Steve Jobs – How to live before you die, the man behind Apple

The shocking news about the death of Steve Jobs has sent shockwaves around the world. As heartbreaking as his death is it is only fitting that we take a look back at how one man changed technology. Technology which the creative industry has a lot to thank for as without the innovations of Steve Jobs and Apple as a company the creative industry wouldn’t be where it is now.

Steve Jobs was the modern day Thomas Edison. Just as Thomas Edison invented the light bulb and changed the way we looked at things so did the innovations that Steve imagined and produced. It would be appropriate to say he was the world’s greatest marketer and there will never be anyone else like him.

Steve Jobs was one of the world’s treasures and if no one else knew that he certainly did. At the age of 13 he cheekily called up the head of HP and talked the head into giving him free computer chips which became his lifelong pattern of setting and fulfilling exorbitant standards. One thing to note about Steve Jobs and his entire career is that he was absolutely fearless in his demands. Instead of beating around the bush about what he wanted he brazenly went in and asked for what he wanted.

Steve Jobs was different from anyone else where people lacked in talent, vision and success, Steve had it all – he was talented, had vision and was very determined. What he actually did was combine his natural understanding of technology with his sense of knowing what the consumer would want.  He firmly believed that design of a product was crucial to his products. This proved to be successful as his product were elevated in the marketplace simply because of their design.

Perhaps one could argue his success stemmed from being a child in the sixties in Silicon Valley where he truly learned about all aspects of business. Steve didn’t care who he annoyed whether they were corporate giants or fellow employees as long as he was heard and got what he wanted. However, the other side of Steve was his charm and when he charmed he did it so well he was almost irresistible.

Through most of his years Steve Jobs banged on many doors only to get them slammed in his face. He never gave up and over the last ten years or so most doors were never closed to him. The technology industry adored Steve Jobs and he became the most admired business executive in history.  Many high figure profiles graced the company of Steve Jobs – Presidents, rock stars and the odd celebrity.  He was worshipped by his fans. So much so that they would wait up all night just so they could gain entry into his famous ‘Stevenote’ speeches that he held at Macworld.

Even when he talked about his illness he said ‘Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life’. This is something Steve never did and it was at this point he took the biggest risk at Apple and developed the iPhone. But not any phone, oh no that would be too easy. This phone combines the media savvy of the iPod, had an interface of the Macintosh and a design and style that became his trademark.

And as they say the rest is history. Steve Jobs, 1955-2011 you will be missed.