This month, Apple CEO Tim Cook will celebrate his fifth anniversary in that position. In an interview, Cook reflects on these five years, and no topic is off limits. What’s five years of Tim Cook been like?
You can’t talk about Apple without talking about iPhone. During Cook’s tenure, the iPhone has been Apple’s bread and butter. The iPhone makes over half of Apple’s revenue. Though there has been disappointments, but Cook just celebrated a milestone. Recently, Apple sold it’s billionth iPhone. Cook talks about his mistakes, like his first hire to manage Apple Stores. He talks about learning from such mistakes. He highlights a better grooming process for future employees. He talked about recent privacy issues, like the beef between Apple and the FBI earlier this year. He talks about succeeding one of the biggest icons in American business, the late Steve Jobs. Cook is proud of his social justice record. In the last five years, he spoke out on everything from civil rights to gay rights to privacy rights. Apple’s presence in China came up. Cook revealed what inspired him to write a article revealing he is gay. He is proud of Apple’s swift rise in China since 2011. There are 41 Apple Stores in China. In 2011, there were four. What’s next for Apple’s future?
Cook has a reason to be optimistic. Apple stock shares have double. They’re sitting on over $231 billion in cash. That’s more than Portugal’s financial worth. They acquired 65 companies during his tenure. That’s including the 3 billion dollar deal with Dr. Dre’s Beats headphones. That’s the largest business deal of all-time. Of course, Apple has it’s criticism as well. It looks like they’re investing more in China than in the US. I see the business move behind that: They’re the second biggest economy in the world. But don’t forget about home. Some criticize Apple’s stance against the FBI. As far as Apple’s iPhone 7 is concerned, Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has their number. But Apple is one of the most prosperous businesses of all-time. Tim Cook has a huge part of that. Plus, he uses his power to speak out of pressing issues facing our generation. This is why Cook has my utmost respect. What will the next five years of Tim Cook hold?