...Unit One – Case Analysis: Apple, inc. Strategic Human Resources Management Unit One – Case Analysis The intended goal of this paper is to explain strategic management and why it is crucial to the success of an organization in meeting its goals and mission. The focus will be on the case study provided by the Harvard Business School on the company Apple, Inc. from the year 2008. I will give a brief overview of the case and identify issues or problems therein. Alternate solutions to solve the problems Apple, Inc. faces will be identified. The best solution to permanently resolve these issues and problems and an implementation plan will be outlined. The computer circuit board, named Apple I, created in a garage on April Fools’ Day 1976 was the beginning of Apple, Inc. Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and A. C. Markkula Jr., the creators, became the industry leaders in 4 years, finally launching their IPO in 1980. Since its inception, Apple has fought to continually and steadily increase its market share and profits worldwide. Technical innovation has been no problem for this company with its numerous devices available. Their competition from Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Acer, and others and trying to compete made the company falter. According to Slind and Yoffie, Hewlett-Packard led the market share with 18.8% and Apple followed with a mere 2.6% in 2007 (2008, pg. 21). But after some hard work and diligence on Jobs’ end, Apple once again began to flourish. One obvious problem for...
Words: 992 - Pages: 4
...Unit 1 Case Analysis: Apple Inc. Background In January 2007, Apple Computer Inc was renamed Apple Inc. after 30 years of being a very productive organization. Apple Inc. changed from being known as strictly a Macintosh computer company into a diverse technology company that is known for its art, video, and graphics. They presented this diversity by selling new products such as; the Ipod used together with the iTunes store and the iPhone. In 2008, Apple Inc earned a profit of $1.07 billion from revenue of $7.46 billion. Over half of Apples income was generated from the sales in these new products (Yoffie &Slind, 2008). Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple Computer in April 1976. Their first computer was called the Apple I. Apple Computer was incorporated in 1977 by bring on another partner, A.C. “Mike” Markkula, Jr. With the help of Markkula, Jobs and Wozniak introduced the Apple II computer in 1978. The Apple II drove the PC industry up to $1 billion in annual sales in less than three years. Apple, of course was the industry leader by selling more than 100,000 Apple IIs by the end of 1980 (Yoffie &Slind, 2008). Apple Inc. Obstacles In 1981, IBM entered the market with its DOS operating system and a microprocessor from Intel. This made them competitors for Apple because IBM’s system was one that other producers could clone. Apple saw a 6.2% drop in their market shares in 1982 and the net income fell 17% between 1983 and 1984. This left the company in dire...
Words: 1590 - Pages: 7
...APPLE, INC. CASE ANALYSIS Written by: Jessica A. Mahfoudi AMBA 640 Dr. Larry Williams University of Maryland University College February 25, 2013 This page is intentionally blank EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Management Information Systems allow companies to remain competitive in today’s fast-paced world and especially when conducting business on the Internet. Organizations must adapt to technological advances and innovations to keep pace with today’s rapidly changing environment (Baltzan, 2012). Every day there is some type of new technology, new internet site, new software or hardware program that someone is learning how to use. Apple, being a major technology company needs to keep up with these advances to keep their customers happy. This paper focuses on Apple, Inc., its competitive advantage and the challenges Apple faces to stay in the top of consumer reports. Data, information, business intelligence and knowledge are discussed and how they are relevant to the production of Apple products. Knowledge cannot be acquired until data, information and business intelligence are researched. The paper then goes on to discuss Porter’s Five Forces Model and how it is applied to Apple, Inc. and its products. Apple has lowered the threat of substitute products by including a great variety of features on all of their products. Since the original iPhone's release about four years ago, the threat of substitute products or services has greatly decreased...
Words: 4317 - Pages: 18
...Apple, Inc. SWOT Recommendation Outline Strengths * Market leader * Diversified products and markets * Superior revenue and margins * Ongoing innovative product design * Superior supply chain and manufacturing efficiencies * Product reliability * Highly effective advertising * Ongoing use of superior operating systems * Worldwide demand for the iPhone * Mac’s increasing domestic market share * Management is committed and confident * Allowing iTunes songs to be sold online without DRM | Weaknesses * The loss of Steve Job’s visionary spirit and superior leadership * Lack of compatibility options in its software * High R&D costs * iPhone’s late move to Verizon network * Safari’s conservative interface compared with Google Chrome’s * Apple does not have it’s own processors or memory, they rely on other companies for them * No plans to producte a netbook laptop | Opportunities * Expansion to a broader range of customers with lower cost product options. * Targeting of government and additional educational institutions. * Entry to new foreign markets. * Constant growth in the PC and smartphone segment. * Expansion into the gaming market * Growing market of energy efficient products * Production of Netbooks | Threats * Competitors with less expensive products * Competition in technology with other key players in the PC industry like HP, Dell, Acer * Competitors trying to recreate iTunes * Increasing popularity...
Words: 788 - Pages: 4
...Introduction Apple Inc. is a company with a legendary history, largely responsible for the development of personal computers. Apple was not the first company that has distributed a portable media player, but it appearance exceeded all predecessors: Apple was aware of the expansion of the Internet and it understood what his predecessors did not: that the future of the media ultimately will be linked to the development of trade on the Internet market. Being aware of the inevitability of change, Apple has applied the principle known as the "Law of Chum", which states that "commotion" destroy traditional and create new platforms ideal for more innovation, and according to that, the complex networks in order not only survive but also progress,...
Words: 1327 - Pages: 6
...The present case study «Apple Inc. in 2010» deals with the main problems of Apple Inc. (previously known as Apple Computer, Inc. for the first 30 years) - an American multinational corporation that along with its subsidiaries designs, manufactures and sells personal computers, consumer electronics and software. The company's best-known hardware products are the Macintosh line of computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad. Its most popular software includes the Mac OS X - a PC operating system and iOS – а mobile operating system as well as the iTunes media store. By 2009 Apple Inc. had over 300 retail stores in several countries. It is one of the largest publicly traded companies in the world by market capitalization, as well as the largest technology company in the world by revenue and profit. As of 2010, the company had approximately 46,600 full-time employees. Within the last decade (2000-2010) Apple has successfully introduced three major innovations – iPod in 2001, iPhone in 2007 and iPad in 2010. To view how the company got so successful let us review in short the history and growth of the Apple Inc. over the years. As we know it was founded in 1976 by Steven Jobs and Stephen Wozniak, two young talented electronics masterminds both in their early twenties, who unfortunately dropped out of college. Their first computer was manufactured in the Jobs family's garage and called Apple I. The company was incorporated in 1977 and was named Apple Computer, Inc., but the word "Computer"...
Words: 1803 - Pages: 8
...Apple Inc. in 2008 Problem Statement Innovation and unique user experience can basically outline the value proposition by Apple Inc. that brought the corporation to success. Apart from these, it is still necessary for Apple to develop a suitable strategic profile from time to time to cope with changing market environment. However, the rather unchanged strategies throughout decades and unsustainable competitive advantages could have been the hindrances from further success, as seen from low return on equity in early 2000s as well as low market share in the personal computer industry, which stayed below 3% from year 2000. Facing intense competitions, Apple should create sustainable competitive edge in order to maintain its leader position in multiple markets. Analysis With global recognition, the success of Apple Inc. can be attributed to its multi-faceted comparative advantages. From the marketing perspective, Apple Inc. has done successful product differentiation. Most of its products, including Macintosh, iPod and iPhone, have proprietary designs that are recognised as sleek, unique and fashionable. It also provides own high-quality bundled software to power the hardware so as to provide a complete user experience and desktop solution to customers. These represent the simple positioning strategy of Apple: staying in the premium market as being superior and distinctive. Second, its high spending in research and development (R&D) fuelled multiple “revolutionary” innovations...
Words: 899 - Pages: 4
...will be hard to duplicate from the competition (Dess, et al., 2005). Sustaining a competitive advantage became hard for Apple Inc. as noticed in the Harvard Business School Premier Case. Therefore, this paper is an analysis of Apple, Inc. based on a 7-year old case written by David Yoffie and Michael Slind published by Harvard Business School (Yoffie, et al., 2008). The following paper examines in detail the strategies utilized by the company as outlined in the strategic management steps. Several recommendations are also proposed to handle the issues surrounding the organization. Summation Apple Inc. was created by two college dropouts, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak and later joined by A.C. Markkula, Jr; they created the company with one circuit board (Apple I) and turned into 200 sales within two months time (Yoffie, et al., 2008). The company developed a premium-price differentiation strategy; in which two years later, Apple II was introduced to the world. Apple II tripled company sales to more than 100,000 in less than two years compared to Apple I (Yoffie, et al., 2008). This paper analyzes and reviews the strategies utilized by Apple Inc. based on my comprehension of strategic management; and propose recommendations for several problems that Apple faced to become a successful billion dollar company. Situation and Pending Decision Analyzing the case presented a huge problem for Steve Jobs and his management team, was the company’s success acquired recently a temporary...
Words: 1367 - Pages: 6
...Apple Inc. in 2012 case study Executive Summary According to the case “Apple Inc. in 2012”, it was clearly illustrate that Apple Inc. is one the largest computer manufacturer in the world. The Apple company has a perfect concept and operating systems of manufacturing new products in which launch to the customers. Also, there are some other companies try to imitate the Apple Inc., but some of them were failed. The main purpose of this report is to seek the problems of the Apple Inc. and give an efficient recommendation for the company to help them get better development in the future. 1. Introduction Apple company began as “Apple Computer” and best known for sell Macintosh personal computers in the 1980s and 1990s. (David B, Y, Rossano, P 2012) When Steve Jobs became CEO of Apple Inc. in 1997, the company had changed from near bankruptcy to one of the largest and most profitable companies in the world. Also there are a number of challenges while Jobs need to face his successor. After that, Tim Cook became the new CEO of Apple Inc., he was decided to choose different approach in which distinguish with Steve Jobs to develop the company perform well in the future. However, with the different period, Apple Inc. to change their management very often in these years, such as Sculley, or Spindler, Amelio were served in the company in different period. The liquid management should be an issue in which connected with Apple Inc.. Furthermore, Apple Inc. was using the market...
Words: 1125 - Pages: 5
...Course Name: Unit Number: Case Name: Apple Inc. Case Study Analysis Introduction This analysis is based on Apple Inc. case study in which the strategic management is analyzed. In the process of analyzing this concept, the article also indentifies the issues and problems as they are presented together with the identification of the major issues surrounding the organization and individuals that are involved with the Apple Inc. Alternative course of action is addressed together with the recommendation that is based on the analysis. Understanding strategic management Through strategic management, a series of moves are developed and executed with an aim of enhancing the organization to be successful in the current situation and also in the future. As the Apple Inc aggressive history is analyzed, a slew of examples are unveiled with an illustration of the irreproducible ability in the effort to have an adoption as well as own market creation. Apple’s strategic management The success of Apple Inc. has been based on its ability to integrate into its model of business operation a management that is strategic. Through strategic management diligent involvement, Apple Inc. has been able to ensure that it is not maneuvered; a strategy that has enabled the company for the past 3 decades to emerge as successful in the competition. However, believing that Apple Inc. has not gone through some setbacks would be illogical. In fact, this...
Words: 1005 - Pages: 5
...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
...Case Analysis – Strategic Management – Apple, Inc. Introduction The purpose of this paper is to explain the definition of Strategic Management and why it is critical to the success of an organization in meeting its goals and mission. The analysis will The paper will include a brief analysis of the situation and pending decision problem, as presented in the case and in relevance to the answer. In addition, the major issues will be surrounding the organization or individuals involved with the organization. Included will be alternate courses of action to address the issues identified. Next, will be the decision or recommendation for action, with the appropriate supporting arguments if any. Statement of the Problem(s): Thousands of people were laid off at Apple, Inc. It does not look like Apple, Inc. spent much time working on its management and marketing strategies from the beginning. It was not until better marketers such as Jobs and Sculley came into the picture, before the company started to expand to better markets with acquisitions and joint ventures. The problem was not changing their strategy sooner. The jobs are what contribute to a company’s effectiveness (Mello, 2011, p. 115) and if they kept their employees it might have contributed to earlier success. It is human capital that helps companies to strive. For Apple, Inc. to lay off employees to help their financial statement for stakeholders may have been part of the cause of the problem (Yoffie...
Words: 1470 - Pages: 6
...Strategic Management Analysis of the strategy of the Strategic Management – Analysis of the Strategy of the Apple, Inc. 15 June 2012 List of contents List of contents …..…..…………………….………………………………….….………… 2 List of figures …………….…….……………………………….…………........................ 3 1. Executive Summary ……………………………………..….…………….….…………. 4 2. Historical development ………………….……..………………..…..……..………...… 4 3. Environmental analysis …………………………………………………..…………...... 8 3.1 Company description ………………………………………………..…………….. 8 3.2 The SWOT Analysis of Apple …….………………………………..…………….. 10 3.3 The most influential competitors ……………………...…………..……………... 12 3.4 PEST Analysis …...…………………………………………………….…..……… 14 4. Business Analysis of Apple ……………………………………………………..……. 16 4.1 Portfolio overview …..……………………………………..………………………. 16 4.1 Corporate Identity ……………………………………….………………………… 18 4.2 Corporate Social Responsibility …………...………………………………….… 18 5. Conclusion ………………………..…..…………..……………………………………. 19 List of references ………………………..…..………..…..…………………………..….. 20 Appendix ………………….…………………………………………………………… 21-25 -2- Strategic Management – Analysis of the Strategy of the Apple, Inc. 15 June 2012 List of figures Figure 1: Apple’s 183M smartphone sell until Q1/2012 ...……………………………… 7 Figure 2: Apple net sales by product 2011 ……………………………………………… 9 Figure 3: Apple sales by product 2010 ………………………..………………….……… 9 Figure 4: Apple’s sales by product line ………………………………………...………. 10 Figure 5: Key Executives...
Words: 5730 - Pages: 23
...GB520: Strategic Human Resource Management Professor Susan Pettine Kaplan University Apple Inc. Case Study 2008 Apple Inc. Case Analysis Introduction The 2008 Harvard Business Case Study on Apple Inc, describes the illustrious company which is fast becoming the wealthiest company ever with a net worth of $500 billion dollars. It illustrates how the company has had some issues, but still find a way to yet sustain its’ name and position over the years. The status of the company was examined in detail by the article which revealed a number of strategic moves under the leadership of several CEO’s in marketing, the PC industry and the consumer electronics industry. This paper offers an analysis of how I view Apple Inc. using the Strategic Management Process. Therefore, the latter part will offer recommendations of some difficulties Apple Inc. faced as it made successful changes (Slind & Yoffie, 2008). Synopsis (Background) of the Situation April 1, 1976 Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak cofounded Apple Computer in Los Angeles, California from Jobs garage; they built a computer circuit board and named it Apple I. In just a few months they sold 200, in less than three years Apple had annual sales of $1billion which quickly propelled them an industry leader. Apple was thriving to a degree that seemed to be beyond the capacity of Apple computer. Although Mac sales surged in recent years, Apple’s share of the PC market consistently...
Words: 1437 - Pages: 6
...Name Course Instructor Date Situation Analysis 1 Key objectives 1 Competition 2 Current performance 2 Cultural and structural issues 2 Organizational resources 3 Environmental analysis 3 Political Analysis 3 Economic Analysis 3 Social Analysis 3 Technological Analysis 4 SWOT Analysis 4 Strengths 4 Weaknesses 4 Opportunities 5 Threats 5 Marketing process 5 Marketing mix 5 Products 5 Distribution Strategy 6 Promotion Strategy 6 Integrated Marketing Strategies 7 Situation Analysis Key objectives Apple was voted the general victor of the 2012 CMO Survey Award for Marketing Excellence. Apple has been chosen as the victor or co-champ for five back to back years by the example of top advertisers. Apple's unique points: 1. Empathy – Apple comprehends the needs of their customer superior to other organizations. 2. Focus – keeping in mind the end goal to benefit a vocation of the things the company chooses to do, Apple pans to dispose of the majority of the irrelevant opportunities 3. Impute –Apple may have the best item, the most elevated quality, the most helpful programming, and so forth; the company displays its product in an imaginative, proficient way to ascribe the coveted qualities ("Corporate Goals And Objectives For Global Final Paper- Apple Inc."). Competition Apple is being led by Samsung as purchasers are requesting telephones with bigger screens at less expensive costs. Indeed, even with the presentation of iPhone...
Words: 3092 - Pages: 13
