Steve Jobs, the man behind Apple computers, passed away on October 5. Kenji Yamamoto, the former VP of Apple Japan (and current CRO of myGengo) wrote an intimate four-part article in remembrance of his former boss. We think that it offers an interesting look into the life of Jobs from someone who worked closely with him, and have decided to translate it for our non-Japanese-speaking readers. The original Japanese version is here, and below is the first part of our two-part translation, done by super myGengo translator #1489.
It all started by chance, in the office of a headhunting firm one day in 2004. That day, I dropped by the office and was asked whether I wanted to become the president of a certain B2B company. I listened to the entire explanation, replied that I wanted more time to consider their offer and was trying to leave the office, when the consultant on the account asked, "Kenji, would you be willing to hear a little proposal from a friend of mine?" I still had some free time left that day, so we moved to another room and I was introduced to that friend. That's how it all started.
The consultant seemed likeable, so I decided to at least hear what he had to say. When I glanced at the papers on the desk, the word "Apple" caught my eye. At that time Apple's stock price was about $10, so it wasn't a company you heard very good things about. There were rumors it might go bankrupt or have to take money from its arch-rival Microsoft. And anyway, my own career had been completely B2B, so my first thought was that it had nothing to do with me. The only time the consultant caught my attention during his enthusiastic explanation was when he said,
"They've already been looking for someone for about two years. They want you to meet directly with Steve Jobs and hear what he has to say."
At the time, I worked at a company called Oracle, where I was blessed to have the chance to work directly with the genius Larry Ellison several times. In my heart, my curiosity and desire to meet Steve Jobs rapidly grew. It felt almost like having my own "genius collection." I had received a request from the B2B company I was originally referred to for an interview with the CEO in Las Vegas. If I was to do that, I thought, I could come home via San Francisco, finish my work and then visit the Apple headquarters.
I wonder if it was fate. My schedule lined up well, and I met Steve. I arrived at Apple's stronghold, Infinite Loop, a little early, so I reset my watch in the neighborhood Starbucks, feeling like I was heading to the front lines. I went through interviews with a wonderful woman from Human Resources and the then-CEO Tim before being allowed into Steve's personal conference room. My first impression was of a person with a wonderful sparkle in his eyes. It was an amazing experience, and his great aura had drawn me in before I knew it.
Steve, you spoke with me about what Apple was working on at the time, and about products that were not yet being sold in Japan, and about various other things. The exuberance and the twinkle in your eye seemed like those of a child describing his favorite toy. My heart nearly burst with excitement at this encounter with a world-famous genius. Everything you said was fascinating, but three things stood out for me and remain with me even now.
You answered my questions: What do you want from your new leadership in Japan? Do you want to double sales growth? Or do you want to pursue high profits?
"Kenji," you said, "Anyway, just make Japan happy. Within Apple's global presence, only have Japanese employees and customers continued interminably in a state of unhappiness."
This statement lodged directly in my heart. I have received CEO invitations from many executives, but I have never once heard a startling message like this. I was moved in a way that I have never experienced either before or since. I felt it in my heart: Just as I had expected, he was an amazing human being.
Meeting with you, I immediately felt that Apple is a great company destined for even greater achievements. But my entire strength and experience were in the B2B world, so I frankly admitted, "I am a pro in the B2B world. It would be a great privilege, but I am only an amateur in your target B2C. I deeply regret that I don't have anything to contribute, no guarantee or track record for your beloved Apple." Even to that, you said, "For two years I have been continually meeting with candidates — all of Japan's seasoned B2C people. After that, I decided to meet you, Kenji." In retrospect, it seems I might have been impolite in not answering a single question, so please forgive my rudeness for leaving you after an interview that consisted solely of my expressing gratitude to you. Afterwards I considered how it would be to accept a leadership role in a company operating in the B2C area, where I had no experience.
My impressions of you before my first interview were that you were a genius, a hard worker, a world leader in considering customers' perspectives... so I came to the interview prepared to talk about work. But you said, "Kenji, you also have a wife, don't you? Would she be happier if you worked for Oracle or for Apple? My lifestyle and life values changed a lot when I had a family." Facing potential complaints, you allowed me to value my personal life as a precious treasure. What amazed me was that you gave me a message that you were managing your private life well, which moved me. And I was doubly astonished because I had given my children Macintosh computers even when I had been working at places like IBM and Oracle.
