NEW YORK (AP) — As CEOs, Sam Walton, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs possessed common traits. Their companies also faced similar challenges when their iconic leaders left the helm.
Wal-Mart, post Walton, has grown while carrying on with many of his traditions, including the hokey Wal-Mart cheer. Microsoft carefully orchestrated Gates’ departure over a two-year period to dampen the shock, but has since struggled to innovate. And now Apple is grappling with how to continue without Jobs, who after battling with health issues announced Wednesday he would step down and Tim Cook would run the company.
How Apple will fare without Jobs remains to be seen. But companies like Microsoft and Wal-Mart can provide some clues.
