Bill Nelson

Macbook Pro
iPhone
iPad
iMac
Mac Pro
Apple TV

It would be fair to say that from the array of Apple products around our house, that I am a huge fan and user of the products from Cupertino California. This also means by default, that I become a fan of Steve Jobs.

However, I am also the first to admit that I don't know too much about either Apple as a company or Jobs as it's leader.

But I do know a couple of things about Jobs' approach as he goes about guiding Apple and the people that work toward developing it's product line.

A two pronged attack!

1.What can we do better

2.What can our products do without

When Jobs came back into the role of CEO in 1997 he immediately began to reduce the range within the Apple product line. At the same time, he also began a relentless focus and discipline of making sure that Apple became the market leader because of the innovation, design and functionality of it's products.

As part of this ongoing and consistent push for better, it has not been unusual for Apple to continue to improve its products by removing certain features and functionality.

Every time it has applied the strategy of removing something that might have been previously seen as a must have feature, they have come in for criticism. Criticism by those that believed the product would no longer be as user friendly or operational as it once was.

Examples included:

First Imac - No floppy drive
Mac mini - No optical drive
Macbook Air- Reduced built in storage capacity
Lion operating system - only available as download (although you can now get USB thumb drive)

However, as time has gone by Apple in the majority of cases (not all) has continued to be proven right.

Proven right, in that as far as the market has to some extent realised and adjusted to the fact that the features that were once deemed as must have, are no longer required.

Basically Apple has taught us how to do more with less and how to do it better.

But enough about Apple...

What I would like to do now is for you to use the example of Apple and apply it to you, what you do and how you do it.

So without giving you any suggestion or ideas. I want to ask you:

1. Where, how and why can you better.

2. What elements within your day to day approach could you remove and have no negative side effects?

3. How can you become a market leader through better design, functionality and user experience?

Questions, Questions, Questions?

These are questions that if asked, considering you take the time to consider and answer, will allow you significant improvement.

And that improvement will make sure...

The Journey Continues!