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Barrett knows Intel inside and out. He spent the past 32 years steadily rising through the ranks of the microprocessor maker. Starting off as a technology development manager before becoming Intel's chairman of the board last year.
Craig Barrett: I think it takes a lot of luck, first of all, to, to have the opportunity, and I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity in Intel. But, I think it's necessary that you. . . in the high-tech industry you love the technology.
Such is a product called VIIV. It's designed to simplify the process of sharing digital entertainment around the home. Barrett hopes innovations like this will give Intel the muscle to beat its 2005 revenue of 38 billion dollars by upwards of 6 to 9 percent in 2006.
Craig Barrett: But I think it also helps to work at a company that has a very strong culture, in taking the risks to bring new technology to the marketplace.
Steve Jobs: We announced that we were going to shift to using Intel processors.
An assist from Apple Computer shouldn't hurt either.
Craig Barrett: We've been trying to get the Apple design for 20 years and we've gone through about four Intel CEOs knocking on Apple's door to get that design and then finally, Paul Otellini our current CEO was able to meet a. . meeting of the minds with Steve Jobs.
The result - roughly an additional 4% market share for Intel. And perhaps more importantly an alliance with one of the world's leading consumer electronics companies.
Craig Barrett: Apple is very interesting. They are a great industrial design company, and you look at the iPod, and look at the iMacs. It's superb. (ur) And we are very happy.
Such moves are designed to help Intel update its image. It wants to be known as a company which does more than supply products to PCs. Its new motto, Intel, Leap ahead. The old one Intel Inside was a hit, but it was getting stale.
Craig Barrett: We've tried to update the logo and leap ahead is really a representation of the exciting technology we try to bring into the marketplace.
In addition to bringing cutting-edge consumer products to market, Intel continues to try to bring a sense of corporate responsibility to the world.
Craig Barrett: During the last five years we've trained 3 million teachers, and we announce that we are going to expand that and train an additional ten million teachers over the next five years in the emerging economies. And in addition, throw in 100, 000 computers to help that effort.
In 2006 Intel will also donate some 100 million dollars to educational activities. It sounds like a lot of money but it's a small percentage of the company's revenue. Barrett admits the act is part charity and part good business.
Craig Barrett: Indirectly it gives us some benefits I suspect, you know, that young children who understand the technology are potential users of our products long-term.
But whether it's for business or charity, Barrett clearly understands the importance of grooming the next generation.
Craig Barrett: If we are going to have peace and happy relations between countries, we need to give young people in every country an opportunity for professional development, for growth opportunity in their adult life.
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