Apple has just released the new Iphone 5 to much fanfare and you’ll either be in the ‘love it’ or ‘will reluctantly buy it later’ category.

We have also just passed the one year anniversary of Tim Cook’s tenure as Apple CEO having taken over the role from Apple founder and icon, the late Steve Jobs.

Under his stewardship – Cook has successfully launched the Iphone 5; their share price continues to rise; Apple has settled an intellectual property lawsuit against Samsung, and Cook has also carried on Steve Job’s legacy. He continues to embrace Apple’s core principles (innovation, user experience, and excellence) whilst also imparting his own distinct management style over the company.

Apple has shown the critical importance of having a strong succession plan. Over time Apple, Steve Jobs and its board of directors developed and executed their CEO succession plan through promoting Cook. By giving Cook more responsibilities and having him serve as caretaker CEO whenever Jobs was on medical leave, Apple has been able to effect a smooth transition for this key leadership position.

In this current employment environment, hiring and also retaining talent is a key issue facing organisations of all sizes. The implications of an organisation not being able to hire the right person magnifies the longer a position is left vacant (leadership vacuum, lost business opportunity, effect on staff morale, negative company perception externally). There are many examples of organisations that have suffered without having a strong succession plan, eg : HP, Yahoo!, Simon Cowell leaving American idol.

Companies that do not have a succession plan in place for employees at all levels also face the consequence that these employees may leave if there is not a sustainable career path in front of them.

Until next time.

Apple, career, Iphone 5, Steve Jobs, Succession planning, Tim Cook

“Change We Can Believe In” was a powerful election slogan of Barack Obama that won him support and near-adulation among many people in the run up to the last US election. Some people believed that change was important and necessary although others wondered what substance there might have been behind the slogan.

Many organisations have slogans, mission statements and corporate objectives. These are good if they have substance behind them but what if they do not? An empty slogan is like a false promise – a sign of a lack of integrity.

A significant minority of job seekers who seek my advice are looking to leave their jobs not because of compensation or promotion prospects but for ethical reasons. Perhaps it’s worth taking the time to do a career audit and ask:

• Am I a valued part of the team?
• Do I feel comfortable working here?
• Can I make a difference to this company?
• Am I listened to and are my views respected?
• Are the senior management people of integrity?

If the answers to the above questions are more negative than positive then it might be time for a change you can believe in – actively seek a better opportunity elsewhere.

Barack Obama, career, change, compensation, election, Employment, ethics, integrity, promotion, slogan, USA