...Apple Corporation: Strategy Analysis Executive summary Apple Corporation continues to be the worlds most admired company because of its huge financial base, ability to attract and retain customers, ability to innovate and to produce technologically superior products. The company’s strategy as found in this report is built around creativity and innovation. Its capabilities in terms of resources and technology have made the company to produce technologically advanced products. Despite the huge influence of the external factors such as regulations, the economy and changes in technology, Apple is still strong and able to leverage its capabilities to achieve success. Apple is thus strategically positioned to achieve its objectives despite a few challenges that were identified that pose a threat to the company. Overall, its future direction should be guided by innovation and its ability to diversify its activities and products in order to extend its product line in order to survive. Introduction The 21st century has witnessed a rapid change in the way companies do business and the rationale for this is the cut throat competition among firms. The need to make profits and to gain market share has driven these companies to enact strategies that have led them to perform better (Vernon, 2001). This is not always the same with all companies as performance varies across these companies and this could be explained by the different strategies that they have adopted (Francis, 2010)...
Words: 4492 - Pages: 18
...------------------------------------------------- Apple Inc. Business Analysis Category: Business Autor: Mike 26 July 2010 Words: 3002 | Pages: 13 Business Analysis of Apple Inc. On April 1, 1976 Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne joined together to form Apple Computer Incorporated. The concept behind their company was the creation of an inexpensive, simple to use personal computer kit. Working out of Jobs' garage in Cupertino, California the trio designed and manufactured their first product in three months. They named this product the Apple I and it went on sale in July 1976 for $666.66. Six months after the release of the Apple I, Ronald Wayne opted to sell his share of the company back to Jobs and Wozniak for a meager $800. Soon thereafter multimillionaire Mike Markkula joined Apple and on January 3, 1977 the company was incorporated. Apple continued to gain momentum and was one of the fastest growing companies by the end of 1978. With the introduction of the Apple II plus, the company enjoyed a 400 percent increase in sales in 1979. In December of 1980 the company went public and within minutes the 4.6 million shares sold out at a price of $22 per share. An additional 2.6 million shares was also sold out by May 1981. However, the firm suffered its first major fallback with the release of the Apple III in September of 1980. The newest version had not undergone necessary testing due to time constraints and pressure from upper management. This proved to be extremely costly mistake and by 1984 the Apple III...
Words: 3020 - Pages: 13
...Apple Inc. Company Profile Established on 01st April 1976, and incorporate on 3rd January 1977 with its subsidiary companies, Apple Inc. (formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc.) engages in designing, developing and promoting mobile communication and media devices, personal computers and portable digital music players. The company’s products are sold worldwide through its retail and online stores, direct sales force and many other distributors. Their products, services and programs have been specially designed to target education customers. Apple operates in key five areas; America, Europe, Japan, Asia-Pacific and Retails, which focuses on Apple-owned retails stores worldwide. (Apple Inc) With its continuous success throughout the world, Fortune Magazine has named the world’s most admired company in the world from 2008 to date. (Apple Inc.) Mission Apple Computer is committed to protecting the environment, health and safety of our employees, customers and the global communities where we operate. We recognize that by integrating sound environmental, health and safety management practices into all aspects of our business, we can offer technologically innovative products and services while conserving and enhancing recourses for future generations. Apple strives for continuous improvement in our environmental, health and safety management systems and in the environmental quality of our products, processes and services. (What is Apple's vision and mission?) Vision Apple is...
Words: 2408 - Pages: 10
...Communication Apple Inc. Company Profile Established on 01st April 1976, and incorporate on 3rd January 1977 with its subsidiary companies, Apple Inc. (formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc.) engages in designing, developing and promoting mobile communication and media devices, personal computers and portable digital music players. The company’s products are sold worldwide through its retail and online stores, direct sales force and many other distributors. Their products, services and programs have been specially designed to target education customers. Apple operates in key five areas; America, Europe, Japan, Asia-Pacific and Retails, which focuses on Apple-owned retails stores worldwide. (Apple Inc) With its continuous success throughout the world, Fortune Magazine has named the world’s most admired company in the world from 2008 to date. (Apple Inc.) Mission Apple Computer is committed to protecting the environment, health and safety of our employees, customers and the global communities where we operate. We recognize that by integrating sound environmental, health and safety management practices into all aspects of our business, we can offer technologically innovative products and services while conserving and enhancing recourses for future generations. Apple strives for continuous improvement in our environmental, health and safety management systems and in the environmental quality of our products, processes and services. (What is Apple's vision and mission?) Vision Apple is...
Words: 2410 - Pages: 10
...Introduction The current global and virtual business environment shapes the business strategy for the aim of competing by knowledge and expertise to win the market share in the long run. Apple Inc. is one of the major leading hardware manufacturers, originates from the United States and is popular among the world. Its long-term direction could be strengthening the research, design, development and manufacturing phases. The success of this company relies its competitive strategy, which integrates its core resources, company structure and business process and stimulates targeted customers effectively as well as attracts more customers. In the meanwhile, the success of Apple Inc. is due to the support from strategic marketing. This report for Apple Inc. will analyze strategically about Apple in terms of its business description first with company profile, financial description and future direction in it. Furthermore, the sustainable business strategies that Apple adopts will be described in detail and the effectiveness of them will also be proposed one by one. The author also makes use of one of the classic tools, SWOT analysis, to give all-around insight of its competiveness strategies in terms of advantages and disadvantages. Some suggestions will appear in the end of this report as well. Business Description Company Profile The business description comes from its financial report: “The Company designs, manufactures, and markets mobile communication and media...
Words: 2178 - Pages: 9
...Business Analysis of Apple Inc. Apple Inc., founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak were looking to create a new type of computer. Thirty years later not only have they become one of the leading computer companies, but have also become successful in many other technological areas. Apple has branched out in computers (iMac, Macbook, Macbook Air, iPad), music industry (iPod, iTunes), cellular phone (iPhone), and have become leaders in these areas as well. To make an informed decision of whether or not to invest in Apple Inc., a business analysis must be done to determine the financial health of the company. The United States has been enduring an economic downturn since December 2007, according to The National Bureau of Economic Research (Isidore, 2008). Despite the recent economic downturn, Apple Inc. has turned a substantial profit for the past five years and is consistently one of the top performing firms in the Fortune 500. A review of their financial statement shows the extent of their success through the country’s struggles. Apple Inc.’s balance sheet, which is provides detailed information about a company’s assets, liabilities, and shareholder’s equity (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 2007). Apple Inc. has reported steady grains of their assest from the preverious years. They reported a gain of 150% in 2007, 16% in 2008, 1% in 2009 and 11% in 2010. Apple Inc.’s total current assets went from $14 billion in September 2006 to $41 billion in September...
Words: 3350 - Pages: 14
...2015-03-16 Case Assignment & Guiding Questions for Case Analysis Prof. Park Strategic Management Course Requirements & Grading Attendance/Class Contribution Mid-term(in class) Real Case Analysis (Final Group Project) * replace the final exam * Adjusted by peer evaluation Case Report and Presentation (Group Project) * Adjusted by peer evaluation 20% 30% 35% 15% Total 100% 1 2015-03-16 Case Report and Presentation (Group Project) • We will discuss around 10 business cases in this class. • Teams will be assigned to analyze the case and present the results in class. • For your analysis, there will be guideline questions to discuss. • Presentation time: around 15-20 minutes • # of presenters: one or two students • Each team need to bring 2‐3 questions and lead class discussion. (After your analysis, you may have some questions that you want to share with classmates) List of Cases and Presentation Schedule Case Related Topics Presentation Day 4th Week(Mar 23) 5th Week(Mar 30) Smartphone War b/w 1 Samsung and Apple 2/3 Apple 2010 4 Costco 5-Forces model Internal analysis Differentiation Strategy Cost Leadership 6th Week(Apr 6) 8th Week(Apr 20 or 21) 9th Week(Apr 27) 10th Week(May 4) 11th Week(May 11) 12th Week(May 18) 13th Week(May 26) 13th Week(May 26) 5 The Walt Disney Company Corporate-level Strategy 6 Samsung Sony JVC 7 Daimler Chrysler 8 Two‐Sided Markets 9 10 Strategic Alliance M&A Platform Open Innovation Open Innovation P&G's...
Words: 799 - Pages: 4
...Kudler Fine Foods Product Liability Analysis This analysis document will focus on legal issues concerning product liability as it relates to the food industry. Kudler’s Fine Foods (KFF) virtual organization will be used as the focal point of this analysis. KFF stores have establishments at three different locations in San Diego, California. The business model focuses on providing the finest gourmet organic-based food business. It always strives to satisfy their clientele by bringing new products based on weekly product sales in comparison to other competitors at affordable prices. KFF’s legal strategy consists on relying on one tax lawyer. This lawyer is a relative of the owner. The owner has instructed store managers to only report any issues concerning a slip and fall. Besides a slip and fall, the store managers will determine if any other incidents should be brought up to the attention of the owner. Then the owner will decide if these issues merit being elevated to the company’s attorney or for the owner to resolve them (Kudler Virtual Organization, 2008). The majority of KFF business is based on providing organic and non-organic food products to their clients, the company should be concerned about implications on how a case of product liability could affect the business. What is product liability and how it relates to the food industry According to The Free Dictionary by Farlex (2010) product liability is defined as, “The responsibility of a manufacturer or vendor of...
Words: 1008 - Pages: 5
...Business 200W – Business Research and Communication Individual Case Analysis Apple Inc. SWOT Analysis Company Overview Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation which focuses on designing and manufacturing technology products such as consumer electronics, personal computers and software. Apple Computer, Inc. was established in Cupertino, California on April 1, 1976 and incorporated on January 3, 1977 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. The company used this name for the first 30 years until it removed the word “Computer” on January 9, 2007 to reflect its expansion into the consumer electronics market in addition to its original computer market. Apple designs, manufactures and markets personal computers, servers, network solutions, peripherals, mobile communication devices, portable digital music players, and related accessories, software and services. The company’s product portfolio comprises Mac computer systems, iPod portable digital music and video players, iPhone mobile phones, iPad portable multimedia, and Xsan and Mac OS servers. The company’s applications include Mac OS, iTunes, iLife, iWork, iClould, Safari, QuickTime, MobileMe and others. Apple mainly operates in the United State and manages its business primarily on geographic structure. It develops global market through five operating segments: the Americas, Europe, Japan, Asia-Pacific and retails. The company sells its products through online...
Words: 2621 - Pages: 11
...GESTÃO FINANCEIRA 2012/2013 Joanna Słomowicz 5620 Marta Malinowska 5571 Maja Rudecka 5621 Paulina Daczko 5624 1. Apple Inc. is currently a well known growing company that has been reporting lately high levels of profitability at various levels of its corporate reality. Do you agree with this statement? Support your answer using financial management terminology and numerical inputs to build appropriate ratios of analysis, using the information available in the company’s financial statements for the five year period. ROE (Return on Equity Ratio): 2010: 29.32142 % 2009: 26.027181 % 2008: 27.4431538 % 2007: 24.050372 % 2006: 19.921875 % ROA (Return on Assets Ratio): 2010: 18.638522 % 2009: 17.336477 % 2008: 16.9168671 % 2007: 13.788614 % 2006: 11.560593 % Gross (Profit Margin Ratio): 2010: 25684 2009: 17222 2008: 13197 2007: 8152 2006: 5598 We agree with the statement. We have tree major Profitability Ratios: ROE, ROA and Gross Profit Margin ratio. As we can see ROE has grown since 2006-2010 systematically from 19.921875 to 29.32142. Follows from the definition of the Return on Equity Ratio, it shows how well a company uses investment funds to generate profit growth. ROEs over 15% is considered very good. Also ROA has risen significantly from 11.56% to 18.64%. ROA shows how profitable a company’s assets are in generating revenue. And the last one Gross Profit Margin Ratio tells us difference between revenue and cost before accounting for certain other costs. It directly tells...
Words: 1392 - Pages: 6
...Case Analysis 2 - Research in Motion (RIM) History of RIM & Product Development Jacqueline M. Leotaud jacqueline.leotaud@yahoo.com NETW583: Strategic Management of Technology Professor Samanta July 28, 2013 Jacqueline Leotaud Case Analysis 2 - Research in Motion NETW583 July 28, 2013 What were some of the challenges that RIM faced to protect its intellectual property, and how did RIM handle those challenges? Largely considered the world’s most valuable and influential company, Apple has had a number of huge successes since its 1977 launch, including the Apple II, iMac iPod, iPhone, iPad, and iTunes. The What were some of the industry factors that influenced RIM? Largely considered the world’s most valuable and influential company, Apple has had a number of huge successes since its 1977 launch, including the Apple II, iMac iPod, iPhone, iPad, and iTunes. The Apply as many TCOs as you can to the RIM. Largely considered the world’s most valuable and influential company, Apple has had a number of huge successes since its 1977 launch, including the Apple II, iMac iPod, iPhone, iPad, and iTunes. The References Editorial Staff. (2012). Four ways Apple has changed under Tim Cook. By The Week. Available at: http://theweek.com/article/index/228478/four-ways-apple-has-changed-under-tim-cook Farber, Dan. (2013). Apple's Tim Cook seeks the 'mother of all opportunities'. Available at: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57566068-37/apples-tim-cook-seeks-the-mother-of-all-opportunities/...
Words: 300 - Pages: 2
...A Critical Analysis about Competitive Advantage of Apple Inc. based on the Porter`s Five Force Model Northeastern University Strategic Leadership Xiaolong Cao Instructed by James Lux June 6th 2016 Abstract This article aims to detect two key areas in Apple`s competitive advantage through using Porter`s Five Force model. According to the knowledge learned from class, there is no forever lasting competitive advantage, so through analyzing the case of Steve Jobs competitive strategy it presents a clear and reasonable structure and explanation of their competitive advantage. After doing this analysis, this article helps to fine both the disadvantage and advantage of their competitive advantage, and each of them contains two aspects according to Porter`s Five Force Model, which provides a reliable and meaningful support to test and excavate the effect of competitive advantage and future developing orientation. Introduction In the modern time, there are numerous resources that identify the importance of the competitive strategy. The ever growing technological trends and volatility within business operations in today's society make it extremely difficult for organizations to stay complacent with their strategies. Adjustments and new ideas need to constantly be developed to be able to maintain a competitive edge. The most obvious examples happen in IT industry, high performance laptop was a competitive advantage 2 years...
Words: 1434 - Pages: 6
...Market Evolution C. Smartphones D. Consumers Analysis III. APPLE IPHONE A. Executive Summary B. Life Cycle Analysis C. PESTEL Analysis D. SWOT Analysis E. Porter Five Forces Completion Theory Model F. McKinsey 7S Framework IV. REFERENCES Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL; formerly Apple Computer, Inc.) is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. The company's best-known hardware products include the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad. Apple software includes the Mac OS X operating system; the iTunes media browser; the iLife suite of multimedia and creativity software; the iWork suite of productivity software; Aperture, a professional photography package; Final Cut Studio, a suite of professional audio and film-industry software products; Logic Studio, a suite of music production tools; the Safari web browser; and iOS, a mobile operating system. As of July 2011, the company operates 357 retail stores in ten countries, and an online store where hardware and software products are sold. As of September 2011, Apple has recently been the largest publicly traded company in the world by market capitalization, and the largest technology company in the world by revenue and profit Established on April 1, 1976 in Cupertino, California, and incorporated January 3, 1977, the company was previously named Apple Computer, Inc., for its first 30 years, but removed...
Words: 3775 - Pages: 16
...PEST ANALYSIS –APPLE by Student’s name Code + course Professor’s name University name City Date Introduction Every organization’s financial success is influenced by factors operating in its external and internal environment. This can be done by adopting strategies that assist in manipulating production factors to the advantage of the company. Through the understanding of this, factors that the organization can forecast change and take advantage of the change. In respect to this, macro environment contains external factors and forces that an organization cannot change them directly hence the need for the organization to adopt and manage their environment in a way that can bring financial gains (Johnson, Scholes, & Whittington 2008). Pest Analysis PEST is the study of the market in respect to politics, economy, social aspect, and technology. PEST becomes more important and relevant to a large and more complex business or proposition; however, even for very small local businesses or organizations a PEST analysis is capable of detecting one or several very significant issues that might otherwise be overlooked. It is often utilised for business development and marketing assessment and decision-making; the PEST template stimulates thinking that is proactive rather than relying on instinctive or habitual reactions (Kumar 2011). Political Political issues, legislations, and policies can be analysed through this method of analysis. It allows...
Words: 1303 - Pages: 6
...Week 3: Case Analysis Assignment: Apple Inc. Geraldo Moraes DeVry University BUSN-412 Business Policy Professor Raef Assaf CASE ANALYSIS ASSIGNMENT: APPLE INC. Apple Inc. designs, makes, and markets mobile communication and media gadgets, PCs, convenient advanced music players, and offers a mixed bag of related programming, administrations, peripherals, organizing arrangements, and outsider computerized substance and applications (Dess, G., Lumpkin, G., & Eisner, A. 2012). Its items and administrations incorporate iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, iPod, Apple TV, an arrangement of customer and expert programming applications, the iOS and OS X working frameworks, iCloud, and frill, administration and bolster offerings. According to the case study, Apple Computer was established in Mountain View, California, on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Jobs was the visionary and advertiser, Wozniak was the specialized virtuoso, and A. C. "Mike" Markkula Jr., who had joined the group a while prior, was the businessperson (Dess, G., Lumpkin, G., & Eisner, A. 2012). Employments set the mission of engaging people, one person, one PC, and doing as such with polish of configuration and savage tender loving care. In 1977 the first form of the Apple II turned into the first PC standard individuals could utilize right out of the case, and its moment achievement in the home market brought on a processing upheaval, basically making the PC business. By 1980 Apple was the business...
Words: 1988 - Pages: 8
