Not long ago, in an open letter to shareholders, Cook lowered the revenue guidance for the first quarter, which caused Apple's share price to plummet by 1%, and the enterprises in the whole iPhone industry chain suffered. In addition, the weak sales of new iPhones and the ban on the sale of old iPhones made a terrible atmosphere for a time, which was full of sorrow, but some recent news brought infinite hope. For example, Apple announced its financial report for the whole year of 218, with revenue reaching $265.5 billion and profit reaching $59.5 billion, both reaching new heights. At the same time, it held $237.1 billion in cash, which also brought astronomical income to CEO Cook, totaling $15.7 million, in recognition of his contribution in the past year. More significantly, Cook's total income only ranked fifth in Apple, behind his COO/.
According to Chinese understanding, the person with the highest position and power often has the highest salary, and often comes to be a "rich man in the world" and becomes a local tyrant. In contrast, the modern enterprise system in the west has gradually removed the "emperor". No one can be an emperor, and everyone no longer seeks to be an emperor. Everything is decided by the board of directors, and the salary is naturally confirmed according to the personal contribution. Apple's legal adviser is estimated to be very busy now. After all, some patent hooligans are really shameless!
Why does the most powerful and well-known CEO Cook earn less than a legal adviser? There may be discussions about equity incentives, but the real fact is that for Cook, Jeff and Williams, it is meaningless to discuss the level of income. After all, they are already at the top of the pyramid and have entered the stage of self-realization. As for Cook, the money he earned in the past few years has already helped him achieve financial freedom. Moreover, Cook has publicly announced that he has come out. There is only one nephew to be raised. Obviously, it is difficult for ordinary people to understand such a life, but it is quite common for people at the top of the pyramid. They are far superior to ordinary people in their vision, thoughts and mobilized resources, so that they will not be limited to basic life such as "making money, wife, children and hot kang".
Obviously, Cook's life goal is not just "having a child and getting a dog". He is trying to change the electronic industry chain around the world. In fact, the iPhone industry chain built by him is a classic: the manufacturing of parts and components is concentrated in Asia, including TSMC, Samsung, Sharp, Lansi Technology, etc. At the same time, the most central position is selected for assembly and OEM, so the iPhone Town of Foxconn and Pegatron came into being. In addition, Cook has built a powerful data acquisition system to thoroughly monitor the quality of suppliers, together with confidentiality contracts and delivery terms, which has caused the deepest "inner fear" to suppliers for a long time. This is why Apple has always been able to rule the industrial chain. I believe that Cook, a superb means, has long been selected as an MBA case. Just as Jobs reinvented the mobile phone, Cook rebuilt the electronic manufacturing industrial chain and ecosystem, and his achievements in life are by no means comparable to money.
Poverty, talent and environment may limit our imagination, but life is inherently hierarchical. It is a false proposition to evaluate people at the top of the pyramid with ordinary people's thinking.