Introduction and Background Apple, Inc is a well known name in the computer technology world; Apple, Inc leads the computer industry in innovation thanks to the award winning desktop and notebook computer known as OS X operating system (Yoffie & Slind, 2008). This paper will focus on Apple Inc., strategic management and why is it critical to the success of the organization in meeting its goals and mission. It is therefore important to define strategic management, according to Certo, Peter & Ottensmeyer, (2005), strategic management is a continuous process that directs an organization to be appropriately suited to its internal and external environment. Strategic management benefits organizations by providing personnel, capital, helps to set standards and most importantly activates people. For an organization to have a successful strategic management plan, the mangers must learn to think strategically and have the ability to evaluate their environment and develop new ideas. Steve Jobs one of the founding fathers of Apple Inc used strategic planning to his advantage by making Apple’s mission a simple one- bringing easy to use computers to the general market, revolutionizing the computer market. In 2007, after thirty years, the organization changed its name from Apple Computer to Apple Inc., this was a significant move because the organization became more independent, and it was no longer known as a vendor to Macintosh personal computer line (Yoffie & Slind, 2008). This strategic move paid off; a year and half later, Apple Inc.’s third quarter net profit of $1.07 billion on a $7.46 billion in revenue (Yoffie & Slind, 2008). SWOT Analysis of Apple, Inc. Strengths (Competitive Advantage) The Apple brand name is a household name, the brand value of Apple, Inc. improved to $13,724 million in 2008 from $11,037 million in 2007 (Datamonitor PLC, 2009). Apple is different from its competitors because it produces high quality products, its products are also unique and attractive and this has helped to increase its market shares. Since Apple is known globally, 54% profits come from foreign markets (Datamonitor PLC, 2009). Apple products are easy to use and carry around, majority of its products are light, small and very easy to carry around and it has a major advantage of product diversity, there is something for every one of all ages.
Apple is one of the leading company in the electronic industry located in Cupertino, California. This electronic giant, at top of Business Weeks Most Innovative Companies list since 2004, had showed itself by doing so well over the years in not only product design but also make a huge amount of money in the past 20 years especially in revenue and margins. According to “Apple Sales”, in the first quarter of 2011, $26.7 billion in revenue, 70% increase from a year before was reported. Apple was established as a computer company in Mountain View, California, on April 1, 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. But later diversified to a digital entertainment and software company in 2003 by providing iPod and iTunes which made them “invented a whole new category of digital music player that let you put your entire music collection in your pocket and listen to it wherever you go”. In 2007, the company also competing in the cell phone/smartphone industry by releasing iPhone which combined an Internet-enabled smartphone and video iPod. After they released the first iPad in April 2010, this giant becoming a diversified digital entertainment corporation in all three industries, PCs, consumer electronics and music, which made them taking bites out of the competition on all fronts.
In today 's era, there are a lot of companies that provide services all around the world that benefit everyone. Some of those companies provide only internet, while others provide that and/or the device used with the internet. One of the most popular companies that exists as of today is the Apple Company. The Apple Company was founded back in 1976 and its main thing was to create and produce computers and other electronics such as music players, cellular phones, and other merchandises. But the company became quite known, and as of today, it sells from just phone cases to televisions.
Over the last decade, Apple, Inc. has been one of the most successful company in the world. Apple is a multinational corporation that designs the electronic, manufactures, sell a several of related software. It provides many products for example iPhone, iPod, iPad, Mac, Apple TV. The important factors that Apple, Inc. use is technology. Technology with new innovation has the advantage that help an organization to beat with another company. And bring more competitors to the market. Most of the product in electronic industries are based on innovation. Thus, in order to achieve the goal and keep up with their competitors, Apple must frequently introduce new products or services
The Apple logo is well known by many, in fact, when consumers see the logo many things come to mind such as, how aesthetically well designed the products are, how easy it is to you and understand, the level of creativity in all products Apple. Apple brand has a value of about 124 billion dollars. Apple products are high in profit margin, with the new products coming out the company is marketing their products to show case a better lifestyle, more upscale, compactness, over-the-top, this evidence through the commercial advertisement done by Apple where they are paying everyday idols (celebrities) to show the ease and use of their merchandise. Do to Apple manufacturing products that are strong and build to last, it has had the capacity to hold a solid steadfast client base which is favorable position over its competition. In addition, Apple has done great in terms of its supply chain management operations which has enabled the company to do business globally without any hesitation or
Apple’s brand is worth $145.3 billion dollars (Badenhousen, 2015). The company was the top brand on Forbes’ list of the World’s Most Valuable Brands for a fifth straight time in 2015. Apple is worth two times as much as any other company on the entire planet, but spends only a little over a billion dollars a year on advertising which is a third of what some other electronics companies spend (Badenhousen, 2015). The company relies on its loyal following of fans to promote its products. In the past 15 years, Apple has revolutionized four electronic industries, iPhone, iPad, iPod, and iTunes (Badenhousen, 2015).
The multi billion-dollar corporation, Apple Inc., designs and manufactures some of today’s highest technological gizmos and gadgets. Among their best known products are the Apple and Macintosh computers, iPods, iTunes, iPhones and iPads. Apple is one of the most powerful and influential high tech companies in the world. The success of Apple Inc. stems from the innovation and visions of co-founder and entrepreneur, Steve Jobs, the excellence of the stylish, user-friendly products, and the ability to create innovative products that consumer’s desire.
They have a succession of well-designed and innovative products; form the iMac to the Apple Watch. Apple as a company has built an empire of partnerships, retail outlet, services, etc. In doing so, they have become the most profitable company in history (EIU, 2015).
Since 2010, Apple has been one of the most valuable companies in the world. Apple has owned the top slot on an annual basis from 2012 onwards. Apple is an American multinational corporation that designed, manufactured and marketed a range of personal computers, mobile communication and media devices and portable digital music players and sold a variety of related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions and third party digital content and applications. The company’s best known hardware products include Macintosh computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad. Apple software includes iTunes media browser, the iLife suite of multimedia and creativity software, the iWork suite of productivity software and Aperture, a professional photography
Apple Inc. is one of the leading companies in the technology industry. In 1976, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded the company. In 1976, they launch their first product, the Apple I, which was a basic personal computer. The product had good customer acceptance. Then, based in the Apple I, the company developed a new product, the Apple II. The new product had some extra technical features including a stylish design, that made it better that the first one and it was consider an innovative product. This innovative computer had more acceptance by the customers, but mainly in the educational field. In 1990, Apple continued developing new technologies and products that made the company the most profitable PC manufacturer in the world (HILL and JONES, 2008).
Apple Inc. is a global technological and innovative company based in California, U.S.A. Apple was formed by Wozniak Steve, Jobs Steve and Wayne Ronald in 1976 in order to enhance and sell individual computers (Jason D. O 'Grady, 2009). The company conquered its competitors and emerged as one of the best computing companies. Today, Apple operates in numerous lines that are inclusive of the music industry, mobile phones, and computer industry. The operations of this company range from manufacturing the hardware as well as the software for use in these devices. Notably, Apple continues to dominate the technology industry though not as aggressively as it did some years back. The company has since incorporation opened over sixty-five outlets
In almost every part of the world Apple and at least one of their products is known. The Apple brand started in the 1970s. Three men founded the organization in 1976, to produce a computer that every citizen could use personally (Sohail, 2010). The first item released was the Apple 1 personal computer kit made by Steve Wozniak (Sohail, 2010). Through the 70s, Apple concentrated on developing storing technologies such as the floppy disk and the use of color, graphics, and spreadsheets used for business (Sohail, 2010). Apple was about to have their first major product release with a million dollar ad campaign. This was the release of the Macintosh personal computer, which also led to Apple’s great reputation (Sohail, 2010).
Overall, Apple has a creative way of marketing to the millions of people over the world. Their creative marketing coupled with their unique product meshes together to form a multi-billion dollar company. If Apple keeps using their exclusive style of marketing to a younger “hip” generation then they will be Apple customers for life.
Apple Inc. was established by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak on April 1, 1976 as a computer designer, developer and seller company. However, the company shifted its focus from only personal computer to include other consumer electronics such as portable media player and mobile phone in 2007. Apple Inc becomes one of the most popular makers in its field since it seems that its popularity has increased according to a report on www.statista.com that Apple Inc’s products sales was generally increasing throughout the first quarter of 2006 to the first quarter of 2014. On the one hand, it has increased its revenue from about 14 billion US dollars to more than 170 billion US dollars in 2013. All in all, the company is highly successful corresponding to its products’ development and their sales growth in world’s market.
Strategic management is the ongoing process of ensuring a competitively superior fit between the organization and its ever-changing environment (Kreitner, G13). Strategic management serves as the competitive edge for the entire management process. It effectively blends strategic planning, implementation, and control. Organizations that are guided by a coherent strategic framework tend to execute even the smallest details of their mission in a coordinated fashion. The strategic management process includes the formulation of a strategy/strategic plans, implementation of the strategy, and strategic control. A clear statement of the organizational mission serves as the focal point for the entire planning process. People inside and outside the organization are given a general idea of why the organization exists and where it is headed. Working from the mission statement, management formulates the organization's strategy, a general explanation of how the organization's mission is to be accomplished. Then general intentions are translated into more concrete and measurable plans, policies, and budget allocations. Implementation is the most important part of the strategy. Strategic plans must be filtered down to lower levels to be success. Strategic plans can go astray, but a formal control system helps keep strategic plans on track. In the strategic management process general managers who adopt a strategic management perspective appreciate that strategic plans require updating and fine-tuning as conditions change. Given today's competitive pressures, management cannot afford to let strategic plans sit as is. A strategic orientation encourages farsightedness. Sun Microsystems Inc. is one company that developed a strategy to become the competitive leader and become the most reliable in the net business. I will explain how Sun's strategy integrates their marketing, management, technology, and service functions into one effective strategy. First I'll discuss who Sun is and what encouraged them to develop their strategy.
Apple has made reasonable management of its human and material resources since its innovational approach demands effective strategic allocation of its resources to the development and utilization of its productive resources to support its innovative investment strategies. Effective strategic control brings power to Apple’s decision-makers to allocate its resources to confront the technological, market, and competitive uncertainties which are inherent in the innovation