...Summary Apple as one of the most famous and successful corporations and brands in the world can attribute its past success to Steve Jobs and their employees. The whole organisation understands the companies (mainly Steve Jobs) vision and philosophy. In Apple, employees think that they can change the world and bring completely new values to the customers by design and innovation. They not only want to deliver these new values in a simple way, but also want to provide the customers with functionalities and features they need and that are competitive. Apple is capable of applying simplicity to the design and innovation of their products and at the same time considering customers' needs. While living this vision and philosophy, Apple does things different as compared to its competitors. Apple is going its own way and sets own industry standards and norms. Apple does not want to be an imitator but rather an innovator, with products and services that mean something special to their customers. The above described vision and philosophy is applied across the whole Apple organisation and all employees understand what Apple wants to stand for. Apple employees are dedicated and take on and fulfill their responsibilities accordingly. The question on hand is; Can Apple keep up its good performance and reputation after Steve Jobs' dead in 2011? 2. Introduction In the following sections, I will highlight some issues and threads that Apple will be facing with its innovation capabilities...
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...Design Thinking and Innovation at Apple | Apple Case Summary | | This documents describes in brief the history of Apple and discuss its strategy to success. In addition this documents also draws similarity between Steve Jobs and the current CEO of Apple Tim Cooks. | | Pradyot Mohanty (Twin Peaks) | 1/17/2012 | | History Apple was founded by Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976 a time when computer was perceived as nothing but a complex computation system which was used only in big corporate firms and operated by qualified professionals. No one had ever imagined that kids at the age of 10 would be playing games, studying science and reading comic books using a small handheld device which does wonders with a simple touch. When one thinks of Apple, the first thing that comes to mind is Steve Jobs and when one is thinking about Steve, Ipod is the first thing that strikes the mind. I believe a company's growth and success is a direct consequence of its leader's vision and direction. And the same is with Apple . Apple's key strength has been innovation by simplicity, the way Steve envisioned it. "Apple's success is not just the result of clever strategic moves or an innate sense of market timing. It came from a deep commitment to understanding how people used computing devices and a desire to develop insanely great products" [Design Thinking and Innovation at Apple, Stefan Thomke]. Apple's history is the proof of its innovative reputation. When Jobs was leading the...
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...UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT | Design Thinking and Innovation at Apple | Case Analysis | | Submitted By Aakriti Acharya Animesh KC Sirjana Shrestha Surendra Pandey | Synopsis Apple is the world’s most successful and leading brand. Due to unique vision, philosophy and dedication of Steve jobs and employees, Apple has been able to maintain its competitive position till date. The employees of Apple provide new values to customer through unique design and innovation. Apple has the ability to understand and deliver the customer’s needs in simple and sophisticated way. The major reason behind the success of apple is its strategy where it develops product that are completely differently than competitors i.e. it believes in being innovator rather than imitator. Case Issues The issues in this case can be listed as: * What are the key factors that have contributed to the innovation and creativity at Apple? * Is there any systematic approach to innovation at Apple? * Will Apple be able to keep up with customer’s expectation and continue to be a leading brand without its founder Steve Jobs? * Which is more important? Innovation or Brand image? Case Facts The facts mentioned in the case are listed below: * Apple went through a lot of turbulent phases and had many ups and down in the past but still, it struggled and never gave up. Due to its commitment towards product design and development it has been able to...
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...9-609-066 REV: MARCH 4, 2010 STEFAN THOMKE BARBARA FEINBERG De esign Th hinking and I Innovation at Apple Th hink different. — Apple Advertising Slogan, 1997 e 7–2002 By the beginnin of March 2010, weeks after the dramatic debut of its iPad, A y ng Apple’s share price remai ined in the US$ 200 range, where it had hovered for more than f six month U d for hs—signaling solid g financ strength and future gr cial a rowth prospec as world e cts economies, an businesses continued t reel nd s, to from the worst rec cession since the Great De epression. Wit a market c th capitalization of nearly US 200 S$ billion and annual sales appro n oaching $50 b billion, Apple was now w e worth more t than the indu ustrial giant General Elec ctric and exce eeded the val of Sony C lue Corporation b a factor of five, even th by hough both f firms had larg revenue b ger bases. All the more amazin ngly, a scant 12 years earlie when Steve Jobs er, e return to Apple, the company share pric had hovere around $5 and the futur was uncert ned , y’s ce ed re tain at best. J Jobs, after all had already been fired fr l, y rom the firm he co-founde almost a d ed decade earlier and r, he wa coming bac when the c as ck company was nearly writte off. Even s through th difficult pe s en so, hat eriod, the co commitme to produc design and development had stayed a ore ent ct t alive. Sin being fou nce unded in 197 Apple has been consid 76, s dered a leading designer and integrat of tor computer hardwa and softw...
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...Summary of Task One The product selected for this project is I phone. Apple has been going through innovations since beginning. A series of innovative products had been introduced by apple that changed the industry trends such as I phones and I pads. They combine the innovation, design and marketing to gain the competitive edge over the competitors. This company is continuously innovating but there is strong competition in the market. Therefore, taking into account the task one will be accomplished. The first task of the assignment is very critical and requires full understanding ad theory application of the learnt material in the course of marketing design and innovation. The first task of the assignment is divided into three sub-tasks. The first task related to the benefits and value which are sought by the consumers utilising the services and products. The values have been very extensively researched out and there are different types of values as according to Anderson et al 2006. In this section, I intend to add the value types and how these values delivers benefits, what specific value and benefit is delivered and what the consumer wants will be reviewed in relations to Apple i-phone. Innovation an important value (Von, 2003) will be discussed in relation to the case. The second sub-section of the assignment required from students to write about the uniqueness of its design elements – shape, colour, design, imagination, relevance and Usefulness (Jordan, 2000). In this section...
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...cost leadership or choosing a niche market. The thinking is that should firms choose to pursue more than one strategy at a time, they 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...
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...IMPORTANCE OF INNOVATION Founded in 1976 by Steven P. Jobs and Stephen G. Wozniak, Microcomputer Design and Manufacturing Company was the first successful personal computer company and was created in the Jobs’ family garage. By 1980 the Apple II, which was encased in plastic with a color graphic display, launched the company to success and contributed to Apple’s earnings of more than $100 million by 1980, the year the company first offered stock to the public. IBMs PC was introduced in 1981 and ran a Microsoft Corporation operating system. This marked the beginning of long-term competition for Apple in the personal computer market. By 1984 the Macintosh was introduced and was the first computer to use a mouse and graphical user interface. Initially, the Mac’s sales were low and Jobs departed from the company by 1985. Shortly before Jobs left Apple, the company found its niche in the desktop publishing market while Microsoft’s operating system tore through Apple’s market share. Jobs returned in 1997 after being recalled by Apple and by introducing more innovative products such as the iMac, he returned the company to profitability. iTunes, software for playing music converted to MP3 format and the iPod, a portable MP3 music player were both introduced in 2001 and by 2003 downloadable copies of major record company songs in MP3 format were being sold by Apple over the Internet. Apple has experienced both success and failure just like any other organization. But since...
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...Apple, Inc. NETW583 Strategic Management of Technology Table of Contents Technology Strategy...1 Core Competencies …2 Industry Dynamics…3 Technology Sourcing and Internal Innovation…4 Product Development Strategy…5 Strategy to Protect Innovation…6 Technology Strategy Apple’s technology strategy is to change the world through technology. They have remodeled the field of consumer electronics. This was not always the case. Initial Apple products such as the Next computer, the Newton PDA, the Lisa computer, the Pippin player and the Apple TV did not do so well. In fact, Apple’s ability to rise above the tide and be successful was in doubt as compared to its competitors like Microsoft. Currently, Apple is among the most profitable and innovative companies in the world with the largest market share for tablets. Creating a good technology strategy is normally a messy affair. Apple’s ability to anticipate and distinguish the direction emerging markets in technology take has been essential to its technology strategy. It has been able to track strategic technologies and use forecast to plan corporate strategies. Apple focuses on product discovery with the goal of creating innovative products that are not understood yet. This underlines its strategy statement, to contribute to the world by making tools for the mind that advances humankind. In order to meet this goal, Apple has continually involved stakeholders. Steve Jobs for example was able to convince record...
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...EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The word innovation and Apple are synonymous, from its inception in 1976 to date; it has innovated repeatedly and unceasingly with the one simple rule “SIMPLICITY”. Innovation being the key word here, the Apple strategy for the same is extremely consumer centric, they constantly create new products by assessing the needs of the consumer/consumers and in the process deliver new and cool products that possess high quality, craftsmanship and design. This case study discusses the company’s approach to creating and delivering products, which were unique and would be considered as breakthrough products. This case study also analyses the impact of Steve Jobs on the company and his employees. This study highlights excerpts from many Apple employees and it apparent from the statements that they make that “Innovation and Customer Experience” as the basic principles they followed and these were the basis for design and development of products. This way of thinking and operating can be emulated by other companies only if they choose to believe and follow the core ideals/principles they set into motion and at the same constantly adapt and change to the needs of the market. The leadership has to be convinced that the path the company is on, is inline with the values and that these values would lead to productivity, while at the same time inspiring the employees to achieve the single common goal. Another key highlight of this study is the vision of Steve Jobs...
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...always expected the best result from people, and it really worked, the team finished the impossible mission and thought it worth the pain. For the design part, Jobs wanted to make apple's product design to be really simple which got from his Zen Buddhism culture. He believed it would be friendly and lead products seems easy to use. However, during their innovation, the problem exist that the fast keeping innovations would let their new product destroy their old ones. During this time, Jobs brought Pepsi's president to Apple with his creative idea that to sale a lifestyle to customers and build Apple Generation. This idea was still kept in Apple Company now. After Mac launched, Jobs made a huge success in the presentation. He let Mac introduced itself to the audiences. The creative action quickly attract everyone's attention and leaded Apple and himself to a new successful field. However, Jobs' extreme desire for control finally hurt Apple, people left Apple since they did not like Jobs' style and they believed Jobs took Apple to a wrong way. Even for his best partner Wozniak decided to start his new company. While the Mac's sales got huge decrease due to its initial problem, the Apple came to its hardest situation. Finally, Jobs lost his control in Apple Company. Reading Notes The readings leaded me to have a serious thinking on working...
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...Managing change and innovation Assignment no 2 Design, Thinking and Innovation at Apple Submitted By- Group 3 Q1. Why has Apple been so successful? What do you attribute it to? Ans1. Apple is a very successful producer of computer software and hardware that leads in its competitive industry. Its success can be contributed to deep commitment of understanding how people used computing devices and a desire to develop insanely great products. They managed to create products what people wanted. The many reasons for Apple’s success are: * Innovation – radical innovation came with consistency. Anyone who used apple II and picked up iphone three decades later would find a familiar object .they were different , but the same. * Though they kept innovating, the look of their product and their use was steady. * Company’s obsession with secrecy – product concepts and early prototypes are never shown in public. * Bold business experimentation – to move into retail. It built retail stores when competitors were moving to direct sales and distribution models. * Kept things simple – simplicity in design and use – it helped people love their equipment and experience of using it animated. * They gave painstaking attention to details; even small detail like the...
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...Mental Models and Mindsets OI/361 Mental Models and Mindsets For every successful business the mental models of leadership stimulates growth. The way people react to creativity, design and innovation are all a part of the mental model map. Only after learning the mental makeup of others, understanding the basic approaches to the mental model can one effectively make sensible recommendations to alter thought patterns. Only after understanding the makeup of the model can we understand and change not only others mental models but also our own as well. Four Steps Crook and Gunther (2005), stated there are four ways to affect the many ways individuals think. Firstly, individuals must understand his or her mental models. Secondly, after recognizing his or her thought patterns, the individual must test new approaches to the same situation. Thirdly, the person trying to make a change must overcome a variety of inhibitors to change, such as the expectations of others, lack of information, lack of trust, and the desire to hold on to the old patterns. Lastly, the individual must implement the change in thinking patterns.” These four steps can help Apple continue to be creative and innovative in producing products that satisfy consumers’ needs and wants. It will also improve the culture of the organization if employees use these steps daily. Employees will start to understand their own mental model and be able to adapt to any situation in a positive way...
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...Creative Hero If you are a computer/smartphone user or enjoy music, chances are that you own an Apple product. As an Apple product user, you may be familiar with one of the original men behind the design of their famous products, Steve Jobs. Since the inception of Apple, Steve has had a vision of taking clunky, inelegant devices and greatly improving them through innovation and design. Through his creative thinking and powerful ideas, Steve Jobs has transformed the design industry by creating trends that many other designers strive to mirror. As a result, Steve Jobs’ legacy of innovation remains resilient and constant for the creative industry, giving it the motivation to continuously push the limits of design. Steve Jobs was the first person to create a new way of bringing computers to the home and grew from there ("About Money", 2014). Steve Jobs first created the personalized computer and grew from there ("About Money", 2014). His employment at Atari and ownership of Apple gave him the creative room to grow and create bigger and better things. The similarities of Jobs' and Limor Fried's electrical engineering skills and innovative ways allow them to create amazing companies. Jobs' also parallels Shiego Shingo life as Jobs and Shingo were thought to be the leader in their fields. The groundbreaking changes they brought about with the process of thinking in computers and manufacture engineering was superior to the industry. People differ in their inherent creativity...
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...Apple has had some great success in creating electronics for the average consumer some have changed the business world forever. Apple has been able to change the way people view electronics. Some of the successful products they introduced into peoples everyday lives are the IPad, The Cloud, IMac and the IPod. Apple has also had multiple failures over the years. Some of these failures were, the Power Mac G4 Cube and Apple TV. The IPad has revolutionized the way people control their company. The IPad can do almost anything a business needs it to. With all the applications it has a person can run his or her business from anywhere in the world. The IPad is lightweight and portable and easy to use. Apple has designed so many peripherals to go with the IPad to make working with it easier. You can get an external keyboard that connects via Bluetooth, you can put your presentation onto a big screen TV so that the whole company can view it, and if you get bored from working all the time you can sit back and relax and watch a movie or play a game. The best thing that apple did was invent the cloud for apple users. The cloud acts like an external hard drive that you don’t have to carry around with you. If you have Internet access, you can access the Cloud from anywhere. The Cloud holds all your information you put on it in a secure offsite location. You can store anything on the Cloud from music and movies to word documents and PowerPoint presentations. The IPod has made...
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...MMWHTI Assignment 15 Design thinking and Innovation at Apple A Write-Up Abhiroop Mankin(1311072) Why has Apple been so successful? What do you attribute it to? What are the key reasons for Apple's success? Are Apple product so successful because of the brand status and premium pricing? Many believe that Apple is so successful because of their marketing and brand status. Is it really true or there is something else? Do Apple products really stand out amongst all its competitors? I'm no expert in Apple products nor am I what is called an "Apple fan-boy" but I will highlight the reasons why I think Apple is successful: 1. Simplicity One of the things that fascinated me about Apple products was its sheer simplicity. A device which is an audio/video player, and has several additional features can be operated with the help of two buttons. An inner round button coupled with the outer "click" wheel could in essence operate the whole device. Apple has exported this outlook to all their other products, and tries to make them as simple as possible; products which the Average Joe could operate with ease. Apple is a classic example of simplicity and ease of use over everything else. 2. Beauty Aesthetic value is of prime importance when it comes to Apple. When was the last time you looked at an Apple product and thought it was ugly? The built, design and form factor of their products along with the choice of material used is usually spot on. More than a Samsung Galaxy S5...
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