Essay on Case: How Apple’s Corporate Strategy Drives High Growth

Revenues are recognized in a net basis and only commissions they retain from each sale are reflected under the company’s financial statements.

Apple Inc. started off as a small computer company and rose to prominence over the following years. They faced great challenges and obstacles to evolve and become one of the top notch corporations today. Having a great CEO, Steve Jobs, is credited for the success of Apple. Under the leadership of Steve Jobs, Apple was able to innovate industry changing technology.

Apple is a software company that manufactures phones, computers, iPad and software’s, Apple was founded by Steven Paul Jobs, Ronald Gerald Wayne, and Stephen G. Wozniak on April 1, 1976 and is headquartered in Cupertino, CA. It was incorporated as Apple Computer, Inc. in January 1977, and was renamed as Apple Inc. in January 2007, Apple became the first U.S. company to be valued at over 700 billion dollars. Apple’s first products was Apple I personal computer kit and which was manufactured in July 1976, Apple has changed its logo 3 times, Apple used to be the largest publicly traded corporation in the world by market capitalization and it had an estimated value of 530 billion dollars as of February 2016. The CEO of Apple is Tim Cook, Tim Cook had been working for IBM for 12 years and then in 1994 he became a chief operating officer at Intelligent Electronics, and in 1997 The Compaq Computer Corporation hired Cook as vice president of corporate materials. Tim Cook joined Apple in 1998 which was before they had developed iMac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod. When Cook started working for apple he was responsible for managing all sales and operations for the company worldwide. In 2011, Tim Cook was named Apple 's new CEO, he took over the position for former CEO and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

Apple Inc. has been dedicated to innovation ever since the company was first formed. Apple's recent breakthroughs were a result of a new technologies convergence upon the "digital hub" strategy (Mortensen, 2010). This strategy has served Apple well; especially during the last few years. The iPad, iPod, and iPhone were all born from this strategy. Furthermore, producing these innovative, user friendly, and design oriented products has earned them a considerable amount of customer loyalty.

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.

Based in Cupertino, California, Apple Inc. has become one of the titans of the technological industry in the 39 years since it was created in the spring of 1976. This growing company employees over 115,000 people and has 450 retail stores in 16 different countries. With an annual revenue of $233 billion in 2015 Apple Inc. is the most prosperous technological company in the world. Along with its many retail locations Apple also runs the online Apple Store making it a truly global brand. Over the years Apple has expanded their product line; in its infancy the company specialized in personal computers but more recently the main product line is phones and tablets. Apple’s other significant products include computer software and other consumer electronics (iPod, Apple Watch, and Apple computers).

Apple, incorporated. Created by innovative CEO Steve jobs (who recently passed away) and with the support of Steve Wozniak, is now a multinational corporation that’s focuses on consumer electronics, computer software, and commercial servers. With its broad line of revenue including: the apple computer, iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Mac apple strived for success with the idea to reach all consumers as its target market. The company started from Steve Jobs parent’s garage to its first building in Cupertino, California in 1977. The first computer (Apple I) was created in 1976 and sold to a local computer store called “The Byte Shop” offered at 500 dollars per assembled computer. This became the first computer to display text at 60 characters per

In 2000 the digital music was the next big thing in how consumers listen to music. The technological shift in music changed how the relationship is between the artists, recording companies, promoters and music stores on how they operate today. In the late 90’s and early 2000’s Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks allowed free exchange of music files with companies like Napster and Kazaa was a big step that allowed consumers to store large libraries of music. With the cost of hard drive space going down; it allowed for pocket-sized computers to store more information in a smaller space that open the door for apple to step in with the unveiling of the iPod and iTunes. These systems made it possible for storage and playback that gave consumers the

Apple Corporation was initially operating into the personal computer arena but later diversified into other segments. The change was brought by changes in management and differences in views that were coupled with missed opportunities resulting in loss of competitive advantages. The company currently operates in the music and personal computer industry as part of its initiative to continue providing innovative products for its customers. Despite venturing into different industries to enhance competitive advantages, the corporation is still confronted by intense opposition across all its business segments or industries. The aggressive competition is mainly because the markets for personal computers, mobile communication devices, consumer electronics, and digital music services are increasingly competitive. The competitiveness of these markets is also attributed to the rapid technological advancements that constantly increase the capabilities of these devices. In light of the increased competition, the Apple Corporation needs to develop and establish measures for sustaining competitive advantage with evolving external environment and executive succession.

Even though Apple has encountered many setbacks, it continues to bring new and improve products to the market. Apple’s competitive strategy has been innovation. They have made an extraordinary effort developing, implementing, and executing its very unique strategy through innovation which has resulted in new product, and the enrichment of the existing ones. More specifically, Apple attempts to meet and supply the needs of a global market, by offering eager and enthusiastic consumers with innovated and high-quality products and services. Apple has employed a differentiation strategy linked to innovation with its three core products (computers, personal media player, mobile phones, tablets and other accessories). A key piece of their strategy involves meeting the needs of the converging digital electronics and computer markets. Apple has elected to implement its strategy by designing and developing proprietary operating systems and software technologies, thus allowing for strict protection of its intellectual rights.

1. What are the chief elements of Apple’s overall competitive strategy? How well do the pieces fit together? Is the strategy evolving?

It is beyond all doubt that Apple Inc is one of the most successful and well-known companied all over the world nowadays. What’s more, the company is considered to be the leader of the industry The Apple products are of high quality and in high demand on all the markets. Apple services and stores are the gold standards for all the followers and niche players of the industry. Moreover, the majority of Apple customers are extremely loyal to the brands. Once they started using its high-technical products they keep doing it. At the same time the market share of the company is increasing constantly. Probably all the competitors are questioning what is the key to Apple Company’s success. It is important to note that the whole strategy determines the success of the business and the strategic analysis of the company can help to identify the main criteria. Thus, the object of the research paper is to develop a strategic analysis of Apple Inc, including its internal and external environment.

Apple Inc. is a globally recognised pioneer in the tech industry. It is a corporation that designs, develops and sells electronic products such as tablets, computers and phones. Founded by Ronald Wayne, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976, it is a multinational corporation with headquarters in Cupertino, California. Tim Cook has been CEO since Jobs’ passing in 2011.

Apple Inc. has launched its iPhone in January 2007 (telegraph) as a new product in the market with latest technology and it was the first multi touch smartphone adding the feature of iPod and received an overwhelmed response by selling 270000 units. It had created a new record for a new company like apple, iPhone had laid a stepping stone for the success of Apple and till this time iPhone is the best seller product of Apple Inc. during first quarter of 2016 apple has sold over 74 million iPhones worldwide. (statista, 2016).

This paper presents a case study of Apple Inc. Apple Inc. is a technology based corporation with emphasis on computer software and hardware (MAC and Apps), tablets (IPad), smart phones (IPhone), and mp3 plays, (ITouch). Apple Inc. has grown tremendously over the years and ever since 2001 has expanded its brand and retail stores to over 375 stores/outlets globally. The business has seventy two thousand eight hundred employees in thirty eight countries. Apple Inc. has truly become one of the most efficacious corporations within its field behind or competing with Microsoft and Google Inc.