By Tian DuBelko
Tim Cook announced Apple’s intention to create more U.S. manufacturing jobs. (Source: Mad Money On CNBC)
Apple CEO Tim Cook recently sat down with CNBC’s Jim Cramer of “Mad Money” and discussed Apple’s new focus to create U.S.-based manufacturing jobs.
He also dished some juicy business knowledge for innovators and leaders.
Join us as we dissect Cook’s interview and run down the highlights.
Customers First
During the interview, Cook discussed how he didn’t worry about naysayers when the company’s stock fell last year. “I care very much about our users, and I strongly believe that if they’re happy over the long term, other things will take care of itself. And so we had a lot of confidence and it’s good to be here today,” he said.
“But we don’t really look at the stock, you know? Because for us, it’s about the long term. And so we’re very much focused on long-term shareholder value, but not the short term kind of stuff.”
Benefit Others
Cook also stressed the importance of using your position to benefit others in need, specifically in creating jobs. “A lot of people ask me, ‘Do you think it’s a company’s job to create jobs?’ and my response is [that] a company should have values because a company is a collection of people. And people should have values, so by extension, a company should. One of the things you do is give back,” Cook said.
“People should have values, so by extension, a company should [too].”
“So how do you give back? We give back through our work in the environment, in running the company on renewable energy. We give back in job creation.”
Two Million Jobs
Apple has already created two million jobs in the United States. But Cook wants to leverage his post as CEO to bring even more jobs to American workers. “We ask ourselves, ‘How can we increase it further? How can we create even more?'” he said. “We’re not satisfied with just two million. And so you can bet we’re going to be hiring thousands of employees in the future.”
Despite a brief slump, Apple now appears to be on the upswing. The tech giant posted quarterly revenue of $52.9 billion earlier this month and is doubling down on job creation with this announcement. There is no doubt Apple is an attractive employer at the moment, and they are among the highest-paying companies for interns as well.
One Billion Dollars
Cook also said that Apple is putting $1 billion towards an advanced manufacturing fund for jobs in the U.S. He believes that these manufacturing jobs will lead to more job creation and revenue. “If we can create many manufacturing jobs around, those manufacturing jobs create more jobs around them because you have a service industry that builds up around them.”
Staying Humble
During the interview, Cook also mentioned how lucky he felt to be Apple CEO. Cook became Steve Jobs’ successor when Jobs resigned in 2011.
“I love it. You know, there’s no bigger privilege in the world than to work at this company at this moment in time. And to be able to work with all the great people I get to work with every day,” he said.
“It was beyond my wildest imagination,” Cook said about being named CEO, “and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t thank God for it.”
