...Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business while Introducing iPhone and Apple TV Overview/Introduction Through an analysis of the case study of Apple, Inc. this paper will describe key elements that helped make Apple the successful company it is today. The analysis of the three key environments of a business will be examined, including; general, industry, and competitor environments. Also explored will be the available lessons that readers and other companies can garner from Apple’s success. Apple’s Success Story Apple’s success rests squarely on the shoulders of innovation. In the beginning, the founders of Apple, Stephen Wozniak and Steve Jobs focused on providing something new to the market. They not only brought innovative products to consumers like the Mac computer and iPod, they did it in an innovative manner. Memorable advertising campaigns based on consumer reaction rather than technological jargon made the beginnings of a cult-like following. Apple lost its way in the mid to late eighties as it struggled to find its focus and protect its core competencies, resources, and capabilities. Steve Jobs returned to the company after a decade removed, recognized the speed with which technology moves and took steps to insure that Apple, Inc. was strategically focused to be the leader in new technology. The key to Apple’s success is their mission to make the Mac “the hub of the consumers’ digital lifestyle” (Ireland, 2009, p. C-16). From this point...
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...to legal mistakes. Apple computer has faced many challenges throughout its 24 year history. Steven Jobs left Apple over disagreements with John Scully, whom Jobs recruited as Apples president and CEO and started next. During Jobs absence from Apple, Apple partnered with IBM and Motorola to produce the Power PC Chip. One of the key strategic challenges that Apple Computers faced was the loss of the exclusive rights to interface design, due to a poorly negotiated contract. With this loss Apple was now in a position in which it needed to gather d its resources and fight a battle toward standardized software as... Abstract Apple Computer, Inc. is a leader in the technology industry. Whenever one thinks of Apple, computers are the first product that comes to mind. A study of Apple’s history shows that while computers may be the public’s idea of their flagship product, in truth iTunes is the product that propelled Apple’s entrance in a host of other product offerings. Apple’s challenge remains how to maintain the music division of the company while continuing their sponsorship of two equally lucrative products: the iPhone and Apple TV. After all, few companies can have the Wal-Mart effect, being able to be a one-stop-shop. Entrance into the Music Business When Steve Job returned to leadership at Apple Computers Inc. in 1997, Apple was primarily concerned with resolving the dispute between Apple and Microsoft over making operating systems and computers compatible. Eventually...
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...General Electric (GE) competes in many different industries ranging from appliances, aviation, and consumer electronics, to energy, financial services, health care, oil, and wind turbines. These industries are quite diverse, but there are similarities among several of them. In fact, GE’s businesses are grouped in four divisions: GE Capital, GE Energy, GE Technology Infrastructure, and GE Home & Business Solutions. In recent years, more than 50 percent of GE’s annual revenue has come from its financial services businesses. However, GE has reduced its assets in financial services—GE Capital provides approximately one-third of its total earnings. In 2012, much of GE’s growth in revenues came from the manufacture and sale of jet engines for major airliners and from its increasing business in the oil and gas industry. In 2013 (based on 2012 data), GE was ranked the eighth largest corporation in the Fortune 500. Additionally, in 2013 it was ranked eleventh in Fortune magazine’s list of the 50 most admired companies. Thus, GE has been a highly successful company. GE has an impressive history and is one of the few widely diversified firms to achieve such success. GE is a highly influential global corporation. Its CEO, Jeffrey Immelt, was selected by President Obama to chair an advisory group on economic and job creation concerns. However, GE has experienced some “bumps in the road” along the way. This is to be expected because it is difficult to manage a large, widely diversified...
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...iApple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business While Introducing iPhone and Apple TV INTRODUCTION According to Apple Computer's 2007 10-K Annual Report, "The Company is committed to bringing the best personal computing, portable digital music and mobile communication experience to students, educators, creative professionals, businesses, government agencies, and consumers through its innovative hardware, software, peripherals, services, and Internet offerings." The company's 2005 Mission Statement reads: 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 resources 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. In recognition of current market trends, Steve Jobs has claimed that he wants to transform the company by making the Mac the hub of the consumers’ digital lifestyle. Despite Apple Computer's recent successes, the company is facing an ever-changing competitive environment on multiple fronts. 1. What are the key strategic challenges facing Apple Computer? 2. What are some of the dimensions...
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...Assignment2 Apple Computer, Inc.; Maintaining the Music Business While Introducing iPhone and Apple TV Roxanna Farris Professor: Shereen Turner Business Administration Capstone October 29, 2011 Apple Computer, Inc.; Maintaining the Music Business While Introducing iPhone and Apple TV 1. Describe key strategic challenges facing Apple Computer. The key strategic challenges will be focus around the company’s commitment to gain a competitive edge. Apple was not satisfied with the Apple’s Tunes Online Music Store which reached millions; they worked on capitalizing the market by the release of the personal computer. After the release of the personal computer and a change in management the public voiced the concern for a more compatible system (Hitt, 2011). Apple launched a new product and merged with another company with the intention of gaining a competitive edge. However, the results were less than favorable. So, a key strategic challenge was to change the sales strategy, making the Mac the “hub” of digital lifestyle (Hitt, 2011). Another challenge was to increase the profit margin, to outline the graphic location; that will be served, the needs of the customer, and how to satisfy those needs. 2. Describe the dimensions along which company success can be measured. Apple computer faced the challenge of Steven Jobs severing his relationship with his business partner, John Sculley. This separation was based on differences in business strategy and the direction...
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...Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business while introducing iPhone and Apple TV Judith Babcock Professor Christopher B. McGrath Bus 499-Business Administration Capstone April 24, 2012 Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business while introducing iPhone and Apple TV Apple Inc. manufactures and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, and portable music players. They also sell software and services. The company sells the iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod, Apple TV and professional and consumer software. Apple became a public company in 1980. Since then, they have become the most innovative company, the number one company in the world. In 2007, Apple Computer, Inc. changed their name to Apple, Inc., nasdaq: AAPL. The reason was Jobs explained was because the company was more of a consumer electronics company than a computer maker. On the same day of the name change, Apple Inc.launched the iPhone and Apple TV (Knowledge @ Wharton 2007). Some challenges that Apple, Computer Inc. face after surpassing, Microsoft’s Market Cap in 2010, scrutiny from Government agencies: The FCC, SEC, ITC, FBI, and FTC all have investigations that are underway looking at Apple’s practices. Apple’s success with iTunes gives it clout that threatens competitors in cable television, movie studios, print, gaming and more. Corporate lawsuits: Nokia and HTC are two competitors that currently have patent...
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...“Case 14: Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business while introducing iPhone and Apple TV” Assignment 2; “Case 14: Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business while introducing iPhone and Apple TV” Anthony Green Professor Milan Havel BUS499 July 24, 2011 “Case 14: Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business while introducing iPhone and Apple TV” * Describe the key strategic challenges facing Apple Computer. * Describe the dimensions along which company success can be measured. * Describe the critical external and internal environmental factors that have strategic implications for Apple's future. * Describe how Apple's strategy stands up against industry rivalry. * Describe the recommendations you would make to enhance the effectiveness of the company's strategy or to change its strategic approach for better results. “Case 14: Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business while introducing iPhone and Apple TV” Describe the key strategic challenges facing Apple Computer Apple's is currently a very innovative company. It has gone through many ups and downs over the past 30 + years. From a successful company that brought in millions thanks to 2 guys a garage and a dream, to Steven Jobs, one of the founders, walking away from the company and in the process causing competitors to acquire ideas due to legal mistakes. Apple computer has faced many challenges throughout its 24 year history. Steven Jobs left...
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...Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business While Introducing iPhone and Apple TV Donna Prevatte Instructor: Jacinta Acquay BUS499 Sr. Seminar in Business Administration 31 January 2012 Apple Computer, Inc. changed online music tremendously in 2003 by developing the first legal online music service known as Apple’s iTunes Online Music Store. They were first online music service to have agreements with all five major record labels. Although initially available only for Macintosh users, iTunes sold more than 1 million songs by the end of its first week in operation (Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson, 2011). Describe the key strategic challenges facing Apple Computer. Apple Computer, Inc. is currently a very innovative company. It has gone through many ups and downs over the past thirty years. From a successful company that brought in millions thanks to two guys, a garage, and a dream, to Steven Jobs, one of the founders, walking away from the company and in the process causing competitors to acquire ideas due to legal mistakes. Eventually, Apple came back, thanks to Jobs rejoining and also because of the introduction of iTunes. But securing their information from this highly competitive industry is just one of their challenges. Apple saw a way to capitalize on the emerging trend of cheap music downloads by creating a legal online music distribution network. iTunes would be the key to exploiting the market (Hitt, Ireland, & Hoskisson...
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...Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business while Introducing iPhone and Apple TV Leave a reply Topic: Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business while Introducing iPhone and Apple TV Subject: Business Details: 1. Strategic challenges facing Apple Computer. 2. Dimensions along which company success can be measured. 3. Critical external and internal environmental factors that have strategic implications for Apple\’s future. 4. Dow Apple\’s strategy stands up against industry rivalry. 5. Recommendations you would make to enhance the effectiveness of the company\’s strategy or to change its strategic approach for better results. Abstract: Apple computers were started some 35 years ago by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in the garage of Steve’s home. It has achieve tremendous growth and is currently one of the largest companies in the US marketing electronic technological produces such as the iPad and many other such items that are used extensively by consumers. The company is dedicated to providing its customers the best know-how and understanding through its original hardware, software, and computer related devices along with the best possible services. The major tactical challenge that Apple computer is facing is that the company’s competitors try to surpass its accomplishments and that they are bringing into the market comparable products that are much cheaper than the products marketed by Apple Inc. Introduction Apple Computer was started...
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...Apple Computer, Inc.; Maintaining the Music Business While Introducing iPhone and Apple TV Roxanna Farris Professor: Shereen Turner Business Administration Capstone October 29, 2011 Apple Computer, Inc.; Maintaining the Music Business While Introducing iPhone and Apple TV 1. Describe key strategic challenges facing Apple Computer. The key strategic challenges will be focus around the company’s commitment to gain a competitive edge. Apple was not satisfied with the Apple’s Tunes Online Music Store which reached millions; they worked on capitalizing the market by the release of the personal computer. After the release of the personal computer and a change in management the public voiced the concern for a more compatible system (Hitt, 2011). Apple launched a new product and merged with another company with the intention of gaining a competitive edge. However, the results were less than favorable. So, a key strategic challenge was to change the sales strategy, making the Mac the “hub” of digital lifestyle (Hitt, 2011). Another challenge was to increase the profit margin, to outline the graphic location; that will be served, the needs of the customer, and how to satisfy those needs. 2. Describe the dimensions along which company success can be measured. Apple computer faced the challenge of Steven Jobs severing his relationship with his business partner, John Sculley. This separation was based on differences in business strategy and the direction in which...
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...Business Strategy Formulation Research Project Apple [pic] Submitted by: Yashraj Mahansaria 10PGHR60 [pic] Table of Contents Executive Summary Error! Bookmark not defined. Introduction 4 Activities Pursued 6 Firm’s strategic intent 6 External Analysis…………………………………...……………………………………………….7 Industry Analysis…………………………………………………………………………………….9 Internal Analysis………………………………………………………………………………….....10 Strategic Performance………………………………………………………………………………14 Financial Analysis…………………………………………………………………………………...15 Conclusion & Recommendations…………………..……………………………………………...21 References…………………………………………………………………………………………..22 Executive Summary Apple has long focused on providing the best user experiences in the world. The original Mac team labored over making the computer hide the complexity of the software underneath in order to become the "Computer for the Rest of Us." The same is true of course for the iPad, iPhone and iPods. What looks easy to use is of course very hard to create. Innovation competencies are valuable in emergent and high-growth phases of the lifetime of a product or industry segment. For mature industries, researchers have emphasized strengths in operations and execution, with the implication that innovation-oriented companies must enter early in the product lifecycle or not at all. Here is the study of Apple’s strategy to enter...
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...Executive Summary :- Apple Inc. Wasw founded in Cupertino,California on April1,1976. Three cofounders were Mr.Steve Jobs , Mr.Steve Woznaik, Mr.Ronald Wayne. As on date only one founder from the original three remains with Mr.Steve Jobs being Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO. In Financial 2010 its revenue stood at $65.23 billion with total profit of $14.01 billion. Apple Computer, Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and markets consumer electronics, computer software, and personal computers. Best-known hardware products of the company are the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad. Apple software includes the MAC OS xoperating 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; and iOS, a mobile operating system. In August 2010 company was operating 301 retail stores in ten countries and also an online store where hardware and software products are sold. May 2010, Apple is one of the largest companies in the world and the most valuable technology company in the world which has surpassed even Microsoft, its main competitor. Apple Inc was Incorporated on January 3, 1977.The company operated under the name of Apple Computer, Inc., for its first 30 years. Jobs, who assumed the CEO...
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...Key Strategic Challenges facing Apple Computer C. Meyer (2011) commented in his article by saying “It’s hard to get headlines with 5% market share. When your market capitalization passes Microsoft, everyone watches. For a firm that highly values control and secrecy, Apple now stands center-stage with the flood lights shining bright.” Although many are quick to focus on a company’s weaknesses, most winners lose their step by over relying on their strengths. Apple’s success has been fueled by a very distinctive point-of-view embodied in elegantly designed “insanely great products” that deliver a superior experience to users. Apple has wrung more out of secrecy and anticipation of its next products than most companies achieve through advertising. As the recent Gizmodo pre-release scoop of the iPhone 4 demonstrates, this gets harder to do the bigger you are. According to Meyer (2010), he examined seven challenges facing Apple leaders. 1) Security- With just 5% market share in the PC market, malware and virus writers have mostly ignored the Mac. However, Apple’s iPhone success now makes them a target that coincides with the explosion of mobile security concerns overall. Lacking strong experience in the enterprise computing where security is paramount, it’s reasonable to expect more problems such as the recent AT&T email address breach on the iPad. 2) High control- Several years ago, Steve Jobs said Apple wasn’t going to do a phone because it had to be sold...
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...Assignment 2: Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business while introducing iPhone and Apple TV Background on Apple Inc. Apple was created in Cupertino, California on April 1, 1976 and incorporated January 3, 1977. (Duane Ireland) Within Months of the incorporation the company created the Apple II, a second generation PC (for Apple) that created a stir in the marketplace grossing 10 Million in annual sales. In 1980 Apple decided to go public, and with over 100 million in sales they attracted stiff competition from the bigger computer companies at the time; HP and IBM. As competition heated up, Apple continued to set new trends time and time again by offering unique products in a way the consumers had never seen. Over the next 15 years Apple would set trends and have its ups and downs in the marketplace as many computer and software manufacturers did throughout out the late 80’s and early 90’s. As the late 90’s arrived, Apple was being crushed on the software front by the 800lb gorilla known as Microsoft. To counter the aggressive price tactics of PC makers and Microsoft’s chokehold on the industry, Apple introduced IMac. IMac was the affordable apple hardware consumers sought. While IMacs created growth for Apple, it was not the whole picture that Steve Jobs had envisioned for the company. In 2002 Apple added ILife to its product portfolio which created a slew of products including but not limited to; ITunes, IMovie, IPhoto and the IPod. All of...
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...Performance Apple Founded in a California garage on April 1, 1976, Apple created the personal computer revolution with powerful yet easy-to-use machines for the desktop. The company 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 products and services included Mac computers, iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, Xserve, a portfolio of consumer and professional software applications, the Mac OS X and iOS operating systems, third-party digital content and applications through the iTunes Store, and a variety of accessory, service, and support offerings. The company sold its products worldwide through its retail stores, online stores, and direct sales force, as well as third-party cellular network carriers, wholesalers, retailers, and value-added resellers. In addition, the company sold a variety of third-party Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod compatible products, including application software, printers, storage devices, speakers, headphones, and various other accessories and peripherals through its online and retail stores. The company sold to SMB, education, enterprise, government, and creative markets. The early success of Apple was attributed largely to marketing and technological innovation. In the high-growth industry of personal computers in the early...
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