Steve Jobs, that is. Even since his death, Steve Jobs continues to create ripples in the business world. The recently published book about Apple by Fortune author Adam Lashinsky highlights some amazing tidbits that organizations can learn from Apple. Here are a few management lessons you can learn from Apple:
- Put your best people on your most important project.
This may sound obvious to you, but it’s often not the case. Many companies will put their best people on struggling projects to give them a lift. Like Apple allowed their iPhone division to poach some of the best engineers from other groups, you should think strategically about placing your best sales managers and sales associates on your most important project.
- Everything is in the details.
If you’ve purchased an iPhone or an iPad, you know there’s almost as much excitement and intrigue in the packaging of the product as in the product itself. There’s valuable significance in that first impression. If you have a new home community, pay as much attention to that moment a potential buyer drives into your community as you do in the building of their new home.
- Be intensely focused.
If you’ve purchased an iPhone or an iPad, you know there’s almost as much excitement and intrigue in the packaging of the product as in the product itself. There’s valuable significance in that first impression. If you have a new home community, pay as much attention to that moment a potential buyer drives into your community as you do in the building of their new home.
- Hold people accountable.
Lachinsky describes in the book that Apple has a phrase called D.R.I. – or Directly Responsible Individual. It’s the term used to describe a person who can be held responsible for a product’s success or failure. In your organization, know who those leaders are who are responsible for results and let them lead their team. They’ll either rise to the challenge and succeed, or they won’t. Either way, people are accountable for their performance.
- Hire the best.
Steve Jobs is quoted as saying, “A players hire A players, and B players hire C players. We want only A players here.” If you want to take the next step in your organization, be sure you have A players on the team. If you don’t, you’ll only get what you’ve always got.
- Above all, focus on the customer.
If your customer is happy, your business will grow. Apple creates products and experiences that customers will love. We’ve all met that one Apple “evangelist” who thinks every other technology product is subpar to Apple. If you focus on building homes and communities that your customers absolutely love, they will become your sales force in spreading the word about your community.