMe failure, Steve Jobs held the team accountable, highlighting Apple's unforgiving environment where performance is paramount. With over 50,000 employees and significant annual revenue, Apple operates like a startup, maintaining simplicity in its structure and processes. Jobs’s leadership style fosters direct responsibility (the “DRI” approach) and an agile, focused mindset that allows for quick adaptations and innovations. Despite Jobs's strong influence, the company is preparing for life after him by institutionalizing his methods through initiatives like Apple University. Employees are committed to Apple's mission, although the workplace can be intense, promoting a culture of high expectations and responsibility.