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Sugared Water

I'm currently reading "The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs".

It's much less the cheesy, DIY Keynote manual that you might think it is, and much more a detailed, stalker-like analysis of all things Steve.  Which, if you're a fanboy like me, is kinda great.

It's full of classic Steve moments.  Here's one of my favourites.

In 1983, Jobs was aggressively courting then PepsiCo president John Scully.  Apple desperately wanted to bring in someone with Sculley's marketing and managing experience, but despite Steve's charm, Sculley failed to budge.  The position would require that Sculley relocate his family to the West Coast, and it paid less than he wanted.

Sculley recounts the conversation that would lead to his decision to take the job.  "We were on the balcony's west side, facing the Hudson River, when he finally asked me directly: 'Are you going to come to Apple?' 'Steve,' I said, 'I really love what you're doing.  I'm excited by it; how could anyone not be captivated? But it just doesn't make sense.  I'd love to be an adviser to you, to help you in any way.  But I don't think I can come to Apple.'"

Sculley said Jobs' head dropped; he paused and stared at the ground.  Jobs then looked up and issued a challenge to Sculley that would "haunt" him.  Jobs said, "Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?".  Sculley said it was as if someone delivered a stiff blow to his stomach.

 Boom.

Comments (3)

Jan 12, 2010
Jonathan Koay said...
Been following Steve Jobs news, ever since he returned back to Apple.

Not quite sure whether I can be considered a fanboy (since I only own an iPod Touch, and it's a gift to me), but he did inspired me in many ways.

"A chance to change the world". Why not?

Definitely a master when it comes to emotional selling.

Jan 13, 2010
King said...
Reading it as well. Awesome stuff.
Jan 14, 2010
Malcolm Bastien said...
Boom indeed!

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