Now let’s thing through the differences between new releases from Facebook and new releases from Apple. Facebook changes interface, users groaned and threaten revolt. Apple changes interface and offers new items… users camp out in front of store to buy latest gadget.
So, what is the difference? Well in some ways, this is an unfair comparison. Apple is a device and Facebook is a website. An Apple customer has more choice on whether to make the change than a Facebook user. If an Apple user hates the new Apple offering they stay with what they have. But even with that said, I strongly believe that we can learn from comparing and contrasting the two.
Let me start by giving the similarity. Both companies have a powerful CEO whose DNA infuses the entire organization. [Ok, all of you reading are going to catch a technical mistake here. The CEO in Apples case is no longer in place because Steve Jobs resigned recently to tend to his health. BUT, the organization is still completely infused with his leadership so my point remains.] In the form of Mark Zuckerburg and Steve Jobs (see not above), both organizations have a hands on boss that watches and handles all releases.
Now the difference… for Facebook, that vision has always been toward a world as Mark Zuckerburg sees it. If you look at every at the history of the privacy issues users have had with Facebook time after time it has come down to the fundamental difference between the way the world sees privacy and the way Mark Zuckerberg sees privacy. He led the company in the direction he believed was right…. not necessarily where his customers wanted to go.
For Apple, it is a different story. Apple has always had a laser focus on what the customer wants and how new features will benefit the user. Even the explanation of features of apple products are always verbalized from a user perspective. So the question is, which approach works better?
I should mention that as I read this, I am watching coverage of the F8 conference where Facebook announces its latest changes. My words above reflect the history before today. Does today change it all? Let’s see…
~e