There was a time when the field of new technology was nothing more than an infant industry, with only a few explorers laying tracks and dreaming up solutions. Tech Titans like Apple, Amazon, and Facebook were virtually nonexistent when they were tiny startups in garages, dorm rooms, or even basements.
But today, every one of these global Tech Titan, these companies pushing further and faster than anyone in history, from small startups to world-sized monoliths in mere decades, is the guts driving innovation, future technology, and our literal future.
So, how did they pull that off? Well, simple – with the creative minds of optimistic leaders. The people who can see past what is, to what could be, who imagine the possibilities and then put it all into motion. Yes, just like in a Hollywood movie if you prefer! In fact, some of the films were based on such stories. Does something like “The Social Network” come to mind?
It’s no secret that success stories are all around, motivating and amazing to hear. Every time we listen to stories like the ones you’re about to discover, there’s always something to learn!
1: Jeff Bezos – Amazon
He is not a self-made man by any to be called that name, Amazon is also not a company of his own making. Back in 1994 his parents gave Bezos $250 thousand as start-up funds, so we owe them this. But one should give credit where credit’s due. From a small online bookstore to a global giant that would bring about an online shopping revolution, changing forever where we do our daily shopping, this is truly the stuff legends are made of! It’s where he began.
But Bezos himself, too is an interesting figure. His career has gone from computing and futuristic technologies to business. What he is actually famous for, though, is his bold vision- to build a company that would be the world’s most customer-centric business. He aimed to assemble a vast array of goods at a low price and ship them quickly and reliably. To do this he used new technologies such as e-commerce. So here we have a point that calls for praise.
Yet it ran into problems, notably labor exploitation and monopoly problems; both of them were negative for both the company and Bezos himself. It was no surprise that when the news broke a few weeks ago that Bezos was going to propose in space, everyone was ecstatic. The internet started to flood with memes!
However, despite such controversies, this young startup became the world’s biggest online merchant. All thanks to Jeff Bezos’ extraordinary leadership, both innovative and exacting. He tends to inspire his team to experience, take risks and reach beyond limits. Without his pursuit of new technology or desire for excellence, none of this greatness could have been achieved.
2: Steve Jobs – Apple
That’s the thing – You have to realize that Apple is more than just about their products! It’s also about the man who orchestrated it all — a man as genius, visionary and outcast. Steve Jobs had a rocky career, with plenty of successes and failures. As all things should be. In reality, it was Steve Jobs’ failure that succeeded in making him who he became!
Early success: When he co-founded the startup – Apple — back in 1976, with its breakthrough computer the Apple II. He was ultimately ousted in a power struggle in 1985. It wasn’t long before Jobs launched his venture, NeXT, and Pixar Animation Studios, before he went on to rejoin Apple in 1997. He not only saved Apple from bankruptcy in ‘97, but steered the company to new heights with innovative technology and high-demand smart devices. iPod, iPhone and iPad ring any bells to anyone in the world!
However, throughout his career, Jobs had been famous for maniacal attention to detail, design panache and papal devotion and vision to craft. He was a perfectionist! That’s how you’d describe him best — and many people called him that. In his mind, not only would he be the best in everything that he did and with every startup that he built but also the team would have to. And it worked!
“I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the unsuccessful ones is pure perseverance. Steve Jobs stated.
Dedication and hard work is what I consider set Jobs apart – and he tried to bring this attitude out in everyone on his team. That’s why, despite several failed attempts in his professional life (he was even fired from the company that he started with), he felt that more than anything else to be successful is “…just about having staying power.” To keep going and not give up when things don’t turn out the way it should. And amazingly enough, it was Jobs’ vision and new technology that brought Apple to the global empire it is now.
And more than that, Jobs’s partners over the years helped Apple achieve what it did. Or, to think back, Steve Wozniak (at first) and his ultimate successor, Tim Cook. And that’s not enough! And the company of designers, engineers, and marketers who helped turn his ideas into tangible products (and the customers who went on to buy Apple’s products) all played a role in the story!
3: Mark Zuckerberg – Facebook
But of course, it started as a social networking site for college students and also that they could rate girls on. Still, the story of Facebook is one of those that we would feel confident taking on. From betrayal to influence, it’ s a story of big ideas that didn’t come easily to such small people after all. It even provided the basis for a Hollywood film. We cannot emphasize enough, the Social Network by David Fincher tells us all about Facebook, and Jesse Eisenberg makes an unbeatable Zuckerberg!
However, Facebook’s meteoric rise to a global powerhouse is still a proud story in the history of success. No one back then could possibly have foreseen that a business founded in a Harvard dorm room would grow to become among society’s most influential and powerful companies. But Facebook changed and even created an entire industry: more than 2.7 billion people are active monthly in some way or other on its platforms. Almost one half of the World’s entire population still finds themselves on Facebook!
Oh, yes – the tale of the startup was that it rose up fast, prospered greatly but in an unexpected way came crashing down hard on its head as well. But those consequences ranged from the Cambridge Analytica scandal to charges of disseminating disinformation and contributing to political divisiveness. Yes, it’ s a lot for a company. But that is one of the reasons Facebook remains imprinted in people’s minds. Despite all the scandals, a huge part of the world’s population is still on Facebook! This is the power of a well-conceived social network.
Obviously, Zuckerberg himself is a complex character. He has been represented as a leader with an unusual leadership style and unpopular opinions on free speech. By the way, could we also say that he tramples over dead bodies to get what he wants? We’re a bit dramatic. But the same also happened to Eduardo Saverin, the Winklevoss Twins and their partner at Facebook! That is the tale of Facebook.
