Last modified: July 18, 1997 3:15 PM PDT
Readers want Hancock at helm of Apple
NEWS.COM readers were just waiting to be asked that question.
As always, readers had lots of ideas, suggestions, and helpful hints on how to pick up the pieces of the beleaguered company, and who should be in charge.
Among the suggestions that came in response to our informal write-in poll: A monkey; the ever-handy Martha Stewart; a dude who knows how to fight--and bite--the competition, Mike Tyson; Bill Gates; and, more seriously, former Apple chief technology officer Ellen Hancock, our readers' favorite.
Hancock, who resigned along with ex-chief executive Gilbert Amelio last week, captured 22 percent of votes; readers were apparently undeterred by the fact that she has already left the company.
Respondent W.M Sims spoke for the pro-Hancock camp: "Hancock...whoa-nelly! A smart, computer-savvy, people person who knows how to talk to press and developers...and...and...she's a she!?! The most powerful female CEO ever? Stand back, because this is a woman that could give Apple (and the press) the kick in the pants they both sorely need."
Others who voted for Hancock agreed that she's got the right combination of
| Readers' Choice for Apple CEO | |
| Ellen Hancock | 22% |
| Guy Kawasaki | 14% |
| Steven Kahng | 9% |
| Steve Jobs | 7% |
| Dell Yocam | 4% |
| Fred Anderson | 4% |
| Me | 4% |
| Bill Gates | 4% |
| Other | 23% |
Trailing Hancock with 14 percent of the vote was Guy Kawasaki, chief evangelist and Apple fellow.
Those in the Kawasaki camp feel his marketing experience is exactly what Apple needs right now. Kawasaki is also appreciated for the qualities that he doesn't bring to the table:
"His charisma quotient is probably not as high as Steve Jobs's, but he's not nearly as abrasive, which should be a big factor for people on the fence in supporting Apple," wrote Larry Manter.
The CEO of Apple's largest Macintosh cloner, Power Computing picked up 9 percent of the vote.
Reader John Dennet argued for Kahng. "His Apple would kick ass and take names."
Apple cofounder Steve Jobs, while the subject of one reader's disdain (see below), maintains some allegiance among the Apple faithful. He earned 7 percent of the vote on last-minute responses.
Several less modest respondents considered themselves the most qualified candidate. "Me" was in a dead heat with Dell Yocam and acting CEO Fred Anderson, who earned 4 percent each, as did Apple's dreaded nemesis, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates.
Some readers hope that Apple will look outside the high-tech niche to find a qualified candidate. Receiving one vote each were Martha Stewart, Lee Iaccoca, Mike Tyson, and "Anyone But Steve Jobs."
One respondent suggests the board is considering the wrong species altogether:
"A monkey could run that company better than the last three CEOs have."
See the following page for more readers' explanations of their votes.
