What’s the prognosis for Steve Jobs?
p2pnet news view | Off Topic:- It seems to be a little like an addict taking the first of the 12 steps to recovery.
As The Telegraph puts it, “Admitting Steve Jobs` illness is first step for Apple.”
Amid months of rumours and speculation centering on whether or not Apple boss Jobs is slowly but surely succumbing to a rare form of pancreatic cancer diagnosed in 2004, he says his gaunt appearance is down to a hormonal imbalance, and nothing more.
But, “The problem isn’t what was said, but in what wasn’t, as speculation about the founder’s health has circulated for months and roiled its share price,” says the story. “Apple’s board should articulate succession plans to restore credibility with investors.”
Because not unreasonably, people with money in Apple are worried about what’ll happen when he no longer runs the company. His marketing genius alone turned it into what it is today – a media darling and The One to a devoted coterie of followers.
When Jobs finally retires for whatever reason, will the company once again be relegated to the backwater from whence it came?
No one wants to know, “every time Jobs gets a headache or suffers from acid reflux,”" says the story, adding:
“But if there ever was an Alpha key man, Jobs fits the bill. If Apple had informed its shareholders earlier, six months of fevered speculation could have been avoided. Now its credibility has taken a hit.
“Shareholders deserve to know who will helm the company if Jobs` illness turns out to be – or develops into – something more serious that would force him to step down.
“Apple may value its reticent culture, but this is one secret it can no longer keep.”
Jobs is, “walking a fine line here,” the Washington Post has Scott A. Sobel, president of a DC firm that “often deals with high-profile clients”.
“There’s a big difference between saying, off the cuff, ‘Hey, I’m going to be fine,’ and saying something that satisfies all the legal and ethical details that are required but that could still be seen as being misleading.”
In publicly traded companies, Sobel adds, these little notes are ”vetted by the legal department’.”
Jobs is, “telling the people something but not telling them everything …”
The Telegraph – Admitting Steve Jobs` illness is first step for Apple, January 6, 2008
gaunt appearance – Steve Jobs admits to `hormone imbalance`, January 5, 200rare form8
rare form – Steve Jobs on the mend, August 2, 2004
Washington Post – Hormones? Steve Jobs Paints A Not-So-Clear Picture of Health, January 6, 2008
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