...Case Study: The Strategic Management of Apple Inc. GB520 Strategic Human Resources Management Professor Andrew Klein May 7, 2013 Strategic Management “Strategic management refers to the art of planning your business at the highest possible level” (What is strategic, 2011). A great example of strategic management is the story of Apple, Inc., formally known as Apple Computers. This story is innovative, includes traditional business strategies, an amazing record in leading change and unplanned successes. Steve Jobs, one of Apple’s founders, made the companies mission to be, “to bring an easy-to-use computer to the market” (Yoffie, 2008). When Apple went public in late 1980 the company immediately took on a new objective – to make the stockholders money. The company had several entrusted members that had different managerial strategies that were used to accomplish the objectives. Since the company was founded it has maintained a strategy of continuous innovation in product and application development. In the beginning Apple’s products were easy to use, revolutionary and profitable; however they struggled due to the lack of alliances with other industries. In the early 90’s Apple began reaching out to other industries to establish alliances and that proved to be a strategic move in order to ensure Apple achieved the company’s original mission as well as meet the stockholders demand of making money. Apple’s Leadership Steve Jobs along side of Steve Wozniak founded...
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...Elexa Powell Unit 1 – Apple Case Analysis Strategic Human Resources Management GM520-01 December 6, 2011 Introduction Organizations experience changes throughout the course of business. Industries experience natural up’s and downs, it is the in between times that organization must focus its efforts to determine if the organization is headed in the right direction. Bliss (n.d.) believed that strategic management was the art of making plans and implementing the plans to exhibit long term profits for and organization. Analysis Apple Inc has experienced many industry highs and lowers from its inception over thirty years ago. In an industry that was previously unheard of Apple Inc forged its way to the top experiencing many setbacks, restructures and changes in leadership style and plan. Not all of the changes were beneficial for the organization but ultimately the organization was able to make adjustment and stabilize to become a household name (Yoffie, D. & Slind, M., 2008). Major Issue The major issues surrounding Apple Inc. history is the contrast leadership changes. With each change the new leader had a better way of doing business and many instances it was incorrect. One key component in strategic management is to understand the cause and affect of leadership decisions both long term and short term (Bliss, n.d.). The leadership team believed that sudden changes would bring immediate results when in fact it result in significant...
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...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 Apple was the constant...
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...Final Business Model and Strategic Plan Graciela Venegas, Christopher Nieto BUS 475 Claudia Camacho 2-23-2015 Table of Contents Abstract 3 Executive Summary 4 Strategies 6 Conceptualizing in Business 7 SWOTT Analysis 11 Balance Scorecard 17 Reference 23 Abstract Our final business model will be discussed in this paper. We will emphasize the important factors that will contribute to the completion of our intended service. It is important to understand our mission, in order to understand the importance of our new service. We have gathered all of the relevant information which starts from describing our product to describing the necessary tools to properly implement and create this new service for Apple, Inc. Executive Summary Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Cupertino, California, that designs, develops and sells consumer electronics, computer software, online services, and personal computers. We will be focusing on Apple, Inc. to create a new service that will not only impact Apple's reputation in a positive way, but it will also promote more success. Apple, Inc. has many innovated products that have been popular in our industry, we have decided to incorporate a system in this particular company as popularity, and business success is part of it. We have decided to launch a service to customers with disabilities, this will be intended to help them get...
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...Implementation, Strategic Controls, and Contingency Plans Apple Inc. STR / 581 March 3, 2014 Professor Wallace Introduction Apple Inc. is a leading global retailer of computers, tablets, cell phones, and other entertainment items. Apple needs new growth methods, product development and be the leader in the mobile market. The implementation plan below will identify the course of action best suited for the corporation along with the implementation process, assessed risks and financial projections that will be used as the basis for moving the business forward. Implementation plan Apple Inc. is currently in a transition period, after the death of Steve Jobs, and seeking methods that will allow the company to regain market share. This implementation is primarily concerned with how to diversify the product offerings, regain customer loyalty and be the leader in the mobile market. An implementation plan is a “detailed listing of activities, costs, expected difficulties, and schedules that are required to achieve the objectives of the strategic plans” ("Implementation Plan," 2014). The plan addresses the following areas of concern: short-term objectives, initiate specific functional tactics, outsource nonessential functions and design an effective reward. Objective: To expand sales to customers who do not yet own Apple’s products. To produce hassle free products for the enjoyment for customers. To become the leader in the mobile market. Strategy: Expanding the company’s...
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...Keller Graduate School of Management HR587 Managing Organization Change Course Project Draft - Prepared By: Preferred Organization: Apple Inc. - Organization Culture and Change Introduction/Organization: In this draft, we would like to discuss about Apple Inc.’s organization culture and major organization change happened in the organization and analysis of a successful organization change. Every organization has a culture of its own. And every organization undergoes organization change depending on the situation, change process is implemented by the organization for the benefits of employees, or change process may be implemented to satisfy customers or for the organization growth. The Apple Inc. story starts in 1976 with the birth of a company called Apple Computer around the creation of a system called the ‘Apple 1’ by Steven Wozniak and Steven Jobs. Apple Inc. went through a variety of dramatic changes to the company’s structure along with its performance and losses remained a continuing consistency. This project, we will discuss about organization change in Apple Inc., i.e. Restructuring of Apple Inc., implementing new technologies and shifting strategy. We believe this organization is a perfect example of undergoing major organizational change and it was a company where it started from nothing to become one of the top companies in computer and technological world. In near future we can only see rapid reaction of Apple Inc.’s growing tremendously...
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...many businesses, it requires recreating the corporate image and vision and utilizing strategic management to sustain competitive edge. Apple, Inc. is just one example of a company that constantly readdressed its strategic vision and image. During the 1990s, Apple suffered from its multiple changes in executive management and inconsistent strategies. Under Steve Jobs’s leadership, Apple’s vision was to be a continuous pioneer in the PC industry in order to become “an enduring company where people were motivated to make great products...a company that will stand for something a generation or two from now” (Katzenbach, 2012, para. 5). Unlike previous CEOs and much of the competition, Jobs continually strived to keep Apple innovative and exert cultural influence. However, this focus on innovation has forced Apple to continually adapt and offer new products to maintain a marginal advantage in an rigorously competitive industry. The 1990s In the early 1990s, Apple Computer was well received and uniquely valued by PC consumers. This enabled Apple to offer its products at premium prices. However, senior management realized that creating products valued as unique was not enough to sustain profitability. As IBM, its major competitor, dropped prices, Apple needed to alter its business strategy by offering “products and prices designed to regain market share” (Yoffie & Slind, 2008, p. 3). Apple Computer then went through numerous changes in corporate leadership, employed strategies...
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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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...“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 Inc Strategic Recommendations for the Future Apple Inc is a globally respected business organisation and is an acknowledged pioneer in its areas of operations in the technology sector. Primarily a manufacturer and marketer of personal computers and peripherals, software and networking solutions, the company’s product line includes the Macintosh range of desktop and notebook PCs, the Mac OS X operating system, the IPod digital music player, the ITunes music store, the IPhone, the IPad tablet, the X Serve G5 servers and X Serve storage products (Apple Computer Inc, 2011, p 1). The company sells its products through its chain of retail stores, third party wholesalers and online channels. The company’s main markets are in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Japan and South East Asia. It also has a growing presence in China and India (Apple Computer Inc, 2011, p 2). Apple’s vision statement is elaborated as “man is the creator of change in this world. As such he should be above systems and structures and not subordinate to them”. The company’s mission statement is as under: “Apple is committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software and internet offerings”. (Masi, 2009, p 2) 2. External Analysis 2.1. Environmental Analysis Apple Inc is one of the largest of global corporations in terms of market capitalisation and has important products...
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...A Critical Analysis about Competitive Advantage of Apple Inc. based on the Porter`s Five Force Model Northeastern University Strategic Leadership Xiaolong Cao Instructed by James Lux June 6th 2016 Abstract This article aims to detect two key areas in Apple`s competitive advantage through using Porter`s Five Force model. According to the knowledge learned from class, there is no forever lasting competitive advantage, so through analyzing the case of Steve Jobs competitive strategy it presents a clear and reasonable structure and explanation of their competitive advantage. After doing this analysis, this article helps to fine both the disadvantage and advantage of their competitive advantage, and each of them contains two aspects according to Porter`s Five Force Model, which provides a reliable and meaningful support to test and excavate the effect of competitive advantage and future developing orientation. Introduction In the modern time, there are numerous resources that identify the importance of the competitive strategy. The ever growing technological trends and volatility within business operations in today's society make it extremely difficult for organizations to stay complacent with their strategies. Adjustments and new ideas need to constantly be developed to be able to maintain a competitive edge. The most obvious examples happen in IT industry, high performance laptop was a competitive advantage 2 years...
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...0 QUESTION 1 2.0 INTRODUCTION Apple a renowned technology company completely took the world by storm when it introduced its latest product; the iPad which completely changed how users interacts with computing devices and bridged the gap between holding a phone and having a laptop. Apple Inc, practically came back from a near bankrupt company to one of the world’s most valuable company taking on the music and movie industry with its itunes store; changed the way music is carried about with the ipod; had a huge impact in the telecommunication sector with its unveiling of the iphone, took on the advertising industry with its simplistic adverts and marketing strategy and with its sophisticated operating system (Macintosh and iOS), it has set itself apart from its competitors. Apple’s success was driven by Steve Jobs, a man who tech fanatics describe as Jesus in the tech world because of the vital role he played in redefining technology. Sutter (2011a) describes Jobs as the most indispensable chief executive on the planet. ‘Apple is Steve Jobs and Steve Jobs is apple’ he said. Apple was grieved to find out that its visionary and charismatic chief executive was bereft of life and the whole world including its huge customer base where all in a dilemma of hurt and uncertainty. 3.0 HR ISSUES Focusing on apple’s strategic framework (as developed by Sparrow and Pettigrew), it faces a number of human resource issues some of which are a. If apple was to create cheaper products, it...
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...Running head: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT REPORT OF APPLE, INC. Strategic management report of Apple, Inc. Xu Ruiqing FTDipFM10 Kaplan Higher Education Academic February 6th 2013 Table of Contents Running head: STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT REPORT OF APPLE, INC. 1 Table of Contents 2 1. Introduction 3 2. SWOT 4 2.1 Strengths 4 2.2 Weakness 4 2.3 Opportunities 4 2.4 Threats 5 3. External analysis (general environment) 5 3.1 Politics/legal 5 3.2 Economic conditions 5 3.3 Social forces 6 3.4 Technological factors 7 3.5 Environmental factors 8 4. External analysis (competitive environment) 8 4.1 Intensity of rivalry among competitors 8 4.2 The threat of new entrants 8 4.3 The threat of substitutes 9 4.4 Suppliers 9 4.5 Customers 10 5. Internal environment analysis 10 5.1 Resource types 10 5.2 Firms capabilities 11 6. Conclusion 11 7. Recommendations 12 Reference 13 1. Introduction Apple incorporated was first established as a computer company by Steve Jobs in 1976, but in 2001, Apple broke the barrier with iPod, eventually becoming the dominant market leader in music players. In following, Apple joined the phone industry in 2007 with the iPhone, which has gained a huge success and been developed to the 6th generation today. Nowadays, Apple has developed several of products such as Apple TV, MacBook, iTunes, etc. However, after Steve Jobs, the ex-CEO of Apple, passed away, the stock price of Apple once made new...
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...Marketing Strategy of Apple Computers Inc. Introduction Marketing Strategy of Apple Computers INC. Introduction Apple was founded by Steven Jobs and Stephen Wozniak in 1976; Apple computer Company revolutionized the personal computer industry and brought forward the expansion of the clean industry within the New West. Situated within California, the company’s initial product was the Apple I, a single-board processor with on-board storage (ROM), that was marketed for approximately $650 not including a monitor or keyboard. Orders instantly soared, and Jobs and Wozniak quickly brought out the Apple II, including a keyboard, color monitor, and expansions for peripheral devices (Birzer & Schweikart 2003). In 1984, Apple introduced the Macintosh that was aimed toward the business and education markets, by which era the corporate had already not only modified the American market but had reshaped entire areas of the West around silicon. In 1996, after a series of CEOs did not keep Apple profitable, Steve Jobs came back to the company for an interim period as corporate executive and shortly launched a brand new promoting and licensing relationship with Microsoft. In 2000 his direct sales idea, the Apple Store brought the business back into the black (Birzer & Schweikart 2003). In 1994 Apple computers launched a brand new line of computers that supported the PowerPC processor chip. The creation of the new chip was a venture between Apple Computers, IBM, and Motorola, and since the...
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...Name: Course: College: Tutor: Date: Apple Inc. Analysis & Strategic Management Introduction Strategic management is the process by which an organization drafts, implements and evaluates cross-functional decisions that enable the organization to achieve its long-term objectives. It entails the process of specifying the mission of the organization, its vision, objectives and the development of the various strategies to achieve the objectives of the organization. Apple Inc. (Apple) has managed to create substantial value in the highly competitive personal computer industry, by innovating and forging a path considerably different from those of the largest competitors in the industry. The corporation also successfully differentiates its products from those of the competitors by choosing to focus on quality, design elegance, and superior customer service, while outsourcing actual manufacturing to trusted original equipment manufacturers. Yet, despite the advantages, Apple has created for itself, the stiff competition within the industry and other external factors present formidable challenges to the firm. The personal computer/notebook market is becoming increasingly commoditized, leading to intense rivalry among competitors within the industry, driving prices down and creating potentially destructive price wars (Buy, 2009). Utilizing key resources and capabilities including industry-leading design teams, talented software and hardware engineers, backed by a sizeable research...
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