Apple Cook Case

Apple Inc, best known as Apple is an American based global company that designs and sells electronics, PCs and computer software. The company was established in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak and was incorporated in 1977. Some of the Apple’s best-known products are the Macintosh range of personal computers, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. By 2012, Apple reported to have more than 300 retail stores located in more than 10 countries in the world and more than 60, 000 employees on permanent employment, and about 2,800 on temporal employment. Despite the success the company, Apple has faced hard competition from other electronics manufacturing companies. The objective of this paper is to develop a strategic plan that will enable Apple improve its position in the personal computer industry. The paper will use Michael Porter’s forces; key success factors, SWOT analysis and the competitive strength to point out specific, workable recommendations that will allow Apple stay afloat and improve its position in the personal computer industry (Gamble & Marino 2012).

One key element of Apple’s strategy in computers, personal media players, tablet computers, and smart phones is product innovation, diversification and development. Over the years Apple has been very successful in integrating software and hardware in new developing products. Despite the struggling economy in recent years, Apple has been able to grow their market share and stay ahead of the game.

Apple as explained above was founded by Wozniak and Jobs who began with the first edition of the Apple computer where for startup cash, they sold a van and used Job’s family garage as their shop premises in Los Altos, California This same garage harbored the great development of ideas and innovation techniques that resulted in the success of Apple till today (Mittan, 2010). Wozniak was the brilliant mind that invented the Apple computer while Jobs advertised and located a buyer for their first computer. From the same garage, they made and sold fifty computers that represented the commencement of Apple’s product line

Apple was established as an IT company dealing in exclusively in computers. However, competition in the technology sector forced the firm to focus on other consumer products. The diversification strategy has seen Apple’s sales grow tremendously in the last decade, earning the firm the No. 1 brand position at Forbes. The Apple brand is recognized on an international scale and enjoys a strong recognition thanks to its aggressiveness when it comes to creativity and innovation (Tar, 2013). It has a large number of loyal customers who would purchase the new products regardless of the market price, which guarantees profits from the new division.

Apple has prospered internally and it is necessary to consider both strengths and weaknesses. Apple has lots of strengths, the major of them being it’s impressive brand reputation, Apple managed to position the brand as “premium products” for “elite” people. Customers are loyal and tend to stay in Apple’s ecosystem. Apple’s self-reinforcing ecosystem, it has a diverse ecosystem which integrates various hardware and software products into one large interactive space. Status of top innovator, Apple is perceived as the leading innovator and its products are highly anticipated. Apple’s very strong financial performance, high profit margins and very high liquidity. It’s network of retail stores, high-quality customer service helps to create advanced user experience. A powerful marketing strategy, Apple’s team masterly uses various marketing techniques to create a hype for their products and to strengthen the brand.

The multi billion-dollar corporation, Apple Inc., designs and manufactures some of today’s highest technological gizmos and gadgets. Among their best known products are the Apple and Macintosh computers, iPods, iTunes, iPhones and iPads. Apple is one of the most powerful and influential high tech companies in the world. The success of Apple Inc. stems from the innovation and visions of co-founder and entrepreneur, Steve Jobs, the excellence of the stylish, user-friendly products, and the ability to create innovative products that consumer’s desire.

As the business manager of the Apple Corporation, I would need to look at the business and determine who are my direct competitors and determine where I am going to seek opportunities for a competitive advantage in some aspects of the business. It is impossible to speak of Apple and not associate the vision, charisma, and innovation of Steve Jobs (http://www.biography.com/people/steve-jobs-9354805#synopsis). He

Steve Jobs , Steve Woznaik and Ronald Wayne founded Apple on 1st of April 1976 to develop as well as sell PCs. Initially it was called the Apple Computer INC but was later renamed to Apple Inc on 9th January 2007. This was done to position the company and shift its focus towards consumer electronics from being a computer company. It is an American MNC headquartered in Cupertino,California. Apple develops and designs its own range of products and follows a ‘close door policy’. Some of its best known products are Mac PCs, iPod, iPhone, IPad, iCloud, iTunes, Safari, Siri, and App Store etc. In 1998, Jobs reshaped Apple, with senior managers who had a enriched

Apple Inc. is a corporation that designs and manufactures computer hardware, software and other consumer electronic products. The company is known for the Macintosh personal computers, iTunes media applications and the iPod personal music players. Apple was founded in April 1976 by Steven Wozniak and Steve Jobs, both college dropouts. In 1976, Wozniak and Jobs created the Apple I computer which did not have a keyboard or power supply for a computer hobbyist club. Later that summer Wozniak started his development of the Apple II, which

Stephen Woziniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple Computer in 1976, which was called the Apple I, then in year 1978 just two years after, Apple II was introduced. More than 10,000 units were sold which relatively was a success, Macintosh (Mac), which dramatically change personal computer. iMac, iBook, iPod, iPad, iPhone, and other come from the lineage of Apple.

By doing this, Apple could predict demand and delivering products on time, which is crucial in the technology industry where new products could cannibalize existing offerings. (O’Brien) In 2004 for several months served as CEO of Apple, while Jobs battled with health issues, and in 2007 Jobs promoted Cook to COO and in 2011, Jobs pushed for Cook to become his successor. (O’Brien)

Some of the weaknesses that Apple was able to pinpoint was their high prices and incompatibility with different operating systems. Since Apple already has a great deal of loyal customers Apple could combat this weakness and provide its customers with a reasonably priced compatible product, thus keeping and retaining more Apple Customers.

Despite this Mac has continued to gain popularity in the market. It 's programs have proved to be more stable than Windows, as a result of this hardware for the systems generally last longer as well. This is due to the fact that Mac systems have more features that monitor and regulate the activities, temperatures, and functions that can wear a system down faster. Mac computers also become known for their vivid aqua screen. Because of this many graphic designers, special effects editors, and even musicians have switched to using Mac computers. Even despite their price, which to this day remains higher than the competition, Mac still shares a steady part of the market and its popularity continues to grow. One of the biggest things that has kept Apple very competitive in the market is their version of the tablet. They have also developed the iPhone and the iPod. Apple was the first to not only create these devices but also they made these devices work with each other in a way that no other company has done with any of their devices before.

* Easy use of the electronics has led to an image problem for Apple products; some people consider the Macintosh as a toy.

Apple Inc. is a multinational corporation that specializes in the production of consumer and business computers, electronics, and software. The company was established on April 1, 1976 by three individuals named Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. It was then incorporated on January 3, 1977 and was initially known as Apple Computer, Inc. for 30 years thereafter, until it was changed to Apple Inc. on January 9, 2007, so as to include a more diverse line of products to the market than just computers, as the former name suggested.