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Jobs Concerns

I'm concerned about two kinds of jobs. In this economy, I worry about just how many will be laid off. But I'm also fretting about Steve Jobs. You've probably heard that Mr. Jobs is taking a six-month leave of absence as his health is poor.

No one besides those in Jobs' inner circle knows what's really wrong, but I'm nervous that health issues could keep a true leader out of the loop. Jobs' real talent is his unrelenting attention to detail. Products have to be -- or at least must try to be -- perfect before they're foisted on a fickle public. It's the same approach that makes a truly great wine great, or a movie something you'll watch again and again.

I hope Jobs returns later this year, but in his absence, perhaps other high-tech execs can adopt the same discipline that makes Apple great.

Posted by Doug Barney on January 16, 2009


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