Management
Summary
The co-founder of the personal computer named Steve Wozniak accompanied Steve Jobs in the development of this machine. Steve Wozniak, who was born in Santa Clara, California, owned great interest and knowledge in the field of technology and was keen to engage himself in the building of the personal computer. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak first met in UC Berkeley College by a common friend named Bill Fernandez. Their friendship of both the Steve’s grew stronger due to mutual interests and fields although their personalities and goals were entirely different from each other. Wozniak possesses great expertise in making circuit boards and chips in his spare time but Jobs viewed the hobby of Wozniak’s like a great source to earn the profit. In the third year of college, Wozniak started designing calculators to pursue his dream by joining the renowned technology company named Hewlett-Packard (HP). Steve Jobs started employment in a video game company named Atari where he was told by the chief engineer to create the video game and was offered to get paid by chips that are were required to complete this project. The job was assisted by Wozniak and he received seven hundred bucks on the completion of this project (Wasserman).
Later, in 1975, Wozniak focused on Homebrew Computer Club’s meetings and proposed his innovative designs for personal computers but unfortunately his designs were refused by HP and Atari. It was then when Job’s proposal to build a company named Apple based on the designs of Wozniak turned their dreams into reality, and they received an order from local retailers worth $50,000. Soon, Job started developing new designs to introduced Apple II and was accompanied by his coworker of Atari in making essential power supplies. Unfortunately, the bank refused his loan request, and he approached Mike Markkula, who was the potential investor. The skills and knowledge of Markkula together with his connections and an investment worth $91,000 accompanied by the line of credit for additional $250,000 assisted the Apple to become a successful and a powerful company. Markkula further supported the team and company by introducing his friend Mike Scott, who was hired at a salary of $20,001. However, tension grew among the founders due to the matter of designation and resulted in severe conflict between Scott and Jobs. Job decided to pursue a new computer name Lisa computer and attended a tour with Xerox Parc to study innovative technologies to get aid in building his new project. The success of Lisa depressed the management of Apple and influenced the Scott to resign from his designation which came as an opportunity for Job to retain the designation of his wish.
Wozniak once met Al Alcorn of Atari in the plane after years of completion of Break- out the project. During his conversation with Alcorn, he made him realize that the circuitry for Atari’s Break-out game was developed by him. Wozniak was shocked and disappointed on hearing that original amount that was paid to Jobs was more than $700. The knowledge was a great pain to Wozniak and it made him almost cry (Wasserman).
The dilemmas that were encountered by Wozniak in his relationship with Jobs are shocking and full of grief. Steve Jobs was a genius person with the technical mind but his negative role with his co-founder Wozniak influenced his personality. Wozniak’s skills and talent of creating circuitry boards and chips for personal computer were exploited by Steve Jobs in the designing of a game for Atari. Jobs tricked Wozniak by explaining that they earned the profit of $700 and thus, Jobs divided the profit equally with him. However, Wozniak later found that the profit which they earned was far greater than what was told to him. It showed that trust issues were the major dilemma in the relationship of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Also, Jobs confronted with the co-founders of the company for designation of his wish and showed ruthless behavior by focusing on the new project. The founding dilemmas with Jobs include his lack of cooperation and respect with co-partners, employees, and friends in the business. It is true that Jobs had the vision to create a computer that could be easily handled and used at homes for general purposes, but unfortunately, the routes that he adopted were morally wrong.
Ways to confront these dilemmas
These dilemmas can be confronted with cooperation and meetings between the two parties whereas effective communication can also play the vital role to resolve conflicts between the business partners. It is necessary to emphasize on the ethical codes of conduct of the business while making decisions for the resolution of such dilemmas. The dilemmas between business partners should also be discussed with executives of the company to gain an advantage of their experience in making the effective decision. It is also required to discussing ethical dilemmas with business consultants or business experts while taking care of confidential matters of the business. To gain the wide range of insight for dealing partnership dilemmas and regain the trust between partners, it is crucial to discuss dilemmas face to face under the supervision of seniors and legal consultants without divulging the secrets of the business.
Works Cited
Wasserman, Noam. Apple's Core. Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing, 2011. Print.
