...Environment Scans for Apple, Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble Nylor P. Coleman MGT/498 January 16, 2013 Robert Consonery, Facilitator Environmental Scan: Apple Inc, Amazon.com and Barnes and Nobles Environmental scanning indentifies the external and internal trends that influence the future direction of a business. This process provides the tools for evaluation within the three companies and how the process works. This paper will provide research regarding the internal and external environments for each of the three corporations. The changing environment in the marketplace will provide each business with the challenges and opportunities for competing and growing each business. The companies must adapt to the changes in the business environment for the long term survival. This paper indentifies how each company will create value and sustain its competitive advantage through the business strategy. The guidelines of each business will be explored and how each business will follow these guidelines to meet the business’ visions and missions. How effective these guidelines for each business will be explored. These guidelines will be highlighted and its effectiveness for the business for strategic effectiveness the each is using. Use of environment scanning directs the company’s budget in advertising and how much is spent on marketing. Environmental Scanning “Environmental scanning is the monitoring, evaluation, and dissemination of information...
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...and select the competitive advantages that will help to separate them from their competition in the market. Top organizations have to decide on which alternative grand strategies to guide a company’s activities, mainly when they are trying to decide about extending the scope of the ’company’s actions beyond its core business (Pearce & Robinson, 2013). Apple is a known for their innovation and brand recognition. Apple products are easily identifiable in the stores and they make sure that their products are integrated to provide the best use and experience for their customers. Because the market is so competitive, Apple should stay focused on how to sustain their status as the next generation of technology leaders. Due to the similar products and new products entering into the market, Apple is faced with challenges from other competitors they must look to grow their vision. If Apple expects to continue to grow, they will need to make sure they grow at a pace that will not jeopardize their brand identity or their potential revenue market growth. The paper highlights the strategic choice and evaluation of Apple, Inc. Generic Strategy According to the text, generic strategy is “a core idea about how a firm can best compete in the marketplace” (Pearce & Robinson, 2013). In order to run a successful organization, the organization must have a strategy for its direction. According to Porter, advantages of strategies will help to achieve competitive advantages compared to rivals...
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...Felton July 9, 2013 Strategic Management 498 Introduction Environmental scanning is an important part of all the organizations in order to compete in the market effectively, especially with a multinational approach to get a competitive advantage over others in the global environment. Competitive analysis is an important component in environmental scanning. In this paper, the internal and external environments of three popular companies will be studied and contrast the ways in which companies analyze their internal as well as external environment and the strategies formed accordingly to get a competitive edge over others. Three popular companies selected in this paper are Coca Cola, Proctor, and Gamble (P&G), and Apple Inc. All three organizations are related to different industries and carry out different businesses. The competitive strategies and their measurement guidelines will evaluate their internal and external environmental perspective. Determine what competitive advantages each company has and what strategies each company is using. Coca Cola Company is known in the beverage industry, P&D is known in the consumer product industry and Apple Inc. is known for their technology. All three organizations are one of the top market giants in their respective industries and have competitive advantage over other firms in their relevant industries. Coca Cola strongest competitive rival in beverage...
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...Rothaermel Exercise 1 Perry Blankenship Liberty University Chapter 1 1. How is strategy different from a business model? A) Rothaermel (2013) defines a strategy as: “The goal-directed actions a firm intends to take in its quest to gain and sustain a competitive advantage,” (p.6). Rothaermel also defined a business model as: “An organizational plan that details the firm’s competitive tactics and initiatives, or how the firm intends to make money,” (p.11). The strategy is the theory the organization plans to utilize in achieving their goals while the model is their actions of implementing their strategy. Casadesus-Masanell and Ricart (2010) explained in their research that the strategy of a business is implemented by the leaders in choosing the business model they will follow. When organizations are looking for what customers they will reach and what the customer values, they are utilizing a business model. When they want to achieve the goal of reaching these customers they must develop a strategy for achieving that goal. B) How is it similar? Both the strategy and the business model strive to achieve the organizational goals and give the organization a competitive advantage. “The business model is the reflections of the realized strategy,” (Casadesus-Masanell and Ricart, 2010, p.204). 2. Why do you think Dell is keen on offering this service? A) The new crowdsourcing allows the consumer to have more control of the design and development of their product...
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...Nugent MGT/498 September 15, 2013 John Vincent Environmental Scan Paper What is environmental scanning? According to (Wheelen & Hunger, 2010, pg. 98), “Environmental scanning is the monitoring, evaluation, and dissemination of information from the external and internal environments to key people within the corporation.” The external and internal elements that form an organization assist in determining the rate of an organization’s success and failure. Organizations yearn to have the knowledge that is needed in order to stay afloat with the ever so changing market and of course with the evolving world. In order for an organization to be successful in their market, it requires an environmental scanning to be completed so the organization can analyze their internal and external environment. Companies Using an Environmental Scan The two real-world environments that Aude will be using that utilize an environmental scan are Apple, Inc and Wal-Mart. Aude will start with Apple, Inc. Apple, Inc has been very successful with the technology industry due to their innovative ideas and the ability Apple has to their ideas come to life, which displays a very strong business strategy. Apple, Inc’s business strategy involves a very meticulous scan of the internal and external environments that affect the organization. Apple has shown over and over again their ability to get the attention of their consumer, both the younger generation and older generation. Apple has the ability to capture...
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...Executive Summary Nokia’s reign as the world’s biggest seller of mobile telephones is under serious threat from its competitors such Apple and the introduction of new Android based mobile phones. The company fell short in the smartphone era and its position as the number-one phone seller in the global market is under threat. The case study provides a brief analysis of what transpired at Nokia and how the strategy implemented by the management team from the period of the 1990s up to the 2010 led to the company losing its market shares at both ends of the mobile phone industry. During the period of 1991 and 1992 the company lost FM482million ($120 million) on its major business activities. In 1992 a new group chief executive, Jorma Ollila was appointed. Jorma Ollila’s mission was to formulate a strategy that was going to rescue the company from its losses, into a profitable organisation. The report focus on Nokia’s reason to select one area of development out of four, the significance of the introduction of new Android software for Nokia’s chosen strategy and the importance of management teams to strategic choice. In dealing with the first section on the study case , the author analysed the three elements of the strategy context used by the management team and then discussed strategic risks associated with focusing on the single development area out of four. Lynch (2012:421) defines strategy context as being concerned with the circumstances surrounding and influencing the...
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...service. Ironically this process always starts with a vision or a dream. For instance according to Mactrast (2013), the very first Apple iPod contained an Easter egg; that was accessible by circumnavigating to the ‘About’ menu and holding down the center button for a few seconds (12 Interesting Facts about Apple). This products development emerges from an individual’s visions and dreams. When offered the opportunity to turn ones dreams into reality team A. acts swiftly; the marketing director at Apple Inc. is requesting for team A to create a competitive market analysis to determine the new products; the iPad mini’s potential success. Team A’s analysis will focus on Apples primary competitor in the product’s market. This analysis will help the team produce recommendations on how the organization can maximize profit-making potential, and successfully compete in the new market. The team must also consider the effects the recommendations will have on the corporation. Apple Inc. is an American worldwide corporation founded on April 1, 1976; the main headquarters is in Cupertino, California. Apple Inc. is an international corporation that bazaars and enterprises software and hardware for computers and electronics ("Apple Inc.," 2013). According to Wikipedia (2013), Apple began publicly marketing their products to the public at the “Homebrew Computer Club.” Apple enterprises, cultivates, and retails consumer microelectronic software, for individual and business PCs and...
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...APPLE INC. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS REPORT Apple, Inc. Financial Analysis Report Ricardo Figueroa DeVry University BUSN412 Case Study Instructor David Mozinski May 27, 2013 Case Study Report Outline and Grading Guide (150 points) COMPANY NAME/WEBSITE/INDUSTRY Apple, Inc., http://www.apple.com/about/, Electronic Equipment BACKGROUND/HISTORY The company began as “Apple Computer” by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. They were college dropouts. The company almost went bankrupt in 1996 even though they had a strong brand, rapid growth, and high profit late in the 1980s. Jobs then went to work and transformed “Apple Computers” into “Apple Inc.” with innovative and technologically sophisticated non-PC products in the 2000’s. By 2010, the company also viewed itself as a “mobile device company.” Apple became the fourth-largest PC vendor in the US market. Through multi-million dollar campaigns, such as successful “Think Different” ads and catch slogans, Apple promoted itself as a hip alternative to other computer brands. It also highlighted its computers as the world’s “greenest lineup of notebooks.” The goal of Apple is to differentiate its products amid intense competition in the personal computer and mobile device industry. SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths | 1. Pioneer of innovative and high-tech quality products like iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Mac 2. Globally recognized brand name 3. Large segment of loyal customers of “Apple culture” 4. Strong Research and Development...
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...Strategic Management Apple & Nokia Case Analysis 1. Table of Contents 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF APPLE AND NOKIA CASE 2 2.0 QUESTION 1 3 2.1 Competitive analysis of Apple and Nokia – who is stronger? 3 2.1.1 Competitive Analysis 3 2.1.1.1 SWOT Analysis 5 1.1.1 Strengths of Apple 6 2.1.1.2 Value Chain Analysis 9 2.1.1.3 Resourced Base View Tool 11 3.0 QUESTION 2 14 3.1 PESTEL analysis tool 15 3.2 Porter’s Five Forces 17 3.3 The Implications for Strategic Development are; 21 4.0 QUESTION 3 21 4.1 Critical Analysis Lessons from Apple’s risky but profitable strategy 21 5.0 REFERENCE: 23 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF APPLE AND NOKIA CASE Apple chalked some initial success with its invention of the Macintosh (Mac) computer but with the introduction of the Windows 1.0 from its rival company (Microsoft), it was faced with a threat in the industry. Their earlier strategic decision of not cooperating with rivals in the industry was seen as a weakness which Microsoft capitalized on to make their software available to other computer manufacturers for a license fee. Apple, diversifying into a new market (mobile telephone industry) with the introduction of user friendly products sought industry cooperation when it came to the launch of subsequent products including the iPod and iPhone. This strategic decision was inspired by its past...
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...will run into confusion and may fail Somehow, select firms like apple has done what can be termed “quantum strategy” (loizos hercleous 2012). They are able to balance contradicting strategic features like groundbreaking innovation and quality with rock bottom cost to achieve extraordinary performance. The leadership at apple is at the heart of this competitive advantage. The leadership aims at strategic alignment, focus, simplicity, synergies and systemic connections to bring about a balance on competing demands and gain strength in the industry. In the past fifteen years, Apple Inc. has brought a revolution in the personal electronics, telecom, computer and media by string of excellent products, offering unique, designer and exciting customer experiences. They have exceeded industry expectations thereby exerting significant power over both customers and industry players, with outstanding financial results. In August 2012, Apple inc was announced the most valuable listed company having a market value of $ 623 billion. In September 2012, it had the highest cash reserves of USD 121 bn. achieves a net margin of 20 % with a revenue increase from us $ 65.2 bn in 2010 to us$108.2 bn in 2011 and to US $ 156.5bn in 2012.( This feat was achieved under the late Steve Jobs and will outlive Jobs as apple has attained a quantum strategy which is rare and very difficult for competitors to imitate. Noteworthy is that apple is able to strike a balance of intense operations efficiency with...
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... Dr. Yan Ling ASSIGNMENT 2 FIRM ANALYSIS REPORT: APPLE INC. ------------------------------------------------- GROUP # 4 Sonny Nguyen || Brittany Krammes Larisa Zenokhova || Bryan Berduo Table of Contents Page # SECTION I – INTRODUCTION3 SECTION II – BUSINESS LEVEL STRATEGY3 SECTION III – VRIO FRAMEWORK OF RESOURCES & CAPABILITIES4 SECTION IV – VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS6 SECTION V- INTERNAL WEAKNESSES7 SECTION VI –STRATEGIC ACTION RECOMMENDATION 7 A. REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8 B. EXHIBITS………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……….11 SECTION I – INTRODUCTION For this analysis, we chose Apple Inc. because of its impact on the smartphone industry in the United States. First, the report will identify the business level strategy that the company has pursued and key factors that attribute to its success. Next, the report will use the VRIO framework to analyze Apple Inc.’s tangible and intangible resources, and capabilities. Then, a value chain analysis is provided to evaluate how Apple Inc. creates value for their customers, followed by a brief explanation of three internal weaknesses. Finally, based on what our group knows about the mobile industry in the United States and Apple Inc., we recommended strategic actions the company should take in order to maintain its position in the industry. SECTION II-BUSINESS LEVEL STRATEGY Apple Inc.’s existing business-level strategy within the U.S. branded...
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...Apple Case Team Assignment 1. What historically have been the sources of Apple’s competitive advantage? (15pt) Apple, since its conception, has been focused on making a superior personal computer. Apple was, at first, ahead of their competition due to their improvements upon the personal computer. Apple was adamant on creating an easy to use personal computer with exceptional design and style; creating a premium product. Apple was focused on being different, rebellious and cutting-edge. Steve Jobs coined the motto, “It’s better to be a pirate than join the navy,” which exemplifies the rebellious and unique nature of Apple’s culture. Innovation and aesthetics were, in Steve Jobs’ eyes, the competitive advantage of Apple. When Apple shifted away from this vision, it took major hits to their profits and lost much of its market share to its competitors. This is because Apple tried to implement the advantage that IBM and other competitors had, which was low-cost mass market appeal products. Apple even started creating desktop peripherals and other products not true to the identity of the brand. This marred the image of Apple and confused its identity; ultimately making Apple lose their competitive advantage. Apple went from a unique, rebellious, and innovative company to just another mass-producing computer company with inferior technology. Once Steve Jobs returned, after all of the chaos, they went back to their roots of being an innovative company focused on creating...
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...International Industrial Economics (2012-2013) Case study PPT presentation Date of seminar January 18 , h. 11.00 January 18 , h. 11.20 January 18th, h.11.40 January 18 , h.12.20 January 18 , h.12.40 January 18th, h.13.00 January 18 , h.13.20 January 24th, h.11.00 January 24 , h. 11.20 January 24 , h. 11.40 January 24 , h.12.20 January 24th, h.12.40 January 24 , h.13.00 January 24 , h.13.20 January 25th, h.11.00 January 25 , h.11.20 January 25th, h.11.40 January 25 , h.12.20 January 25th, h.12.40 January 25 , h.13.00 January 25 , h.13.20 th th th th th th th th th th th th th th Name SALICE Valentina MARRONE Emanuela SPAMPINATO Giulia REITANO Boris D’ARRIGO Roberto ARDITA Giuseppe CARIOLA Elena FILIPPELLO Gloria FILOCAMO Andrea ALI’ Andrea RIZZO Emanuele ARENA Annamaria AIELLO Sebastiano SPORTARO Prospero CONTI Maria Cristina LUISI Paola FAILLA Stefania ALAIMO Massimo Maria AYARI Neila CALVAGNA Giorgia CRUCITTI Alessia Case study Cola Wars continue: Coke and Pepsi in 2006 Google Inc. Nucor at Crossroad Caterpillar Tractor Co Komatsu Ltd. Crown Cork and Seal Apple Inc. in 2010 Cola Wars continue: Coke and Pepsi in 2006 Google Inc. Nucor at Crossroad Caterpillar Tractor Co Komatsu Ltd. Crown Cork and Seal Apple Inc. in 2010 Cola Wars continue: Coke and Pepsi in 2006 Google Inc. Nucor at Crossroad Caterpillar Tractor Co Komatsu Ltd. Crown Cork and Seal Apple Inc. in 2010 Seminar guidelines 1. Each student has 20 minutes for presentation. You are required to provide a Powerpoint...
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...marketing strategies of Samsung for Android and of Apple for iOS in UK market and their customer response’’ Table of Contents 1 Introduction 2 1.2 Research aims 2 1.3 Research objectives 3 2. Literature review 3 2.1 Introduction 3 2.2 Mobile phone operating system 3 2.3 Global introduction of smartphone 3 2.4 Various operating systems 4 2.5 Overview of the android’s framework 4 2.6 Overview of iOS and it marketing strategy 4 2.7 Comparative analysis of the two 5 3. Research methodology 6 3.1 Methodology 6 3.1 Type of investigation 6 3.2 Data collection method 6 3.3 Sampling method 7 3.4 Accessibility issues 7 3.5 Ethical issues 7 3.6 Timetable 8 4 Anticipated findings 9 5. Conclusions 9 References 10 1 Introduction Various companies use different types of marketing techniques over the few decades. To get competitive advantage over the competitors, developed variations of marketing techniques are quieting helpful to the companies. This is referred as market innovation (Verlog, 2007). Companies have to face with different factors in this modern world of business. New legislations developed marketing tools and corporate social responsibilities are among the newer one. Business has to deal with two basic demands which are to earn profit and to maintain a sustain profit ( Verlog, 2007). Though there are many developed application software were used in past by several cell phone companies, they could not sustain in the market for a too much long time because...
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...Environmental Scan Paper Xxx xxxxx MGT 498 September 18, 2013 Professor xxxxxx xxxxx Environmental Scan Paper The vigilant monitoring and firm’s evaluations of internal and external environments to detect signs of early threats and opportunities that influence planning is Environmental scanning (Deresky, 2010). In order to help an organization understanding internal and external factors of the environment that they are requiring for their long-term goals, strategic planning is of the utmost requirement for them. In this paper, I will recognize and explore the situations of internal and external situations used to make these two organizations successful, Coca Cola and Apple. I will also examine the business plans used by the two companies that give them their competitive advantages and how their individual strategies are used to give them sustainability in the market place and increase their market strength through creative and competitive strategic business plans. The measurement guidelines is another avenue explored and how it is used to support the effectiveness for the individual organizations and the effectiveness of the measurement guidelines. This next process is to demonstrate beneficial knowledge for management that wishes to increase long-term efficiencies and develop strategic planning for current and future business endeavors. Dividing the organizations in 2 divisions; 1) The conditions, entities, events, and factors within an organization that influence...
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