Today It is not an ordinary day for those of us who have followed Apple for a long time. We miss A person. The one who started all this in a garage in Silicon Valley, California. In effect, we are talking about Steve Jobs, who died at his home in California at 2 pm on October 5, 2011, at age 56. Today we do not celebrate the anniversary of his death, but 10 years ago Apple made the following statement.
«For the attention of the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:
I have always said that if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my obligations and expectations as CEO of Apple, I would be the first to communicate it. Unfortunately, that day has come.
I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. If the Board sees fit, I would like to continue as Chairman of the Board, a director and an employee of Apple.
As for my successor, I highly recommend that we implement the succession plan and appoint Tim Cook as Apple’s CEO.
I believe that Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are yet to come. And I look forward to seeing and contributing to your success from this new role.
At Apple I have made some of the best friends in my life, and I am very grateful to you for the many years that I have been working with you.
Steve«
This is the last official statement that Steve did for Apple. He directed it to the entire user community after understanding the horrible situation he was in. He couldn’t carry on with his work and Steve always kept in mind that would be the first in realizing that he was no longer going to give 100%. Then he asks for one last favor: to continue being Chairman of the Board of Directors. He did not want to completely let go of his creation.
We can also observe that it is a very short farewell letter, without stopping to explain all his career. After the first two paragraphs, Steve communicates his intention to appoint Tim Cook as CEO. What’s more, it stops at think about the future of the company ensuring that the best is yet to come.
Unfortunately his desire to see and participate in this bright future could not be, passing away a few months after writing this letter. But surely wherever Steve is, he is contemplating as his company continue to be at the forefront of the market, innovating as he wanted.