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Evaluating the ‘Steve Jobs effect’

Written by: Dennis Sellers

Article Overview: In a recent ChangeWave research firm survey, they inquired about the Steve Jobs “effect”? With his recent health disclosure and taking a leave of absence—amid speculation on whether Apple will stumble without him—ChangeWave asked consumers what effect it would have on their likelihood of buying Apple products if Jobs were to permanently step down as CEO

Evaluating the ‘Steve Jobs effect’

In a recent ChangeWave research firm survey, they inquired about the Steve Jobs “effect”? With his recent health disclosure and taking a leave of absence—amid speculation on whether Apple will stumble without him—ChangeWave asked consumers what effect it would have on their likelihood of buying Apple products if Jobs were to permanently step down as CEO.

Four-in-five (80 percent) now say it would have No Effect on their likelihood of buying Apple products. And while nine percent still say they’d be Less Likely to buy Apple products if Jobs steps down, that’s a five point improvement from six months ago.

So while Apple still has a long way to go in ameliorating consumer concern, things do appear to be moving in the right direction, according to ChangeWave. “When you put it all together, our latest survey findings bode particularly well for the iPhone’s long term outlook,” says the research firm. “Its latest moves have clearly positioned it for dynamic growth as the consumer economy moves out of recession.”

I’m one of those who really hopes the World’s Most Interesting CEO returns to active duty—and that, even more importantly, that his health will allow him to do so if he wishes to return. But I honestly don’t think he will. However, I certainly don’t agree with some of the speculation over who might replace him.

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Article Tags: active duty, apple products, ceo, changewave research, consumer concern, consumer economy, consumers, disclosure, dynamic growth, iphone, leave of absence, likelihood, moving in the right direction, point improvement, recession, six months, speculation, steve jobs, survey findings, term outlook



Related Forum Posts
Re: What If Steve Jobs Hadn't Returned To Apple In 1997? - Thanks for sharing with us Yinko. Steve Jobs is definitely a visionary. Not only his products are innovative in a technological sense, but he's managed to turn a tech-company's products into a lifestyle.... a lifestyle!! [quote:zfqoq43n]Fast Forward to today. Apple has the sexiest products in the business: iMacs, Macbooks, iPhones, iPods and more.[/quote:zfqoq43n] I think not only tech would be different (music players and phones), but ways we can think of marketing and branding. What Steve Jobs did was of course no easy task for the smaller businesses, but he did start somewhere. What I did not know was that Apple is worth about as much as Google. How do you think Apple accomplish what they did? In terms of strategy wise? If you could advice Steve on one thing, what would it be?
Re: Citizen Journalism: There's no such thing - This clearly shows that if Steve Jobs sneezes the price of the stock will drop. Since Apple is a great company why do they have to link the rise and fall of the stock to one man? So eventually when Steve passes on what is going to happen to Apples stock?
Re: Are you getting an iPad 2? - @GT - we can talk more about it once I get one and I'm happy to answer any questions to see if it might fit your lifestyle. @Yinka - Sorry, no payment from Steve Jobs... I wish!
Re: What are the top videos for entrepreneurs on YouTube? - I've seen the Steve Jobs video a few times and it is a great one. Off to watch David's suggestion right now. Thanks guys! I'll try to find one of my own to add to the list.
Re: Citizen Journalism: There's no such thing - [quote="ideasuniversity":2zpdpyk9]This clearly shows that if Steve Jobs sneezes the price of the stock will drop. Since Apple is a great company why do they have to link the rise and fall of the stock to one man? So eventually when Steve passes on what is going to happen to Apples stock?[/quote:2zpdpyk9] That's a very good point. He needs to appoint a successor now or in some way affirm that the company will exist even if he goes under!


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