i worked at Apple from 1985 - 1992 and at Microsoft from 1992 - 2006. There are actually a fair amount of people who have made the move from Apple to Microsoft. More and more I hear there are people who are moving from Microsoft to Apple. I even know people who went from Apple to Microsoft and back to Apple.
But, after 50 years who would remember this. The below is a video of Malcolm Gladwell being interview at an event celebrating Jamaica's 50 year of of independence.
Geekwire reports on a Youtube video recorded by Toronto Public Library's Appel Salon interviewing Malcolm Gladwell. Here is the video.
The best part starts at 9:26 mark. Go here.
The Geekwire article does a good job digging through and transcribing the video.
“I firmly believe that 50 years from now he’ll be remembered for his charitable work. No one will even remember what Microsoft is, and all the great entrepreneurs of this era, people will have forgotten Steve Jobs. There will be statues of Gates across the third world and … there’s a reasonable shot … because of his money, we will cure malaria.”
One of the main points that Malcolm makes is Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were some of the best businessman.
“Think about it, look, all of the things that made him a brilliant self-promoter, they overlap with what made him a great businessman, right? He was brilliant at understanding the image he wanted to craft for the world. What was brilliant about Apple? He understood from the get-go that the key to success in that marketplace was creating a distinctive and powerful and seductive brand, and he was as good at doing that for laptops as he was for himself.”
Malcolm made this a person vs. person story.
Gladwell called Gates “the most ruthless capitalist” until the day when he “wakes up one morning and says enough and steps down and he takes his money, he takes it off the table.” For that alone, Gladwell believes that Gates will be revered like no other entrepreneur of his era.
But, the #1 thing that will help Malcolm's prediction come true that Bill Gates will be remembered is the Gates Foundation. Bill Gates is spending 100% time on this. Bill is going to put his health as the top priority and not make mistakes Steve Jobs made with his health, trusting new age medicine and seeing his health through his eyes like the infamous statement of Steve not using an oxygen mask that is poorly designed.
To illustrate his point, Gladwell retells the story of Steve Jobs who while on his deathbed refused an oxygen mask several times because he didn’t like the design of it.
“It was like making him send his final emails using Windows,” Gladwell said to laughs from the crowd.
Health is a cruel reality of where big egos can quickly be brought down to earth and make them aware they are not super human, and the world will not bend to their will.
Also, the Gates Foundation has Melinda Gates, Billions of Gates money, more than Steve Jobs had, Warren Buffet's Billions, and a staff of hundreds. Bill Gates has built the Microsoft of Foundations that is called the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Bill has made room for Melinda to change the world. And, Bill Gates, Sr participates as well.
Forbes' Brian Caulfield says Malcolm Gladwell is wrong. That Bill Gates is a Atilla the Hun. But, Brian is wrong. In third world countries, they have no concern with the Apple vs. Microsoft past wars. With Steve Jobs gone and Bill Gates gone from Microsoft the battle between the companies is history. Does anyone get pumped up with a battle between Apple's Tim Cook and Microsoft's Steve Ballmer?
Three words for Gladwell: Atilla the Hun. Who is better known, Albert Schweitzer or Thomas Edison? Father Damien or J.P. Morgan? Steve Jobs wasn’t a great humanitarian*; but what does not being a great humanitarian have to do with being particularly forgettable?
Bill Gates has used his money to pull together an organization that has no rivals.
Bill GatesCo-chair and TrusteeBill Gates shapes and approves foundation strategies, reviews results, advocates for the foundation’s issues, and helps set the overall direction of the organization.
Melinda French GatesCo-chair and TrusteeMelinda Gates shapes and approves foundation strategies, reviews results, advocates for the foundation’s issues, and helps set the overall direction of the organization.
William Gates Sr.Co-chairWilliam H. Gates Sr. guides the vision and strategic direction of the foundation and serves as an advocate for the foundation’s key issues.
Warren BuffettTrusteeWarren Buffett helps shape our vision and develop strategies to address some of the world’s most challenging inequities.
Jeff RaikesChief Executive OfficerJeff Raikes leads the foundation's mission to promote equity for all people around the world.
Christopher EliasPresident
Global DevelopmentDr. Chris Elias, President of the Global Development Program, leads the foundation’s efforts in integrated and innovative delivery, finding creative new ways to ensure solutions and products get into the hands of people in developing countries who need them most.Allan C. GolstonPresident
United States ProgramAllan C. Golston leads the foundation’s efforts to increase opportunity and advance student achievement for all young people in the United States through evidence-based education reforms and innovations.Geoff LambPresident, Global Policy and Advocacy
Global Policy & AdvocacyGeoffrey Lamb leads a team that partners with public policy colleagues in each of the three program areas to help build strategic relationships that are crucial to the foundation’s work.Trevor MundelPresident
Global Health ProgramDr. Trevor Mundel, president of theGlobal Health Program, leads the foundation’s efforts in research and development of health solutions including vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics, focusing on health problems that have a major impact in developing countries but get too little attention and funding.Martha ChoeChief Administrative Officer
Foundation OperationsMartha Choe oversees the foundation's Information Technology, Security, and Global Workplace Resources teams.Connie CollingsworthGeneral Counsel and Secretary
Foundation OperationsConnie Collingsworth leads the Legal team, which provides staff guidance and creative solutions and upholds the foundation’s integrity.Richard HenriquesChief Financial Officer
Foundation OperationsRichard Henriques oversees Finance and Accounting, Financial Planning and Analysis, Strategic Planning, Impact Planning and Improvement, and several special initiatives.Kate JamesChief Communications Officer
Foundation OperationsKate James oversees internal and external communications functions, advancing and protecting the foundation’s reputation and building awareness of foundation focus areas.Mark SuzmanManaging Director, International Policy and Programs
Global Policy & AdvocacyMark Suzman leads a team that helps build strategic relationships with governments, NGOs and other key partners to increase awareness, action, and resources devoted to global development and health priorities.