MKTG 1102 – Set K Anne Marie Webb-Hughes The Zen Group (Group B) Allysa Bikowski Sam Bryant Sarah Crossin Jeron Dillon Kevin Giles Theresa Lawson David McConville October 22, 2009
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Problem Identification Research in Motion (RIM) will face considerable challenges moving forward. The most relevant questions at hand for the company are, “How can RIM successfully gain a more significant market share of the consumer market?” and, “How will RIM maintain its brand dominance within the business market?” Key Findings RIM, founded in 1984, is the pioneer of smartphone technology and the developer, manufacturer and marketer of the most popular portable communication device in the world, the Blackberry. Unveiled in 1998, the BlackBerry is a truly innovative product that has changed the face of business. In August 2009, Fortune Magazine named RIM the fastest growing company in the world and according to British Broadcasting Corporation, RIM profits have increased by 84% and revenues by 77% in the last three years (Fortune Magazine, 2009). Furthermore, Schonfeld (2009) reports that 56% of all smartphones in the United States are Blackberries and the bestselling smartphone of 2009 is the Blackberry Curve. Despite this success and growth, RIM faces significant challenges. The greatest challenges currently confronting RIM are maintaining its market dominance in the business market and increasing their market share in the consumer market. While RIM holds a good position in the business market, competition in this realm is increasing rapidly. In fact, in a recent study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates, polling customers who use their smart phones primarily for business purposes were polled, iPhone outclassed Blackberry (JD Power and Associates, 2009). The results of this poll are indicative of the increased competition in the
