Mr Cook never said he wasn't happy with the current work force. Far from it. Almost every single earnings call he gushes over how great his employees are ( you should listen to the earnings call to get a better understanding of how much respect and admiration Cook has for his fellow workers) and how they are the reason for Apple's success. You can't just take one sentence out of context.
he said he was disappointed with the results. What does that mean? Who knows. Go ask Cook before you start trying to read his mind. Maybe Cook got other data that he's not releasing to the public? I'm pretty sure there was a comments section in the survey. What if 30% of the workers said the lack of diversity was a problem? Then what? Is Cook going to say there is nothing to work on? Really?
What was the alternative? Did you want him to say he's 100% satisfied with the results? Really?
He could've responded as he does when often asked about upcoming products... "We believe we have the best employees in our company's history and we're very excited about what our diverse culture of innovation will create next."
Always...ALWAYS talk about the product and dismiss self-serving detractors with their own agenda.
HEADLINE: Cook happy with 70% White Male workforce
Do you not see how that would be a total PR nightmare?
Cook talks about many things besides products. He talks about Gay rights and the environment. These large companies have a certain level of social responsibility. Funny how people bash Company's for not taking a stand on important issues and when one does like Apple they get criticized.
There are a lot of people who throw around the word "rights" in a very casual, careless way in this day and age. It actually has a specific meaning. I suggest brushing up on the language used in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights as a refresher.
... he said he was disappointed with the results. What does that mean? Who knows. Go ask Cook before you start trying to read his mind.
... Is Cook going to say there is nothing to work on? Really?
What was the alternative? Did you want him to say he's 100% satisfied with the results? Really?
It's a statement from Apple and the context is very clear.
If that's not what he meant to say Apple (and mr Cook) has an even bigger problem.
I would expect him to clarify this statement soon.
Reminds me of those politically correct TV commercials. You know, the companies that mix different races into disturbing social arrangements (home depot, trip advisor, internet companies, etc). These commercials are unsettling to the average viewer, including minorities.
For example, the home depot barefootin commercial. Are you serious!?
HEADLINE: Cook happy with 70% White Male workforce
Do you not see how that would be a total PR nightmare?
Cook talks about many things besides products. He talks about Gay rights and the environment. These large companies have a certain level of social responsibility. Funny how people bash Company's for not taking a stand on important issues and when one does like Apple they get criticized.
The great thing is its only a VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY small minority of people who are upset about Cook's comments and the diversity survey. So when 99.9999999% of the population is against your point of view, don't you think you may need to reconsider?
It isn't 70 it's 55% (that's a very important issue, see my previous post).
You get rightly criticized when you are taking nonsense (see my previous post for an 'explanation').
Where do you get the numbers from (or is your name 99.9999999%)?
And, if I may add, what ethnic percentage do they strive for?
Is it based on the ethnic population percentage as defined by Wikipedia for example (in that case Apple has to hire more whites and a lot less Asians).
Is it based on the ethnic distribution of everyone graduated at school or university (in a specific year)?
Is it simply an even distribution of all colors and sexual preferences?
Or is it a percentage indicated by press whining?
One thing is clear mr Cook isn't happy with his current work force, and that I wouldn't like if I worked for Apple.
Mr Cook never said he wasn't happy with the current work force. Far from it. Almost every single earnings call he gushes over how great his employees are ( you should listen to the earnings call to get a better understanding of how much respect and admiration Cook has for his fellow workers) and how they are the reason for Apple's success. You can't just take one sentence out of context.
he said he was disappointed with the results. What does that mean? Who knows. Go ask Cook before you start trying to read his mind. Maybe Cook got other data that he's not releasing to the public? I'm pretty sure there was a comments section in the survey. What if 30% of the workers said the lack of diversity was a problem? Then what? Is Cook going to say there is nothing to work on? Really?
What was the alternative? Did you want him to say he's 100% satisfied with the results? Really?
What utter bullshit you spout.
You say, "He was disappointed with the results. What does that mean? Who knows (sic)."
I’ll tell you what it means. It means that he is in sop to the politically correct Orwellian brigade of mind police, who want to brainwash everyone into thinking that four legs good, two legs bad. In other words: I'm a white male and should feel very guilty of my dominant past; to make amends, I’ll pretend that I'm touchy-freely and am embarrassed by the stale, tired world of white male superiority. I will say that I'm unhappy with my current workforce and will pander to every pressure group in the name of liberal inclusiveness.
He could've responded as he does when often asked about upcoming products... "We believe we have the best employees in our company's history and we're very excited about what our diverse culture of innovation will create next."
Always...ALWAYS talk about the product and dismiss self-serving detractors with their own agenda.
Steve Jobs might have said something like that. But then he wasn't part of the PC brigade like Cook is.
Non-threatening workplace? What is this, a creche? How the hell do you define 'non-threatening'? In my experience, adrenalin tends to focus the mind and make me perform a lot better.
Adrenaline and motivation can be achieved without intimidation, insults, derogatory remarks, and behaviors which foster and institutionalize discrimination and prejudice. Your account here on AI indicates a location in the UK, so it is understandable that you might have differing standards of conduct and ideas of what is acceptable in a professional workplace. There are certain laws here in the US which go beyond what some would consider necessary, but they are the laws nevertheless. But many companies find that surpassing the letter of the law is a strong force at maintaining a harmonious workplace. Allowing divisiveness and hostility within the ranks is just not acceptable.
Its a bigger pity that some people think those things don't already exist and need to be measured and regulated by a liberal government.
Its a bigger pity that most minorities aren't interested in doing what so many successful white men are. Because white men are so....white, and nerdy, with their good grades, and hard work, what a bunch of chumps. Who would wanna be like that?
hint:
The wealthy.
I really don't think this requires a response, because it is actually proving my point. I hope some day you will outgrow your prejudices.
And that's really all that needs to be said about 'diversity.' The only diversity Apple need to exercise is discriminating between those who are the best for the job (the A players in Steve Jobs's words) and those who aren't.
Apple is a business so of course they pick the best person for the job. Do you really think they make those amazing profit margins by meeting quotas and promoting less qualified individuals based on their skin color? This is a PR video so it is accurate but it is also the way they want to be perceived. This is no different than the anti-child labor and green initiatives Apple has recently publicizing. They figure if they lead the way, many other companies will follow their lead and embrace diversity not for diversity's sake but to "inspire creativity and innovation" as they put it.
And if you want to sell to a broader customer base, it's important to show that you are a good corporate citizen as well. Additionally, Apple sells world wide, as a world wide company, they need to be in touch with all cultures. The world has long since changed since colonial days.
I'm sure she's a very nice woman, however the video I heard was actually narrated by Angela Ahrendts.
I suppose not many people met her in person or listened to other works Angela Ahrends has accomplished.
That said, do you think it's time for Al Gore to ask Phil Schiller to leave Apple..? Phil might be the "Class Clown" and there for comic relief, but Steve Jobs is gone now. Who is he going to be the nightly clown to?
Cook needs to put his money where his mouth is. If he's so concerned about diversity, then where is the Tim Cook (or Apple) scholarship fund awarding scholarships for women and minorities to pursue a career in technology/engineering/computer science? The healthcare company I work for has awarded over $9M in college scholarships to minorities so they can pursue careers in healthcare.
Jony Ive supported a campaign in the UK to make design and technology part of the curriculum in UK schools. In the United States we have Project Lead the Way (PLTW) which is a non-profit provider of STEM programs for high schools. Perhaps Apple could make a large grant donation to PLTW to help support schools with the cost of covering these programs? Tim Cook said the youngest developer at WWDC was 13. Supporting STEM programs in K-12 education is more important than ever. I'll be interested to see what really meaningful things Apple does here that's not just lip service to the PC brigade.
Hiring solely for diversity's sake is a trap to be avoided. Hiring just to meet some "quota" or perceived "quota" can spell doom for organizations. It happens all the time.
Hire the best you can find and afford -- regardless of the growing long list of diversities: gender, race, religion, sex, nationality, age, shoe size, right-left handed, hair color, college attended, weight, height, eye color, mood swings, coffee drinker, weed habits...on and on and on ad infinitude.
The list and the endless body of the "diverse" can never be satisfied. Hire the best regardless. If not you will surely become mediocre. Then history.
Comments
He could've responded as he does when often asked about upcoming products... "We believe we have the best employees in our company's history and we're very excited about what our diverse culture of innovation will create next."
Always...ALWAYS talk about the product and dismiss self-serving detractors with their own agenda.
There are a lot of people who throw around the word "rights" in a very casual, careless way in this day and age. It actually has a specific meaning. I suggest brushing up on the language used in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights as a refresher.
So when 99.9999999% of the population is against your point of view, don't you think you may need to reconsider?
Argumentum ad populum. Therefore invalid.
It's a statement from Apple and the context is very clear.
If that's not what he meant to say Apple (and mr Cook) has an even bigger problem.
I would expect him to clarify this statement soon.
For example, the home depot barefootin commercial. Are you serious!?
It isn't 70 it's 55% (that's a very important issue, see my previous post).
You get rightly criticized when you are taking nonsense (see my previous post for an 'explanation').
Where do you get the numbers from (or is your name 99.9999999%)?
You should read my post again and then decide who's making stuff up.
You do not understand me.
And that's fine.
Indians have a nice way to end a discussion (so I've read): howgh.
What utter bullshit you spout.
You say, "He was disappointed with the results. What does that mean? Who knows (sic)."
I’ll tell you what it means. It means that he is in sop to the politically correct Orwellian brigade of mind police, who want to brainwash everyone into thinking that four legs good, two legs bad. In other words: I'm a white male and should feel very guilty of my dominant past; to make amends, I’ll pretend that I'm touchy-freely and am embarrassed by the stale, tired world of white male superiority. I will say that I'm unhappy with my current workforce and will pander to every pressure group in the name of liberal inclusiveness.
When what he needs to be saying is:
Get behind me, Satan.
HEADLINE: Cook happy with 70% White Male workforce
Do you not see how that would be a total PR nightmare?
Maybe, if someone was brain-dead enough to post something so blatantly idiotic. Try again, this time with a sane headline.
“If I say it enough, that will make it true!”
stop using an old lawyer trick - diversion stick to the topic, please.
The irony hurts.
Apple Says Its Workforce Is 70% Male
Diversity Data Mirrors That of Other Big Tech Companies; Cook: 'I'm Satisfied'
See, there’s nothing whatsoever wrong with that.
You really need to take a class on Public Relations.
“We’re doing just as well as anyone else in the industry and are representative of the country as a whole.”
“OH NO THIS IS HORRIBLE YOU ARE EVIL”
No one does this. Ever.
Non-threatening workplace? What is this, a creche? How the hell do you define 'non-threatening'? In my experience, adrenalin tends to focus the mind and make me perform a lot better.
Adrenaline and motivation can be achieved without intimidation, insults, derogatory remarks, and behaviors which foster and institutionalize discrimination and prejudice. Your account here on AI indicates a location in the UK, so it is understandable that you might have differing standards of conduct and ideas of what is acceptable in a professional workplace. There are certain laws here in the US which go beyond what some would consider necessary, but they are the laws nevertheless. But many companies find that surpassing the letter of the law is a strong force at maintaining a harmonious workplace. Allowing divisiveness and hostility within the ranks is just not acceptable.
Its a bigger pity that some people think those things don't already exist and need to be measured and regulated by a liberal government.
Its a bigger pity that most minorities aren't interested in doing what so many successful white men are. Because white men are so....white, and nerdy, with their good grades, and hard work, what a bunch of chumps. Who would wanna be like that?
hint:
The wealthy.
I really don't think this requires a response, because it is actually proving my point. I hope some day you will outgrow your prejudices.
And if you want to sell to a broader customer base, it's important to show that you are a good corporate citizen as well. Additionally, Apple sells world wide, as a world wide company, they need to be in touch with all cultures. The world has long since changed since colonial days.
I suppose not many people met her in person or listened to other works Angela Ahrends has accomplished.
That said, do you think it's time for Al Gore to ask Phil Schiller to leave Apple..? Phil might be the "Class Clown" and there for comic relief, but Steve Jobs is gone now. Who is he going to be the nightly clown to?
Jony Ive supported a campaign in the UK to make design and technology part of the curriculum in UK schools. In the United States we have Project Lead the Way (PLTW) which is a non-profit provider of STEM programs for high schools. Perhaps Apple could make a large grant donation to PLTW to help support schools with the cost of covering these programs? Tim Cook said the youngest developer at WWDC was 13. Supporting STEM programs in K-12 education is more important than ever. I'll be interested to see what really meaningful things Apple does here that's not just lip service to the PC brigade.
Not sure what that has to do with being a good corporate citizen nor the rest of the post...
Hiring solely for diversity's sake is a trap to be avoided. Hiring just to meet some "quota" or perceived "quota" can spell doom for organizations. It happens all the time.
Hire the best you can find and afford -- regardless of the growing long list of diversities: gender, race, religion, sex, nationality, age, shoe size, right-left handed, hair color, college attended, weight, height, eye color, mood swings, coffee drinker, weed habits...on and on and on ad infinitude.
The list and the endless body of the "diverse" can never be satisfied. Hire the best regardless. If not you will surely become mediocre. Then history.
Good To Great To Gone.
tjohn, TLCS-All Consultants.