Apple Store San Francisco

The transfigured startup phases and revolution of many technology and Internet companies undoubtedly go slowly to the end. Companies, from Microsoft, mySpace on Facebook and Google, and Apple currently, get this feeling. It turns out that many business leaders have not prepared for these times.

Apple was the underdog for many years and thus the good David, who took the field against the all-powerful Goliath of Microsoft. Like no other, Steve Jobs is a manager of the technological vision is with an understanding of the needs of users and successful marketing strategies.

Like the Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg with his assessment of " the times of privacy are over ", and Steve Jobs has become evident that his statements do not always achieve only positive effects. They show these entrepreneurs - even though they were able to celebrate your great successes with social media, viral marketing and the end customer loyalty - an astonishing amount of naivete even as she storms Twitter or PR meltdown may cause.

Currently Apple is particularly important because of its supplier Foxconn in the criticism. This produced in China Shengzen iPods, iPhones and the new iPad. After several lives were lost due to suicide, not just Foxconn, but also give Apple has been criticized. While initially, the California company a study initiated, Foxconn has also worked with multiple wage increases responding .

Again, it was Steve Jobs, who himself only magnified the problem properly because he an interview at the D8 Conference was "All Things Digital" on the subject. With reference to existing restaurants and swimming pools on the factory premises Steve Jobs said, among other

For a factory, it's pretty nice

One of the consequences that followed from that statement were rich keep comments on Twitter and other social media services, the Apple criticized then. This culminated today one of the most famous Apple stores in San Francisco at the Ellis / Stockton Street, in a typical demonstration of the United States. Unlike in Europe, where demonstrations are organized rather than flash mobs, where a group of 3 to several dozen activists build up in front of stores and gain there with signs and megaphones hearing.

Under the title "I Want an iPad but at what costs?" Thereby organized the Chinese Progressive Association today such a demonstration. The demonstration distributed leaflets and held signs with phrases such as "Tell Apple you care" and with names of deceased employees high. It was also formed quickly in front of the Apple Store a group of onlookers who also photographed this same demonstration. Much headwind for Apple is probably worth some residents and tourists a photo.

Under representation of iPads under the name "DeathPad" the CPA San Francisco referred to the working conditions at Foxconn. She pointed out that the daily working at Foxconn were be 12 hours, and all employees under age 25 are.

The organization called for explicitly with reference to the remarks of Steve Jobs, visitors to the Apple stores to support them. They suggested the display in the Apple Store iPads to use to send to sjobs@apple.com an e-mail to interact with the prompt on Foxconn to change the business practices and to promote the formation of democratically elected union at Foxconn.

It should be mentioned here that the CPA does not include the leaflet with a maximum demand, but Apple tells:

Work with Foxconn to keep the factory open but Improve working conditions in China

It remains that even before that company sizes are not immune to difficult situations by their own statements. Apple shows that with its dispute with Adobe and Steve Jobs public support of Foxconn too well, but it is and will certainly not be the only case. The PR consultant and crisis manager should have found in technology and Internet companies a new target group. ( FS )