Apple - Hambrick and Fredickson 5 Element Strategy

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).

Apple Inc manufactures both hardware and software uniquely with methods of their own. Apple’s computer operating system is highly secured and is not subject to viruses and hackers and the products are designed to be concerned about the consumers’ style life. Apple is successful with their marketing is this is because of Apple build strong name and image in the market. Apple’s products are different as mentioned and it has a lot of unique features. This is another method of Apple doing marketing.

Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and manufactures consumer electronics and computer software products. The

Apple is a multinational cooperation renowned for designing, developing and selling consumer electronics and software. Apple is one of the largest revenue making companies in the world. Apple has a competitive advantage over companies such as Samsung, Blackberry

Each company has its own way of nabbing the spotlight from competitors. Apple is intensely secretive about its products, so secretive that not even the workers know what they are working on. This gives Apple a leg up on competitors, when they came up with the iPhone design nobody knew what they were up to, and then it took other companies trying to steal apples spot light longer to come up with a product similar. Apple is not like every other company in the same market, like Microsoft, instead they stepped out of the norm. Everything is created in house and while some products work with others like iPods and PC, they will work best with apple products. This creates customer loyalties: if someone buys a Mac is most likely going to buy an iPhone or an iPod. It is unlike any other computer company. Microsoft for example has to get other companies to create hardware or software to be compatible with its products. Apple operates within its self, making it the firm to beat.

One can say that Apple has a great technology in their products, Apple makes new products if it’s can do better. Apple always make batter that’s why competitor scares most ( Bajarin, 2012). Apple start with their first product Apple 1, from that day Apple always make something different in their new products. Apple target the youngster beacause youngster like

Apple's main strategy was innovation. They had research and development working around the clock developing products tailored to specific individual's needs. They had a different computer for each type of consumer, a different media player, as well as smartphone. Their goal was not to be the best at one individual thing, but to be a serious competitor in every market. This field is constantly evolving due to consumer demand as well as increases in technology and new innovations. Another key strategy here is brand loyalty. By making their products so unique and compatible it created a halo effect. Customers have been switching all of their electronic devices to Apple's line after having just an iPhone or even an iPod media player. Many though Apple's premium pricing was going to keep them behind in the game although that didn't seem to be the case. Even though Apple was charging significantly more than their P.C. counterpart, they managed to keep a top seat in the market. Apple's iPod was so game breaking that iPod became the generic name for media player throughout the world. They weren't

Apple is focus on niche market, which is targeted on the people who have special demands for technological products. Apple tailors its

The Samsung is very known in the market now a days. It compares their product with apple company. They see to it that all the apple product with their feature and compare their product with them. After comparing that, they try to compare them with all the features.

Apple’s investment in research and development, brand image which is well recognized globally, stable financial performance and growth rate, own variety loyal customers and finally large economic scale. On the other side, Apple products such as Apple TV, Apple watch and other products are too expensive with lower quality compare to the competitors. Their industry is centralized and dependent on IPhone. The promotions of Apple are one of another weakness compare to other competitors. However, Apple has variety of opportunities to cover those weaknesses. Their strong brand image can attract customer’s attention and target market in China which is the fastest growing market. Apple need to be careful about emerging imitation products with cheaper price since their products are expensive. The number of competitors has been increased globally and it is intensive that other competitors bring out with new

Apple, a company which has been market leader in their market which is monopolistic competition (A market structure where huge firms produce similar good which are differentiated. The entry barriers are low and the market is competitive.). They have been marketing all about their innovation. Why someone buys an Apple? Some consumers and economist say because of their innovativeness and newest technology but they forgot one point it’s a status symbol, they have put the bar high. In monopolistic competition branding is done. It is about firms showing the customers that how their product is better than

Cost, because cost is so important to Apple, the company has outsourced the manufacturing process of their products. Apple 's products are assembled in massive factory complexes in China, run

Companies need consider the market segment in external environment. Apple did not success at the beginning. It had come out a computer which has high quality and high price, but in the demand is very low because at that time the customer prefer normal product. In 21st century, the life style has already changed. Hence, customers like to get distinctive products.

Apple is a multinational technology company that designs, develops and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services.

Apple has a very strong and well recognised brand. All of Apple’s products have a very high level of brand awareness and are recognised in all of the markets in which it operates. The evidence of this high brand recognition and awareness can be found by taking a look at the at the sales figure and revenue that Apple generates, For example, the iPad managed to gross in about $5 billion and unit sales of about 7.5 million in 2010, going on to sell a further 7.33 million units in the first quarter of 2011. Another example is the 93% rise in the net sales of the iPhone to generate revenue of about $25.2 billion in the year 2010. Apple’s brand recognition and awareness enables the company to set