Which Tech Company Should Hire Scott Forstall? [Let's Talk]

Buster

Even though he was fired from Apple yesterday, Scott Forstall will still be an Apple employee until some point in 2013 while working as an advisor to Tim Cook. His new position is really just to prevent him from jumping ship quickly and going to another company, but Apple can't keep him forever. At some point in 2013, Scott Forstall will be free to join any company he chooses. So which company should he go to?

Forstall's brother works for Microsoft, but Scott's penchant for skeuomorphic software might not fit well with Microsoft's Metro UI. Google and Samsung are two other obvious choices because they're big competitors with Apple. Or Forstall could choose to create his own company like Tony Fadell did with Nest after he left Apple. What company do you think would be the best fit for Scott?

nikond100

I think you are assuming far too much... Where does it state anywhere that Scott Forstall has been fired?
Checking the press release from Apple it states
"Apple announced that Scott Forstall will be leaving Apple next year and will serve as an advisor to CEO Tim Cook in the interim".
Being 'Fired' is immediate isn't it?....
Is he not simply serving his notice?...
If he had handed in his notice then from Apples point of view he should be taken off key projects for the most obvious reasons!..
I dare say he did have his difference of opinions with other key people at Apple - You only have to read sections out of the Steve Jobs biography to understand that. Like most creative people they will always throw toys out of the pram thats how things get done in the real world sometimes.
My worry isn't so much losing Scott Forstall its they are putting too much workload on others key players of Apple. Part of these changes involve Jony Ive, Bob Mansfield, Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi adding more to their current responsibilities. This could have a detrimental effect and I feel they need to think very carefully.

As for where Scott Forstall will go?.... Samsung... Without a doubt
Going to Microsoft will be even more frustrating for him... In fact anyone to be frank.

nikond100

I think you are assuming far too much... Where does it state anywhere that Scott Forstall has been fired?
Checking the press release from Apple it states
"Apple announced that Scott Forstall will be leaving Apple next year and will serve as an advisor to CEO Tim Cook in the interim".
(see full Apple release) apple.com/uk/pr/library/2012/10/29Apple-Announces-Changes-to-Increase-Collaboration-Across-Hardware-Software-Services.html
Being 'Fired' is immediate isn't it?....
Is he not simply serving his notice?...
If he had handed in his notice then from Apples point of view he should be taken off key projects for the most obvious reasons!..
I dare say he did have his difference of opinions with other key people at Apple - You only have to read sections out of the Steve Jobs biography to understand that. Like most creative people they will always throw toys out of the pram thats how things get done in the real world sometimes.
My worry isn't so much losing Scott Forstall its they are putting too much workload on others key players of Apple. Part of these changes involve Jony Ive, Bob Mansfield, Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi adding more to their current responsibilities. This could have a detrimental effect and I feel they need to think very carefully.

As for where Scott Forstall will go?.... Samsung... Without a doubt
Going to Microsoft will be even more frustrating for him... In fact anyone to be frank.

Whodakat

Scott is the most like Steve Jobs. Steve didn't get bitter and go work for IBM when he got fired, he created NeXt and proved the way he wanted to take Apple was the right way. Look for something similar with Scott. People like him don't go work for another boss, they start their own companies.

thegraphicmac

No, he's been fired. And I highly doubt he'll be going to Samsung, Google, Microsoft, RIM, Nokia, or any other tech company that has any involvement with phones. Ever hear of Non-Compete contracts? They generally survive your employment by one to two years.

technochick

thegraphicmac said:

No, he's been fired. And I highly doubt he'll be going to Samsung, Google, Microsoft, RIM, Nokia, or any other tech company that has any involvement with phones. Ever hear of Non-Compete contracts? They generally survive your employment by one to two years.

If they are enforceable and in Cali they basically aren't.

They are keeping him on the official payroll but away from upcoming products and plans long enough that anything he knows will be live and he'll know nothing of worth.

As for companies, the man was said to be a total asshat so he should go to Microsoft and start a bromance with Ballmer. It will be love at first sight

site7000

Non-compete contracts are notoriously difficult to enforce and in fact impossible in California. That's why the consulting contract was used. I'm sure he's being paid a ton to not work somewhere else. After the consulting, I see him starting his own company because he'll want to be in charge.

Overall, I think the reorg was spot on. I hate it when companies completely change the way divisions are organized. Apple didn't do that. They clarified and streamlined. As for overworking the team, I think the Gang of Six under Cook (plus finance, legal and operations VPs) is probably enough, but it always depends on the people. I wonder if this whole thing was started by Mansfield's "retirement" and the promises made to get him to stay.

Matthew Gonzales Landry

I think he'll start his own company or maybe go somewhere where he can do the most damage to Apple. Rising HP from the dead would hurt Apple.

cuong_economist

I hope he will continue to devote to Apple bcz leaving a talent and insider to another competitor is terrible.

wizbang_fl

@nikond100 Forstall for all intensive purposes is being shown the door. In the CEO, VP world organizations rarely just terminate someone immediately because of the impacts to the current project, employee morale, and shareholder impression. The only exception is due to some catastrophic event where it's better to get them out immediately. @technochick has a good point about keeping him until inside info on current projects are no longer a concern.

Using a transitional approach is more of a official "hand off" so the appearance of an organized transition is maintained. Also may explain why iTunes 11 is still not released.
Starting to think that iTunes 11 may not come out until Q1 2013.

nixsharma

He should start his own company