We had worked together on a Nike-Apple collaboration called Nike . So we took what Apple knows and Nike knows, and brought new technology to the market. Anyway, long story short, he said, “Congratulations. It’s great [that you’ve been named CEO]. You’re going to do a great job.” I said, “Well, do you have any advice?”
He said, “No, no, you’re great.” Then there was a pause. “Well, I do have some advice,” he said. “Nike makes some of the best products in the world—products that you lust after, absolutely beautiful stunning products. But you also make a lot of crap.”
He said, “Just get rid of the crappy stuff, and focus on the good stuff.” And then I expected a little pause and a laugh. But there was a pause, and no laugh at the end.