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Apple Inc in 2012

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EMBA 8700 – Apple Case Write-Up
Executive Summary
Apple Inc. is a global producer of personal computers, portable digital music players, and mobile communication devices for the consumer electronics industry. The company is also a provider of complementary software, services, accessories and peripherals, networking solutions, third-party applications and digital content. The company’s core strategic position is to differentiate themselves by delivering the best user experience through a combination of innovative industrial design (hardware) and software harmoniously working in concert resulting in a price premium that exceeds the cost of being unique. From an industry standpoint [see Chart 1], rivalry in consumer electronics is extremely high where product differentiation is short-lived (i.e. copycats). Even “the most valuable company in the world” cannot slow down. The industry, the competition, and advancements in technology are dynamic and continue to evolve at lightning speed. Apple must stick to its blueprint of success over the last two decades – differentiated product development and operational excellence without losing sight of the customer’s value chain – or risk falling behind and dropping market share.
Analysis
As a company, Apple has created an enviable and unique position in the industry of being able to design, manufacture, and market their own operating system, develop their own customer friendly hardware and application software, creating an ecosystem that is simple to use and delivers seamless integration. In addition they have been able to shape the industry around them through complementary product offerings. This was not by accident, rather, it was a specific choice made by their leader, Steve Jobs, after his return to Apple Inc. in 1997.
Despite such a strong, differentiating posture in 2012, Apple Inc. had to reinvent itself multiple

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