Apple is universally renowned for bringing humane design to the computer industry. CEO Steve Jobs manages to anticipate demand for emerging technologies long before they go mainstream. But at the same time, his intuition has led him astray as often as it has tapped into the next big thing. And it’s entirely likely that the company’s reliance on his intuition may make it harder for the entire firm to have more of a gut-level sense for the lives of their customers. Quite often, spokespeople for Apple are proud to say they design products they would want to use, which works well some of the time — and quite poorly at others. So where does the home of the iPhone, the Mac, and the iPod rank? Make your voice heard, then visit the Empathometer to continue the conversation!
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January 9th, 2009 at 1:23 am
[...] My other blog has gone Apple this week as we close in on the launch of our book Wired to Care. I’ve just gone live on the Empath-o-Meter with a poll to rate how widespread empathy is at Apple. By empathy, I mean the ability of people inside the company to understand the needs of the folks out in the world that they’re trying to serve. As a Macophile, I obviously feel very well-served by Apple, but I have trouble knowing whether it’s because the folks inside the company really get where I’m coming from — or just that Steve Jobs has an amazing intuition for what’s going to connect with people like me. [...]
January 9th, 2009 at 1:55 am
I used to be very Anti-Apple.. until and astute Apple Engineer loaned me a powerbook for a week.
I think to date Apple has been Empathetic, now they are more commercial what will the future bring.
January 9th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Empathy, as I understand the term means, the ability to understand another’s feelings or emotions. But in this world of microcomputers, there is another term attached to empathy, that word is logic. But as I read it, there seems to be a one-sided view to this complex subject. The term we are looking for is loyalty, but it is NEVER GIVEN. It is alway earned by both sides, Apple Inc. and their customer base. If I were to write to Mr. Steve Jobs, I would write, “Take care of yourself, FIRST! This is the best thing for Apple Inc. and their customer base.” About MacWorld, is everybody out there telling me that this event is the only way for Apple Inc. to communicate? I didn’t think so. I’m a newcomer, I’ve seen the Apple I, owned an Apple //c then moved up to the iMac in early 2000. It all started in 1976, and I started to own in 1982. Well, it’s time for this very Grumpy disabled old Vet to get out of your face. It’s for you to make your own choices.
Have a GREAT NEW YEAR,
Grumpy