Have a look at this comparison of introductory statement from Tim Cook and Kazuo Hirai. In Cook's, there is Apple's company mission front and center
delight our customers.
In Hirai's, we see something straight out of the Maximizing Shareholder Value playbook:
...drive the growth of our core electronics businesses...
...turn around the television business...
...create new business domains.
Perhaps Mr. Hirai truly understands how to change Sony's path. Because here's the comparative paths the two companies have been on in terms of shareholder value for the last three years:
There was a time—and this was many years ago—when Sony made spectacular products. Everything was just a pleasure to use. But then, maybe 15 years ago, the design and overall quality of their products just went off a cliff. My guess is somewhere along the line, Sony's approach to being successful changed from simply making great products to the kinds of priorities described by Mr. Hirai.
If history is a guide, it doesn't bode well for Sony's future.