We use the phrase "they don't get it" far too often, but I have to admit that when I see the way investors, analysts, and pundits view Apple, I honestly do believe that they truly don't understand Apple at all.
This is not new. People didn't understand Apple back in the 80's either. The difference then was that Apple fell from grace and the critics were quick to say "I told you so". Apple doesn't conform to the norms? Well, Apple failed, proof positive that the old guard was right and the radical teachings of Steve Jobs was merely a passing fad.
But what about now? Apple has the largest market cap in the free world. In fact, their market cap exceeds their nearest competitor by hundreds of billions of dollars. Their brand is revered, their products are ubiquitous and their profits are outrageous. By any measure, Apple is not only a success, but they are the epitome of success.
Yet, just as in the 80's, Apple generates nothing but doubt from outside observers. They still think that Apple is "doing it wrong". "Yeah, sure," they say, "Apple may be on top today, but their business model is fatally flawed and Apple is doomed to fail."
One doesn't trust what one doesn't understand. One doesn't understand unless one seeks knowledge. One doesn't seek knowledge when one believes that all the answers are known and that they know all the answers.
Why don't the pundits believe in Apple? Because what Apple is doing is unbelievable. Literally. The pundits are not going to start to understand Apple, to trust Apple, to believe in Apple, until they stop knowing what they already believe and start believing in what Apple already knows.
This ties in with your "Too easy" post. The obvious answer to Apple's success is that they make great products that people are willing to pay premium prices for. But too many people grasp for explanations based on their bias. "Apple fans will buy anything with an Apple logo on it." "Apple is a cult and their customers gladly drink the kool-aid."
ReplyDeleteThey repeat these almost like a mantra and end up missing the massive technological shifts that Apple has introduced just within the past few years. The iPhone brought touchscreens and easy mobile internet access to the mainstream. The iPad extended the touch-based computing paradigm. Now Siri is introducing yet another major shift in how people accomplish their computing tasks.
Agreed. I circle around this topic like a vulture, but never seem to find a suitable perch to land on. I get it. I believe Apple should fail. Apple doesn't fail. I can either conclude that I was wrong or that there was some supernatural power I work. I choose the later. It must be a special class of Apple zombies. It must be marketing. It must be Steve Jobs hypnotic powers. It must be that all people (except for me) are stupid.
ReplyDeleteI just wish that I had a better, a shorter more concise way of driving this point home.