An Inside Look at America's Most Secretive Company

Adam Lashinsky, author of new 'Inside Apple' book, shares some details on the secrecy at Apple, in a lengthy post on FORTUNE.

The new employees learn that first day of work that they've joined a different kind of company than any they've worked at before. Outside, Apple is revered. Inside, it is cultish, and neophytes are entrusted with only so much information. All new employees attend a half-day of orientation, always on a Monday -- unless Monday is a holiday. Much of the orientation is standard big-company stuff: a welcome package with stickers saying you've joined Apple, HR forms, and the like. Apple quickly makes the employees of the relatively few companies it acquires understand they are now part of the Apple family. Lars Albright, who became director of partnerships and alliances in Apple's iAd mobile-advertising business when Apple bought his startup, Quattro Wireless, recalled the delight when a bevy of shiny new iMacs showed up almost immediately following the close of the transaction: "People felt very quickly like you were part of something special," he said. Orientation Monday brings another rare treat. "There's only one free lunch at Apple, and it's on your first day," said a former employee.

You can continue reading Lashinsky's post at the link below or purchase the entire book for $16.92 from Amazon.


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