The Greg McKeown Podcast 220. From Geek to Genius with Ron Johnson and Jeremy Utley (Part 1)
Aug 10, 2023
In this captivating discussion, Ron Johnson, the former senior VP at Apple and architect of the retail stores and Genius Bar, shares transformative moments with Steve Jobs that shaped his career. He delves into how meaningful conversations can impact personal and professional relationships. Ron reveals the challenges of fostering innovation at Apple and the pivotal shift towards a digital retail strategy. With anecdotes and insights, he highlights the importance of clarity in corporate communication and the art of building lasting connections.
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Initial Contact
- Steve Jobs reached out to Ron Johnson, a retail expert at Target, to help Apple create its retail stores.
- This was counterintuitive as Apple had low market share, and online retail was booming.
Why Johnson?
- Ron Johnson's design work at Target, particularly the Michael Graves collaboration, caught Steve Jobs's attention.
- Mickey Drexler, on Apple's board, likely recommended reaching out to Johnson.
Unconventional Hiring
- Johnson's first meeting with Jobs led to an unusual job offer.
- Jobs, impressed by Johnson's design thinking, hired him after their second meeting, despite an unimpressive initial assignment.
