Money Can’t Fix Everything

In the wake of the  Music release, there seems to be a renewed narrative that says “Apple has ALL the money- why can’t they get everything right in the 1.0??”  

Not the first time this argument has been made.  In fact, it seems like every single criticism lately aimed at Apple attaches this red herring argument to it as if to say “if Apple would just open up the purse strings, they could have fixed or avoided this.”  The implication is that money fixes anything and since Apple has seemingly “infinite” money they somehow have infinite resources.

It’s bologna.  Pure bologna.  Because money can’t fix everything.  And Apple’s shortcomings are the perfect proof.

Most of Apple’s shortcomings are software related.  Buggy apps, incomplete features, or lagging-by-comparison cloud services.  These are problems that can’t be solved by infrastructure (which money can easily solve).  These issues require talented, experienced programers.  People with the knowledge and abilities to make it work.  And even IF you paid programers better than anyone else, that wouldn’t be enough.  Great performers- true Linchpins- aren’t motivated just by money alone.  So Apple’s dilemma is that what it needs money simply can’t buy.  It needs programers- quality, experienced, and willing programers.  And there’s no simple answer to that problem.

Apple employs around 20,000 people in Cupertino now; with plans for another 10k in the next few years.  They pay around $2 Billion a year in payroll.  Theses are INCREDIBLE numbers.  Here’s a comparison- the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando- the largest single-site employer in the US- has about 45k-50k employees. And those are by and large unskilled, hourly labor.  Apple is employing nearly as many programers and engineers!  The demands are incredible.

If all it took was money, Apple would have solved every problem it has 10x over by now.  But when the challenge is needing more talented people in specialized skills, you’re limited to what the market will bear. 

I’m sure Apple is doing everything they can to keep up, but let’s stop blaming “stinginess” as the reason.   Apple has always been willing to pay up for quality.  If money could fix this, I’m sure by now it would be fixed.

Criticize all you want, but don’t fuss about red herrings.  Money simply can’t fix everything.