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Strategic Group for Apple

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strategic group for Apple

http://www.scribd.com/doc/24134877/Strategic-Analysis-of-Apple-Inc-Brian-Masi
Focus on differentiated lifestyle branding:
Apple has successfully developed adifferentiated lifestyle brand and must continue to build on this foundation whileresisting pressure to move to the middle to directly compete with Dell and HP.
Design innovation:
Put additional emphasis on design development with internalresource allocation to continue to lead the industry in design.
Research user interface possibilities:
As a mode of setting Mac computers apart fromother PCs Apple must continue to innovate in user interface focusing on easy-of-use andintuitive menu functions.
Expand Apple store locations:
Providing more points of direct contact with buyers willenable Apple to provide better service to customers and bring the Apple experience tomore people.
Create a differentiation strategy:
The commodity PC market presents a perpetualdownward pressure on prices, which erodes firm profitability. Developing and brandimage that separates the firm from the competitive rat race will reduce the effect of destructive competition and pad margins.
Develop close relationships with suppliers:
Because there are few suppliers of keycomponents required in PC manufacturing developing close relationships with suppliersis of utmost importance. Rather than searching for the supplier of lowest cost,maintaining a collaborative and exclusive business relationship will help mitigate thepower of suppliers and help to lock in attractive component prices.
Consumer electronics diversification:
While the PC market has grown increasinglycrowded with competitors and customers saturated other areas of consumer electronicscontinue to grow. Developing complementary products in other categories providesbroader sources of revenue by accessing more customers in markets with less

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