Teddy Bear CEO

Much speculation about Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, joining the Apple Board. Is an Apple-Google alliance to take on Microsoft? Or is it merely, nothing?

Let’s rewind the history channel a few years. Larry Page and Sergei Brin were “forced” to recruit an outside CEO for Google to ensure adult supervision for the then infant Google. Silicon Valley legend goes, Larry and Sergei decided upon a guy whom they could control. (Needless to say, I am not going to disclose sources!) Eric Schmidt stayed out of the limelight, let the two founders have their way, and enjoyed his Billions that were included as perks. Larry and Sergei turned out to be brilliant entrepreneurs, so no one complained.

Another story. What happens at the Apple Board Meetings? “What color is the next iPod going to be, Steve?” is the level of discussion. Steve Jobs doesn’t have any desire to be challenged by his Board, and in any case, has such a clear vision of where he wants to go, that the Board is constantly in awe of him. Eric Schmidt, who has so far been happy to be a wall-flower at Google, will probably be not much more at Apple.

Google and Apple are two companies run by their extremely competent and visionary Founders. All this speculation around Eric Schmidt, therefore, is unnecessary and redundant.