The CEO Diary with Fexingo · 2026-07-27 · 7 min
When Tim Cook took over as CEO of Apple in 2011, most eyes were on how he would follow Steve Jobs. But Cook's true genius lay in the supply chain. In this episode, we unpack how he turned operational excellence into a strategic moat - from negative cash conversion cycles to vertical integration with Apple Silicon. We explore specific moves like securing long-term flash memory contracts, the shift to in-house chips, and how Cook's data-driven leadership style created a company that can deliver millions of devices on time with industry-leading margins. Along the way, we discuss whether Cook gets enough credit for Apple's resilience, and what other CEOs can learn from his focus on the machine behind the magic. #Business #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #CEO #Leadership #Apple #TimCook #SupplyChain #Operations #Innovation #Services #VerticalIntegration #AppleSilicon #CashConversionCycle #InventoryManagement #StrategicLeadership #CorporateStrategy #Tech Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
Other episodes covering the same guests and topics, from across The B2B Podcast Index.
The Mattress Brand That Built Its Own Supply Chain From ScratchShopify Masters · on Vertical integration85 / 100
Supply Chain Reality from a Major Forest Products ImporterEverything is Logistics · on Vertical integration85 / 100
Breaking new ground in fintech by reducing payment friction for SaaS companies with Capchase CEO Miguel Fernandez LarreaFintech Thought Leaders · on Cash conversion cycle82 / 100
Corporate Finance Explained | Cost of Goods SoldFinPod · on Vertical integration78 / 100
Van Zyl Botha on connecting the unconnected through fibre expansionWhat's Next with Aki Anastasiou · on Vertical integration77 / 100
EP225: Why Intentional Investing Beats Chasing Every Real Estate Opportunity - Dani Lynn RobisonThe Wealth Flow · on Vertical integration73 / 100
How Jorgen Vig Knudstorp Saved LEGO from the Brick52 / 100How Indra Nooyi Remade PepsiCo for the Long Term70 / 100How Pixar Saved Itself from Disney and Then Saved Disney73 / 100How Ford CEO Jim Farley Bet the Company on EVs with a Fleet of Mustangs76 / 100
How Nvidia Reinvented Its Business Model Twice65 / 100