Core Functional Areas Of Apple Inc

The company has been functioning well in terms of generating profit and demand so far. However, there will be a 20% increase in demand for the next month of operations as predicted by management, and the production and supply management's problems may come as a problem they can no longer afford.

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 uses a very own made image that can be apart from the other companies that share the same market. That images helps the target people to differentiate the products, for example, there are many kinds of media player, but the apples’ media player are known as one of the best, with a sound resolution that exceed the competition, making that product wanted by a large slice of the market. That same differentiation can also be seen in every Apple’s products. Apple is one of the best examples when talking about differentiation of products.

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).

Job descriptions are a vital part of recruiting and managing employees. These written summaries of jobs ensure that applicants and current employees have clear understanding of their roles and what is expected of them in order to be held accountable. Despite the various job descriptions and posts for new hire, it is imperative that job descriptions be thoroughly written because it will help employees understand the major areas of their job or position and also help attract the right candidates for the job. In this essay, I will be writing on the components of job description with emphasis on the role of Operations Manager with careful analysis of the important facts about the job with respect to the tasks, tools and technology, knowledge,

The main functional areas of a business are marketing, human resource, finance, information systems and production. All these interact with each other in different ways but all contribute to effective management. Management would not be completely effective if one of the above areas are missing. They are all needed in different ways to make sure that the business reaches objectives, achieves effectiveness and efficiency and while doing this trying to get a balance in which they can satisfy different stakeholders.

In this executive summary, The Goal by Goldratt will be analyzed in detail. First, 10 operations management decisions as found on page 7 of the Heizer and Render textbook will be listed in column 1. Next, for each OM decision, examples from The Goal textbook that exemplify the type of problem or solution relevant to the OM area will be summarized in column 2. Finally, a scenario from my work life will be exemplified in column 3.

Apple came back from near extinction to become one of the most revered technology companies in recent memory. They achieved this status by developing innovative design products and pushing the limits of their marketing prowess. Apple is known for their ability to listen to consumers and revolutionize market segments by providing modern design laden and feature rich alternatives to the target markets. They employ strategies that might contradict normal convention by keeping their prices high to build a brand image of prestige and promote their products through word of mouth. The impact on marketing is hugely noticeable by other companies following suit with store models

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.

“Apple uses promotional and advertising tools to capture the attention, interest, and desire of the consumer. Apple captures our attention and interest through innovating and sleek imagery of their products on Apple's official website as well as keynotes and other publication” (Villefranche, 2011). For example Apple just released the I phone 5 which was highly anticipated and the publicity that Apple had prior to the release was tremendous and also brought in many new customers. It has been said that the first weekend the I phone 5 was available they sold 5 million phones. Apple made a plan and set up objectives and goals that they desired. Through integrated marketing they have met those goals and it allows for them to set higher goals and reach them as well. Apple also knows their competitors very well and this allows them to be in this market and compete very well.

Apple Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets personal computers, mobile communication devices, and portable digital music and video players and sells a variety of related software, services, peripherals, and networking solutions. The Company sells its products worldwide through its online stores, its retail stores, its direct sales force, and third-party wholesalers, resellers, and value-added resellers. (Source: Company Form 10-K)

Functional Areas - The functional areas are the specialist areas of activity within an organisation. These include:

Apple has a vertically integrated business model, meaning that they are involved in nearly every step of the production process for Apple products. The hardware they produce can be accompanied by a variety of Apple brand accessory components consumers may wish to use with their Apple device. The most popular Apple devices include iPod, iPhone, iPad, MacBook and AppleTV. Apple products run on their own unique operating system, which sets them apart in the industry from other personal

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.

This paper aims to highlight and discuss the major challenges and opportunities which Apple Inc. faces while bringing innovation in the four primary areas of its business operations; including product innovation, process innovation, marketing innovation, and organizational innovation. The major focus of the paper is towards discussing the combination of all these processes which this organization follows and the major challenges which it faces in the course of its innovation or change strategies. The paper concludes by summarizing the importance of innovation for Apple Inc. in the light of the whole discussion.