Steve Jobs : Great idea doesn't always translates into great product

Summary

The speaker reflects on the misconception that a great idea is most of the work in creating a product, emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship and the collaborative effort of a talented team. By sharing a personal anecdote about polishing rocks, the speaker illustrates how teams refine and improve ideas through friction and shared passion, resulting in exceptional outcomes. The speaker also discusses the significant impact of having top-tier talent in a team, advocating for the pursuit of 'A' players to achieve the highest level of success.

Takeaways

• 💡 The misconception that a great idea is 90% of the work highlights the低估了 the importance of the execution and refinement process in turning an idea into a successful product.
• 🛠️ The transformation of an idea into a product involves significant craftsmanship, with the original concept evolving and adapting based on new insights and challenges.
• 🌟 The process of creating a product is akin to a team of talented individuals working together, each contributing their unique skills and perspectives to achieve a common goal.
• 🤖 The challenges of design and manufacturing include dealing with the limitations of materials, electronics, and the complexities of production processes.
• 🔄 The iterative nature of product development involves constant discovery and adaptation, requiring the integration of new problems and opportunities into the design process.
• 🌈 The magic of product development lies in the collective effort of a team, pushing boundaries and finding innovative ways to bring their vision to life.
• 👴 The story of the old man and the rock tumbler serves as a metaphor for the power of teamwork and passion in transforming raw, unpolished ideas into something beautiful and refined.
• 🏆 The significance of assembling a team of 'A' players who inspire and elevate each other's work, leading to an environment of excellence and high standards.
• 📈 The dynamic range between average and exceptional can be vast, especially in the realms of software and hardware, where the best can outperform the average by a significant margin.
• 🔎 The speaker's success stems from identifying and attracting top talent, and creating a culture that values and nurtures 'A' players to drive innovation and quality.

Q & A

What does the speaker describe as the 'disease' that hurt Apple after he left?

The 'disease' referred to is the misconception that a great idea constitutes 90 percent of the work, and that simply sharing this idea with others is enough for them to bring it to fruition. The speaker emphasizes the importance of the craftsmanship and the iterative process involved in transforming an idea into a great product.

What does the speaker suggest is often underestimated in the process of creating a product?

The speaker suggests that the tremendous amount of craftsmanship, the evolution of the idea, and the trade-offs that need to be made during the development process are often underestimated. These aspects involve understanding the limitations and possibilities of various materials and technologies, as well as the continuous learning and adaptation that occurs throughout the process.

How does the speaker describe the evolution of a great idea into a great product?

The speaker describes the evolution as a process where the idea changes and grows, never coming out exactly as it started. This is due to the learning and understanding that occurs during the development process, as well as the need to make trade-offs and adapt to the realities of materials, technology, and other constraints.

What metaphor does the speaker use to illustrate the power of a team working on a project they are passionate about?

The speaker uses the metaphor of a group of people polishing rocks together. Just as the rocks, when placed in a tumbler and left to rub against each other, come out polished and smooth, a team of talented individuals working together, sometimes with friction and noise, can polish each other's ideas and efforts to create something beautiful.

What was the speaker's early observation about the dynamic range between average and the best in various fields?

The speaker observed that in most fields, the difference between average and the best is typically a two-to-one ratio. However, in software and some areas of hardware, this dynamic range can be as much as 50 to one or even 100 to one, indicating a much greater disparity in quality and outcome.

How did the speaker build much of his success?

The speaker built his success by seeking out and hiring truly gifted individuals, known as 'A players'. He focused on not settling for 'B' or 'C' players, but instead aimed to create a team of 'A players' who would enjoy working with each other and raise the standard of the entire team.

What does the speaker mean when he says that the 'A players' don't want to work with 'B' or 'C' players?

The speaker means that highly talented and dedicated individuals, or 'A players', are often不愿意 to collaborate with those who are less committed or skilled, as it can hinder their work and the overall quality of the product or outcome.

How did the Mac team differ from other teams according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, the Mac team was unique because it was composed entirely of 'A players', who were extraordinarily talented individuals. These team members not only worked well together but also raised the bar for each other, leading to a self-policing environment where only more 'A players' were hired.

What is the significance of the speaker's story about the widowed man and the rock tumbler?

The story of the widowed man and the rock tumbler serves as a metaphor for the collaborative and transformative power of a team. Just as the rough rocks become smooth and polished through the friction and interaction within the tumbler, a team of passionate and talented individuals can refine and improve their ideas through collaboration and conflict, leading to exceptional outcomes.

What does the speaker imply about the role of individual symbols versus team effort in achieving success?

The speaker implies that while individuals can become symbols of certain achievements or ideas, true success is rarely the result of one person alone. It is the collective effort, the teamwork, and the synergy of many talented individuals working together that leads to the creation of great products and ideas.

How does the speaker describe the process of product development as it relates to problem-solving and opportunity discovery?

The speaker describes product development as an ongoing process of keeping numerous concepts in mind, fitting them together in new and different ways, and continuously discovering new problems or opportunities. This process requires adaptability, creativity, and a commitment to refining and improving the initial idea.