An article in today's New York Post again calls into question the status of Steve Jobs' health. The real question though isn't whether Apple's leader is sick, but rather why won't Apple publicly announce a succession plan?
Even if there was no reason to be concerned, and there certainly is given Jobs' previous bout with pancreatic cancer, it's only fair to shareholders to know what Apple's contingency plan may be. The company rides high on its connection to its leader. Buf if Jobs were unable to lead Apple, just think of what would happen to the current stock value.
Jobs eventual departure via retirement or other means, doesn't have to be a sinking of the company though. Apple could start minimizing the risk now by succinctly explaining the succession plan. And if that's too much to ask, let's at least start to hear more about the people behind these great products. Many, many moons ago, some of the first Apple products shipped with the autographs of the developers inside. That tradition has long since passed, and in its place, thousands of Apple engineers toil in anonymity.
Yes, there are strategic reasons for this. Other companies would jump at the chance to steal away Apple engineers. How much would Nokia pay to pick up a few members of the iPhone team? However, the payback to shareholders - knowing that the success of Apple's products is the result of the input of many creative people, would go a long way toward calming investor fears.
It's been a great strategy by Apple to keep product details in the dark as long as possible. People however, are not products. Shareholders deserve to know that their investment in the company is more valuable than the participation of one person in the company
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