Reasons For Change Paper

Reasons for Change Paper

University of Phoenix

HRM/310 Change Management

Tiffany Mytty-Klein

August 19, 2012

The success of any organization is based on several factors, one factor and perhaps the most important one are those who lead and represent it and the manner in which they are able to influence the clients and meet their expectations and desires. Apple, Inc. has accomplished this and more from its humble beginnings at the hands of Steve Jobs until now after his untimely death with Tim Cook as the new CEO at the realm. Two very different men who shared the same goals, which is to focus on the great products offered and remain committed to the corporate culture that has contributed to Apple, Inc. overall success (Lashinsky, 2012).

This paper is based on the article, "How Tim Cook is Changing Apple" and the bases of it focuses on the differences in the CEO's and the affects it will have on Apple Inc. Steve Jobs was a phenomenal man, his vision and leadership behind the products Apple developed, the corporate culture, and his unique demeanor created a strong foundation for Apple, Inc. For most his statement, "We started out to get a computer in the hands of everyday people, and we succeeded beyond our wildest dreams" was a glimpse of how he presented the organization and himself that shaped who he was and the depth of what Apple, Inc. is capable (Fell, 2012). On August 24, 2011 Steve Jobs resigned after stating "that if there ever came a day where he could not meet his duties and expectation as CEO that he would be the one to make it known" and Tim Cook became the new CEO of Apple, Inc (Fell, 2012). Upon Steve Jobs death on October 5, 2011 many began to wonder if the organization would be able to remain as successful as they were under the leadership of Tim Cook.

Tim Cook has a very different style from Steve Jobs which many find refreshing. It has to be difficult to come in after such an enigma such as Steve Jobs; however, it can be one of the best things that could happen as well. Tim Cook intertwines well with the employees sometimes randomly joining them in the cafeteria for lunch whereas Jobs did not. Employees admired loved and feared Jobs whereas Tim Cook is viewed not as intimidating or worshiped but still well-respected instead which could be a good thing when it comes to building trust with employees and in improving the workplace environment (Lashinsky, 2012). Tim Cook in turn is building relationship in areas where Steve Jobs found unnecessary which in itself opens accesses to the organization that may have never became available. Even though this change may be considered minimal it promotes a sense of trust amongst its investors and gives them an opportunity to voice opinions or concerns on how the company is functioning which is a plus for investors in this economy. Additionally, by Tim Cook continuing to change the behavior of how the organization conducts business it has affected the center of the organization critical product enhancement activity. The organization is marginally more approachable and substantially more business oriented therefore, changing the workplace environment and taking action that the organization needed and its employees truly desired (Lashinsky, 2012). For many it appears that Tim Cook is righting the wrongs that have accrued over the years that Steve Jobs did not want to focus on for whatever reasons other than stubbornness (Lashinsky, 2012). For the most part Tim Cook has a tremendous task ahead of him that many would find hard to do. They are 1) to continue to run and expand the organization in a successfully manner as Steve Jobs did and 2) build his own legacy separately from the one that was left behind by the previous