1

Steve Jobs
Intro to Business
Danielle Spurlock
University of Charleston

2
Abstract

This paper is about the early life of Steve Jobs and the many business situations
he was in with his company Apple, and NeXT. He started up Apple with Steve Wozniak,
A co-founder, who he had become best friends with in high school. They developed a
new technology that would change the world and how people communicate. Both Steves
were fascinated with computers; they wanted to find a way to make them more compact
for everyday use in households across the world. Many products were created and many
failed, losing profit to the point where Steve Jobs had to find someone to invest into the
Apple to bring it back. Eventually Steve Jobs would be removed as CEO from Apple, but
that didnt stop him. He continued working on new ideas with a group of people he knew
very well who were also very fascinated by technology. NeXT was born, the companys
first product was the NeXT computer which overran its competitors with its high quality
features.

Early Stages of Apple

Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak both thought alike when it came to technology.
They met in high school through a friend and hit it off. They developed Apple together in
a garage, created the Apple I desktop computer but it didnt lead to much success. The
consumers of the Apple I were disappointed with the little amount of applications the
computer had, they were also unhappy with the printing quality. Then the Apple II hit the
market and had great success because of the quality of the software, more applications,
including a better spreadsheet and word document program, the physical appearance of
the computer, and being able to print exactly what showed on the screen. The computer
system became a staple in the technology industry, which led to Steve Jobs hiring John
Sculley, a marketing expert.

Leaving Apple
Apple had a fall out with faulty computers and disappointed customers. John
Sculley thought it would be best if Steve Jobs were removed from Apple because he felt
as if Steve was not looking into Apples best interests. Especially competing with IBM,
Apple still had not come up to par with IBM software technology and advances. Steve
Jobs did not have a set position at Apple, so the executives board removed him from the
company.

NeXT
After being removed from Apple, Steve Jobs wasnt done creating the next best
piece of technology. He had a team of intelligent friends that he knew well, group
together in NeXT and create the NeXT Computer. It was one of the most advanced

4
computers in 1988. It competed with the Mac and Microsoft, surpassing both systems
with its processor advances and overall software technology. 2 years later, they created
The Slab, with a faster processor than the original NeXT computer, and way more
advanced in software and design, as we all know this will always be a common
occurrence in technology. It was offered with a black and white display or a color
display. 6 years down the road, Apple purchase NeXT looking to upgrade because of its
not so big advance over the past few years.

Returning to Apple
Steve Jobs returned to Apple a year later after they purchased NeXT which turned
into strictly a software-only business. A new board of executives was brought in. The
company began to thrive once again. Creating Macintosh computers in an abundant
amount, taking a place on a desk in almost every home on the West Coast.
In conclusion, from age 21 to 41, Steve Jobs was been put through many difficult
but rewarding situations, from being worth $1 million to being worth over $100 million.
Many people proved that they either wanted to be apart of the Apple movement or they
wanted to take it away. Needless to say, he will forever be the most successful man in the
technology industry. He changed the computer world. His footprint on this Earth will last
forever; His legacy proves that no matter who you are or where you come from in the
business world, no matter what, you can make an impact. There will be many roadblocks,
but you can still succeed.

Works Cited

A Short History of NeXT. (n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2014, from

http://simson.net/ref/NeXT/aboutnext.htm

Steven Paul Jobs. (2014). The Biography.com website. Retrieved 08:15, Oct 04, 2014,
from http://www.biography.com/people/steve-jobs-9354805.

History of Apple Computers. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2014, from

http://web.bryant.edu/~ehu/h364proj/fall_97/hill/happle.html