Why Aren’t More People Like Steve Jobs?

The passing of Apples Steve Jobs got me thinking: Why arent more decision-makers like him?

Jobs was a perfectionist, and by being that way, he created one of the most valuable companies in the world, one in which people LOVE. Everyone wins. Why dont other companies take this approach?

For years, Microsoft got away with releasing problematic software, causing users major headaches, and ultimately costing companies and consumers time and money, which makes this world a worse place. Having worked at a couple of companies, Ive seen firsthand how short-sighted business decisions can cause major headaches and ultimately cost the company more money. Even worse, lessons rarely get learned, and bad decisions get made all over again. Its 2011, and people are still having the same computer problems from 10-15 years ago.

If Jobs ran Microsoft, would we have suffered so many Windows crashes and viruses? If Jobs ran Dell, HP, or whatever other cookie-cutter PC company, would we have so many computer problems? If Jobs ran IBM, would awful software, such as Lotus Notes, still exist? Forget the tech industry. If Jobs ran any of the automakers, would that industry be in such trouble?

Im certain the answer is no. If Jobs ran any of those companies, consumers and businesses would have better software, better hardware, wed work more efficiently, and wed spend more of our time getting things done than wasting time and spending money on repairs.

So long as businesses and consumers are looking to save a few bucks in the short term, and continue spending on service and repairs for inferior products, these products will continue to get made. But sooner or later, as with Apple, folks will figure out that it doesnt need to be so difficult, and spending more on quality is the better option. Once that happens, the business model of making crap will go away.

What Jobs did at Apple wasnt genius. It was obvious, something that too few people are willing to do.