Apple Alums – A “Class” Unto Ourselves and an Education and Collaboration for a Lifetime

Not long ago the LA Times ran an article about an executive training program at Apple called Apple University.  This was one of Steve Job’s most poignant legacy projects – literally how he hoped to continue his presence, in the company he founded, long after he left this realm. Apple University is the program where Apple literally educates its executives on how to embrace the oft-referenced “Apple DNA” and think like Steve Jobs himself.

Contrary to what the LA Times might think, however, the idea of educating and inspiring its people to open their minds and access their unique DNA is not a new endeavor at Apple.  Far from it, in fact; during my tenure, I was part of the Apple MBA program. Only a handful of Apple employees were privileged to be part of that experience – a fully-accredited MBA program paid for by Apple, run on the Apple campus and offered during work hours. Apple’s commitment to inspiring the best thinking in their leaders has always been remarkable.

Steve spared no expense creating AppleUniversity, tapping Joel Podolny, the former Yale Business School dean, to head up the effort, help Apple to continue to break the sound barrier and create its most difficult achievement yet, surviving the loss of Steve Jobs – a man who has become almost cult-like in his brand and contribution. In the 35 years since it was incorporated, Apple has become much more than a success story.  It is the star all other great inventors shoot for. At Apple, we didn’t just write the next chapter, we threw away the book and created something mind blowing and world changing.

In addition to my MBA, like all Apple Alums, I’ve experienced some of the best collaborations in my life on that campus.  What makes THAT kind of success and teamwork even possible? A lot of people have tried to answer that question – even Steve Jobs himself.  It is what Apple University hopes to discover, define, REfine and replicate in future employees. “The idea is to take what is unique about Apple and create a forum that can impart that DNA to future generations of Apple employees,” shared a former Apple exec who spoke anonymously in order to preserve his relationship with the company. “No other company has a university charged with probing so deeply into the roots of what makes the company so successful.” As Apple Alums we’ve actually LIVED what they hope to replicate…

As an Apple alum, I have to admit that it’s thrilling – one of the most important “inventions” to come out of Apple, in fact. You see, there’s a magic that continues among us Alums, and an uncommon connection that allows us to continue building amazing, powerful collaborations sometimes decades after our tenure at Apple.   And it’s something I hope to continue to keep alive and inspire in other alums.

It’s my own legacy project: To help those who share that Apple DNA to reconnect to the incredible talent base that Apple attracted and continue the conversation, the collaboration and the success.

To bring to life in 2012, a powerful, collaborative program designed to create synergy and stratospheric results.  As an Apple Alum, I know that the sky is literally the limit!

All the best,

Kelli Richards
President and CEO
The All Access Group, LLC