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Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff shared how his 1984 internship in Apple’s Macintosh division shaped his leadership style and entrepreneurial vision during a recent interview on the Remarkable People podcast. This early professional experience provided the billionaire founder with foundational insights into corporate culture and technical scaling.
From Teenage Entrepreneur to Apple Intern
Before joining Apple, Benioff had already established himself as an entrepreneur. At the age of 15, he founded Liberty Software, a venture dedicated to creating and selling Atari games. It was through this business that he first connected with Guy Kawasaki, who was then serving as a software evangelist for Apple’s Macintosh division.
While attending the University of Southern California, Benioff remained determined to secure a position at Apple. Following persistent communication with Kawasaki, the then 19-year-old was hired for the summer of 1984.
Defining the Apple Culture of the 1980s
Technical Roles and Corporate Vitality
During his internship at Apple, Benioff was responsible for writing assembly language examples for developers. He credits this period as the environment where he learned the mechanics of running a high-performance technology business.
In a recent episode of the Remarkable People podcast, Kawasaki interviewed Benioff regarding the lasting impact of that summer. Benioff explained that the experience was instrumental in his development as an entrepreneur.
“I learned, while being at Apple, that a technology company, a great one, is filled with amazing energy, vitality and a sense of urgency,” Benioff stated.
Workplace Environment and Employee Wellness
Benioff also highlighted the progressive corporate culture established by Steve Jobs. He noted that the office provided Odwalla juices for all employees and employed shiatsu masseurs to assist programmers in the hallways, maintaining a focus on physical well-being alongside technical output.
The Lasting Influence of Steve Jobs
The relationship between the two tech leaders continued long after the summer of 1984. Steve Jobs transitioned from an employer to a long-term mentor for Benioff. In the early 2000s, when Benioff sought guidance on the growth of Salesforce, he went to Jobs for advice.
Jobs provided a specific directive that would shape Benioff’s executive philosophy: “Marc,” Jobs exclaimed, “if you want to be a great CEO, be mindful and project the future.”
Image Credit: Salesforce
