iBlackeye or Not?

Apple and its CEO Steve Jobs, in particular, are being iCriticized by some customers, stakeholders, bloggers and a few reporters over the company’s decision to drop the price of the iPhone by $200. Some pundits are saying it’s a strategic misstep and a poor way to treat loyal customers. Maybe … maybe not. I think it’s a clever move.

Read the open letter from Steve Jobs on Apple’s Web site. In my view, it is the mark of an authentic corporate leader to clearly and transparently explain why a decision was made. In fact, in today’s corporate world, it’s bordering on unprecedented. He is offering a fair store credit of $100 to customers, he explains his decision, and he’s sticking by it. I respect him for that. And, it will get people back into the Apple stores to buy something else, using the $100 credit.

You would never get that level of candor and class and smarts from Dell. But, then, Dell is not in the same class as Apple, as a company or a product or a customer service provider … at least in my opinion and from my experience.