Who Why in the News

Cook was in India to inaugurate the first company-owned store in the country at Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex, popularly known as BKC. Cook also opened the second outlet of the country in a mall in New Delhi’s Saket on April 20. People across the country gathered to catch a glimpse of the celebrated CEO of Apple. Apple’s physical store has taken a long time to open in India, but its products have been available on e-commerce websites, while its online store opened in 2020.

Things you need to know about Tim Cook:

FULL NAME

Timothy Donald Cook

POSITION NOW

Tim Cook is the CEO of Apple and serves on its board of directors.

BEFORE BECOMING CEO

Before being named CEO in August 2011, Tim was Apple’s Chief Operating Officer and was responsible for all of the company’s worldwide sales and operations, including end-to-end management of Apple’s supply chain, sales activities, and service and support in all markets and countries. He also headed Apple’s Macintosh division and played a key role in the continued development of strategic reseller and supplier relationships, ensuring flexibility in response to an increasingly demanding marketplace.

Prior To Apple

Prior to joining Apple, Cook was Vice President of Corporate Materials for Compaq and was responsible for procuring and managing all of Compaq’s product inventory. Before his work at Compaq, he was the Chief Operating Officer of the Reseller Division at Intelligent Electronics. He also spent 12 years with IBM, most recently as director of North American Fulfillment where he led manufacturing and distribution functions for IBM’s Personal Computer Company in North and Latin America.

Education

Cook earned an MBA from Duke University, where he was a Fuqua Scholar, and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Auburn University.

APPLE’S BIGGEST ACQUISITION

Under Cook’s leadership, acquisition of “Beats Music” and “Beats Electronics” for $3 billion, in May 2014. Other acquisitions include that of Akonia Holographics and PullString.

THE FIRST PRODUCT ANNOUNCED DURING HIS PERIOD Apple watch

BORN ON

November 01, 1960

UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP

In 2018, Apple became the first $1 trillion company by market capitalisation. Just two years later, it reached $2 trillion in value.

Leadership Style

After Steve Jobs’ passing, Tim Cook is credited for maintaining the stability of Apple while growing the company to stratospheric heights. Cook’s management style involves organising teams with dedicated project managers. These leads spearhead the product vision from beginning to end, determining the financing, staff, and resources to see the project through. Under this management style, teams do not work in silos, but rather collaborate and communicate often. They also are given the time to ensure that the project is completed at its highest level, ensuring that the product is ready.