Way to move forward is to move forward together: Apple CEO

Asking Apple's "diverse" workforce to stay united in the face of "uncertainties" following Donald Trump's surprise win in a bitterly fought US election, CEO Tim Cook today asked the tech-giant's employees to "move forward together" regardless of their individual political choices.

Without naming either Trump or his rival Hillary Clinton, Cook in a memo to Apple employees, said it is inevitable that the election results have left many with strong feelings but urged them to move forward "together" regardless of their political affiliations.

"We have a very diverse team of employees, including supporters of each of the candidates. Regardless of which candidate each of us supported as individuals, the only way to move forward is to move forward together," he said.

Cook said Martin Luther King's phrase "to keep moving forward" is timeless and a reminder that "we only do great work and improve the world by moving forward".

He sought to reassure his company's employees amid "uncertainties ahead", saying "Apple's North Star hasn't changed".

"Our company is open to all, and we celebrate the diversity of our team here in the United States and around the world — regardless of what they look like, where they come from, how they worship or who they love.

"I've always looked at Apple as one big family and I encourage you to reach out to your co-workers if they are feeling anxious.

"Let's move forward — together!," he said.

Cook had hosted a fund-raiser for Clinton in August and one for Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan but he had not hosted an event for Trump who was declared the next president-elect of the US yesterday after he won with a comfortable margin securing 289 electoral college votes against Clinton's 218. PTI YAS SUA AKJ SUA