Tim Cook frankly on Apple’s weakness

Donald Trump’s (45th President of the United States) executive order (so called “the Muslim Ban”) made Apple’s CEO Tim Cook write a message to all his employees. The note became instantly popular and, generally, praised. Ninnete Murk claimed it is “brilliant” and called other CEOs “to follow suit” (BTW she put Saxon Genitive “CEO’s” in the original contribution, but I think it was a typo).

Apple believes in the importance of immigration and diversity

I wouldn’t call the message “brilliant”. I was rather surprised. Of course it is nothing surprising in statement that Apple believes deeply in the importance of immigration. The company itself is deeply embedded in the mainstream of American economy and nobody could expect its CEO to express disbelief in immigration. The same with diversity makes our team stronger. It would be against Apple's best interest. The high-tech companies struggle continuously to acquire relevant talents and skills. They need to look for them both among minorities (of any kind) and abroad. Mr. Cook, CEO of one of the most valuable global brands with no doubt support major achievements of globalization. They are, explicitly, minority rights and freedom of work force allocation.

How can Apple believe?

However, according to Mr. Cook, Apple believes in the importance of immigration to our nation’s future. It is surprising statement. How Apple can “believe” at first place? I know America enjoys legal concept of corporate personhood, but since when this lawyers’ trick makes corporation to believe? What’s more – how can Apple’s belief be effectively related to the Nation? It is paramount evidence of self-confidence, over common sense and any scientific evidence to seriously distribute such concepts. Anyway, it is maybe just rhetoric figure.

Apple is open. Really?

Mr Cook follows with Apple is open. Open to everyone, no matter where they come from, which language they speak, who they love or how they worship.  Leading the company famous of the most closed software/hardware ecosystem in the world (AKA Apple) one should be more cautious in using word “open”. Is Apple really open to everyone, including Android users? You know it is not. The openness of Apple is not unconditional. I think Apple is not more “open” or “close” than its peer companies in American tech sector. It shares the same needs (for multinational talents) and the same regulations (US regulatory framework).Tell me how its “better openness” is evidenced? I guess not by its CEO’s public confession about his sexual preferences. It would mean that companies with straight white male CEOs have no chance to be as open as Apple. This would create negative gender profiling of commercial entities. Remember that majority of companies are still led by those kind of managers.

Actually, the Muslim ban is a chance for Apple to be great again

Mr. Trump claims he wants to “Make America great again”. Well, according to Mr. Cook, the side effect of 45th President's effort could be Apple becoming great again, too. Apple would not exist without immigration, let alone thrive and innovate the way we do as it is stated in the message. There is plenty of opinions and bunch of evidence that innovative spirit of Apple is fading continuously. AppleWatch is not taking off as nicely as predicted; iPad pro is not a hit and iPhone keeps on copying competitors; it used to create new horizons. Current Apple innovation and thriving depends on free immigration (as Mr. Cook expressed). The immigration order, by stopping immigration, can stop the pathetic deterioration of those corporate virtues. Apple will have to find the way to innovate and thrive other, better way. Actually, it is a great news for every Apple stakeholders and fans all over the world. 

Last but not least – revealing sensitive information

Please read carefully again this exact quote of Mr. Cook’s message:

Tim Cook’s message to Apple’s employees (source Ninnete Murk)                 

Aren’t you surprised? The CEO of public listed company is revealing its strategic weakness. More than the weakness - its existential threat. He is openly speaking about critical resource his company needs to survive. Let me joke a bit: maybe this is the evidence for Apple being more “open” than other businesses? Apple desperately needs immigration, hard to argue. But there is something different to speculate there could be such limitation than hear it straight from the CEO. Guess if Apple’s stakeholders are happy about sharing such sensitive, confidential information with everybody? I don’t think they are. Maybe it’s time to rethink the game current Apple’s CEO is playing and if he wants to go politics - let him run in next presidential elections. If he wins he will be the 46th President of the United States. He can overturns current immigration order on the first week of his presidency. Until that happens he should rather focus on fighting Android than Mr. Trump.

Linguistic note:

Please help me improve my writing. Any comments concerning the language are welcome