Apple's plans to build a second Cupertino campus got a green light Monday. Here's why.
Three years ago last April, Steve Jobs himself addressed the Cupertino city council to announce his intention to expand Apple's (AAPL) operations in their town.
After telling council members that he had originally thought to build a new campus in another city, he reminded them that Apple was — and still is — the town's largest tax payer.
It was a classic Steve Jobs sales pitch, and when he was through, the town's elected officials actually applauded his performance.
Below the fold: The April 2006 video, via Cult of Mac.
"Classic Steve Jobs sales pitch"? He told them Apple was staying in Cupertino because they managed to find one spot that would work for them despite it supposedly being much more expensive for them to do so, and made a veiled threat that they could always leave if they get frustrated…
Posted By timopg: December 9, 2009 2:08 AM
I recall an article that was written soon after SJ's return to Apple. It was an interview that took place at the Apple campus in Cupertino. SJ was dressed in shorts and running shoes and talked about how much he disliked the institutional feel of the complex. In his view the company had lost its innovation edge and perhaps the insurgent mindset that was a hallmark of the company's early days under his leadership. If I recall correctly, the campus represented to him everything that had gone wrong at Apple.
Twelve years later its remarkable how much the circumstances have changed. We all know Apple recaptured its lost spirit of innovation. The company's obsession with product design, customer satisfaction and corporate success has brought the enterprise to a new and in a way ironic spot.
That old complex that seemed institutional and oversized has now become too small to serve the needs of the people who have crafted a success story beyond most people's imaginings when SJ returned to the helm 12 years ago.
This is the next chapter of the amazing American corporate tale about a technology company that had its beginnings in a residential garage and may soon become the most highly valued corporate enterprise in the land. It's a stranger than fiction story of second chances, renewed vision, perseverance, hard work and nearly unbridled success.
Source:cnn.com/
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