Pirates of Silicon Valley

Case: Pirates of the Silicon Valley

Pirates of the Silicon Valley tells the story of the challenging beginnings of Apple and Microsoft, which are two of the most influential companies today. The movie depicts the events behind Steve Jobs and Bill Gates’ relationship as they worked to make a personal computer. This film, directed by Martyn Burke, directly shows the truth behind the innovations and technologies so common in this day and age. Pirates of the Silicon Valley brings a biographical perspective into the personalities, tactics, and strategies made by both Apple and Microsoft. The timeline of events exemplifies the external and internal innovation processes behind each firm and individual.

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates used both internal and external innovation processes throughout the creation of their technologies. Jobs primarily worked internally as seen throughout his extreme personality working effectively in his garage. Jobs and Wozniak began their careers making a device that allowed individuals to make calls for free by utilizing similar frequencies of a cereal box and telephone. After legal issues, Jobs teamed up with Wozniak to become first movers in the development of personal computers. They worked to revolutionize technology as a whole through changing the perspectives and norms of society. The two worked together strategically within the internal innovation process by the balance of attributes.

Jobs needed Wozniak’s technical abilities and computer manufacturing expertise, while Wozniak needed Jobs’ motivation and dream like attitude behind the personal computer. Steve Jobs exemplifies the ability to be creative by continually internally innovating. Jobs’ seemed somewhat excessive, as he wanted everyone within Apple to work as he did and with his mentality. This was seen through his persistence to demand 90-hour workweeks and complete brilliance at all times. However, Jobs displayed a need for guidance to run a company as he...