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"Designed by Apple in California" is Apple's Secret to Success

by , 2:00 PM EST, March 11th, 2005

Apple's close-knit, in-house design and development of its products are two of the critical secrets to the company's success, Peter Burrows writes in an online column for BusinessWeek.

In a day and age where companies outsource everything they can in the name of cost cutting, Apple's approach bucks that trend and helps the company deliver in areas that competitors cannot. Apple CEO Steve Jobs "argues that the cost-savings aren't worth what you give up in terms of teamwork, communication, and the ability to get groups of people working together to bring a new idea to life," Burrows wrote. The company's vertical integration--controlling virtually all of both hardware and software design--also gives it a leg up in delivering innovative products that have consistently set the tone of the entire industry.

Added design guru Donald Norman, who left the company in 1997 around the time that Jobs returned, "If you follow my [guidelines], it will guarantee good design. But Steve Jobs doesn't want good design. He wants great design, and my method will never give you that. That takes a rare leader, who can bring both the cohesion and commitment and style. And Steve has it."

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
View Name:Guest
Subject: yes, I think this is spot on
View Name:Guest
Subject: Thought and Consideration
View Name:Guest
Subject: You're right, that is why Apple is Better
View Name:Guest
Subject: designed in california...
Close Name:Mace Posts: 9163 Joined: 07 Aug 2003
Subject:

Quote
... SJ argues that the cost-savings aren't worth what you give up in terms of teamwork, communication, and the ability to get groups of people working together to bring a new idea to life," ...
This goes against the common current belief to utilize the best brains from all parts of the world. Hence, Microsoft and IBM is expending a lot of resources in developing collaborative software.

View Name:Guest
Subject: yeah I thought the same this winter :)
View Name:Guest
Subject: Yes and No
View Name:Guest
Subject: Re: 'Best' brains? Nah
View Name:Guest
Subject: A round of applause…
View Name:Guest
Subject:
View Name:Guest
Subject:
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