Company Analysis
Company Overview
Incorporated in 1977, Apple Inc. started as a partnership between Steve Jobs and John Wozniak. They started out making a box that could make long distance calls at no cost. This grew into creating computers (known as the Macintosh) and continued to grow into one of the top smartphone sellers today with a strong base of loyal customers. Currently operating both domestically and internationally, Apple specializes in mobile technologies such as laptops (Macbook), cell phones (iPhone), music players(iPod), etc. According to the Apple company website, they strive to be a “reflection of the world around [them]” (Diversity). This shows Apple is working to diversify their workforce, but it also can tie into them creating or improving their products to fit their current customers’ needs. Apple uses 99% recycled paper to make their packaging to help reduce waste and uses over 90% of renewable energy to power their operations (Environment). This shows dedication to helping improve the environment which is of great concern in society today. Overall, Apple is a company dedicated to not only making products that satisfy their customers, but they put great thought in the process of making the products by trying to reduce their carbon footprint and create a diverse workplace.
Industry Analysis
Legal/Economic:
Tax laws recently changed in Europe causing some companies to have to pay back taxes.
Tariffs on IPhones in Europe can get up to around 20%.
Apple is a global company represented in many parts of the world, but born in the United States by computer wizards by the names of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak who founded the company back in 1976 (Capon, 2008). The organization deals with the design and sale of computer hardware, software and offers tech support to its customers. Examples of the hardware the company manufactures and sells include mobile phones, personal computers, iPads, tablets and iTunes with associated brands, like the MacBook and iPhones that represent Apple’s driving force towards its success. It is recognized as a brand leader in consumer electronics by the world in terms of quality and customer satisfaction and despite the wide product range, Apple manages each product in a distinct way that is a single business unit (Mittan, 2010).
Apple is company that enjoys one of the highest stock prices of any publicly traded company in today’s market. In the past year Apple stock prices have ranged from $103.13 to $161.6 in the past year alone (Yahoo Finance 2017). With Apple stock, there are trends during each calendar year that can cause the price to fluctuate. During the months of July and August we can see that the price of stock starts to rise. This could be attributed to time where school is beginning to start up again for that year. During this time, we see massive spending on supplies and equipment that students need to be successful in the classroom. One of these items that we see becoming an increasingly important part of education is a computer. Because of this, we see an increase in the sale of MacBook’s as students head back to school. Another trend that we see during the summer is the apple keynote convention. During this convention, Apple reveals new products to be released later that year. The iPhone 7 debut was envisioned as an industry changing configuration with only one
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.
Our group decided to analyse the company Apple Inc., listed on Nasdaq Market as AAPL. The analysis was mainly based on the annual financial report of the company for the fiscal year ended on September 29th 2007. Apple Inc. is today one of the most
Apple, Inc. (formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc.) was incorporated in the State of California in 1977. Apple currently designs, manufactures, and markets a variety of computer and personal electronic products, including Macintosh computers, and the iPod digital music player. AppleÕs key markets are consumers, creative professionals, educational institutions, and business users.
The financial analysis expressed in this paper shows a comparison of two large firms in the communication and technology industry. Microsoft and Apple Inc. both deal in telecommunication gadgets and accessories within the United States and around the world. The paper focuses on the financial comparison of the two companies for two fiscal years of the year 2014 and 2015. A close analysis of the financial ratios is employed in bringing up the comparison. These rates are derived from the balance sheet and statement of income of both firms.
Apple, Inc. (APPL) operates under a fiscal year accounting period. This period consists of the 52 (or 53) week period that ends on the last Saturday of September. September 25 was the specific date observed as the end of the annual reporting period for 2009 and 2010. Every six years Apple adds an additional week in its first fiscal quarter in an effort to realign its fiscal quarters with calendar quarter.
The iPod and iTunes drastically changed the music business and the way we interact with our music players.
The company started off as “Apple Computer,” best known for its Macintosh personal computers (PCs) in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Despite a strong brand, rapid growth, and high profits in the late 1980s, Apple almost went bankrupt in 1996 (Kim & Yoffie, 2010, p.1). This can be explained that Apple has become larger and more significant than other competitors put together in 1980. Because Apple failed to innovate in 1996, the company almost went bankruptcy but eventually Steve Jobs took Apple from bad situation to the company that can make billions of dollars through promoted itself as a hip alternative to other computer brands. Apple highlighted its computers as the world’s “greenest lineup of notebooks” that were energy efficient and used recyclable materials. The goal was to differentiate the Macintosh amid intense competition in the PC industry (Kim & Yoffie, p.4).
Introduction The intention of presenting this report is to give a full strategic appraisal and evaluation of Apple Inc. In 1976, the company was founded in a garage in Santa Clara, California. The American multinational corporation mainly involves in designing and marketing consumer electronics, computer software and as well as personal computers. Differentiation is the current strategy position of Apple Inc. There are five main firms in the PC industry and among them; the world’s leading brand is Dell. Apple’s major target is to sustain their present strategic position and to take over the market position as a leader. The key stakeholders include Steve Jobs, employees, lenders and the government.
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. 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).
It is important to understand the background of the board members of Apple Computers to understand the impact they have on the company. Tim Cook, William V. Campbell Millard Drexler, Albert Gore Jr and Andrea Jung are all crucial board members that impact Apple Computers daily operations.
In this reflection paper I’m going to talk about two topics. There are designing and managing the product and promoting product.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Customer relation management (CRM) is a cross functional enterprise system that computerizes numerous customers serving form in direct marketing, sales, customer service and accounting management. CRM allows a company to distinguish and focus on their best customer so that they can be held as a loyal customer for a longer period of time.