“Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson, is one of the books that had the greatest impact on me about the biography of Steve Jobs. Undoubtedly, a controversial character, but at the same time, an exciting one.
The portrait created by Isaacson, with the collaboration of Jobs, shows us a genius whose creativity, energy, and drive for perfectionism revolutionized six industries: computers, animated films, music, telephony, tablets, and digital publishing. This bold approach translates easily to the world of marketing, where innovation and creativity are as valued as they are in Apple’s products
The importance of innovation in Marketing
Jobs was aware that the best way to create value in the 21st century was to connect creativity with technology. His vision for Apple was one in which “breathtaking leaps of imagination go hand in hand with amazing technological achievements.” In marketing, we can apply this same philosophy to drive more innovative and effective campaigns.
Lessons from Apple’s Branding Strategy
If there is anything to learn from Jobs’ “abrasive personality” and his “obsession with controlling everything,” as Isaacson describes it, it is the importance of strong, consistent branding. Jobs was willing to face criticism and controversy to maintain the vision he had for Apple.
How can a mindset like Jobs change your marketing approach?
Jobs spoke with a “sometimes brutal candor” about the people he worked with and competed with, as mentioned in the biography. Adopting a similar mindset could mean taking calculated risks in your marketing strategy and being authentic in your communication with customers.
Lessons on Innovation, Character, Leadership and Values
Jobs’ life, “full of lessons about innovation, character, leadership, and values,” as recounted in the book, invites us to reflect on our own practices and ethics in the world of marketing. We can learn from both his successes and his failures; after all, as Jobs himself admitted, “I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of […] but there’s no corpse in my closet that can’t come to light.”
“People don’t know what they want until you show it to them.”
The principles and strategies that shaped Steve Jobs’ business vision, and which are explored in depth in Walter Isaacson’s book, can offer valuable lessons for any marketer. By incorporating the importance of innovation, focusing on strong branding and taking an authentic, risk-taking approach, we can aspire to transform our own sphere of influence, just as Jobs did in multiple industries.
