5 CEOs Who Think Like Steve Jobs


#4 Jim Skinner, McDonald’s

James Alan Skinner is an American business executive. He was the Vice Chairman and CEO of McDonald's Corporation.

Skinner began his career with the food chain as a lowly restaurant manager trainee in Illinois about 40 years ago, and was not a founder, unlike Jobs who was the founder of Apple. But like Jobs, he was called upon to revitalize McDonald’s.

McDonald’s price in 2000 to 2003 was plummeted from a high above $33 to around $13. The company was struggling under many negative perceptions — unhealthy food and poor working conditions among them. But thanks to Skinner who was named CEO in 2004, McDonald’s stock is now at about $87 per share and is considered as a healthy food chain too.

In his efforts to revitalize the company, his main plan is to refocus on the customer. The menu got healthy. The Dollar Menu was added. The 24-hour drive-through window, the McCafe line of coffee, Wi-Fi access points and the first major store redesign since in 1970s was designed to win back customer loyalty. And it worked big-time.

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